PERRY JOINS COMMERCE BANK AS ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT & COMMERCIAL LENDER

CASSVILLE, MO - October 17, 2002 - Jon L. Horner, community president of Commerce Bank, Barry County, today announced that Roger Perry of Monett has joined the bank as Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender. Perry has 25 years of experience in banking and most recently served as commercial and agri-banking loan officer with Commerce Bank in Aurora. In his position, Perry is responsible for business development and customer service related to Commerce's commercial lending, agri-lending and business banking services in Barry County.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome an officer of Roger's caliber to our lending team at Commerce Bank," said Horner. "His strong focus on customer service and experience as a community banker fit our culture and core values."

A seasoned banking professional, Perry earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Business and Economics from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, in 1973. He has also successfully completed numerous banking and lending programs through the Missouri and American Bankers Associations.

Perry served as Vice President of the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and he is an active member of Monett First Baptist Church.

About Commerce Bank
Commerce Bank is the principal subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $13.2 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 340 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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