COMMERCE BANK LOWERS ITS PRIME RATE TO 5.5%

(ST. LOUIS, MO, October 2, 2001) - Effective tomorrow, Commerce Bank is lowering its prime interest rate from 6.0% to 5.50%.

Commerce Bank is an affiliate of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., a registered bank holding company with assets of $11.7 billion offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in 342 locations in Missouri, Illinois and Kansas. The Company also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.

For more information contact:
Charles Erker
Director of Public Relations
314-746-3760

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

SYMBOL: CBSH

# # #