ROBERT D. SCHMITT ELECTED TO COMMERCE BANK'S ADVISORY BOARD

Leavenworth, KS - September 16, 2002 - Commerce Bank announced the election of Robert D. Schmitt, III, to the Leavenworth Advisory Board of Directors. Mr. Schmitt is the owner and operator of Mr. Goodcents Subs and Pastas.

"We are delighted Rob has joined our Commerce Bank Board," said Bill Petrie, community president of Commerce Bank, Leavenworth. "He will bring a wealth of experience and valuable insights to the Board, as we strive to be the preferred provider of financial solutions in the Leavenworth area."

About Commerce Bank, N.A.
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $12.3 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 135 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management and estate planning and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce Bancshares operates across three states with more than 330 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For more information contact:
Rebecca Freetly-Graber
Marketing Officer
Regional Marketing Rep., Commerce Bank
816-234-2308

Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH

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