GEESON JOINS COMMERCE BANK, MEXICO AS COMMERCIAL LOAN OFFICER

MEXICO, MO - October 4, 2002 - Ron Hopkins, community president of Commerce Bank, Mexico, today announced that Todd Geeson has joined Commerce Bank as Commercial Loan Officer. Geeson has 16 years of experience in banking and commercial lending. He previously served as a commercial lender for a community bank and regional bank holding company branch in the Mexico market.

A 1984 graduate of the University of Missouri - Columbia, with a B.S. degree in Agricultural Economics, Geeson's responsibilities include business development and customer service related to Commerce's commercial and agricultural lending and business banking services. Active in civic and charitable organizations, he is past campaign chairman, United Way; past officer, board member and chairman, Mexico Jaycees; past board member and current committee chairman, Mexico Chamber of Commerce; past president, Eugene Field School PTO; member, Rotary Club; and member, board of trustees, Audrain Medical Center. Geeson's awards and honors include 1994 Korea GSE Team member, Rotary International; and he was selected as one of 1997's Ten Outstanding Young Missourians by the Missouri Jaycees.

"We are extremely pleased to have Todd join the commercial lending team at Commerce," stated Hopkins. "His experience and strong focus on community fit our culture and core values."

About Commerce Bank
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:
Susan Kirkman
Regional Marketing Manager
417-837-5333

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

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