COMMERCE BANK TO GIVE AWAY $1,000 A DAY

KANSAS CITY, MO - November 8, 2002 - Commerce Bank today announced that it will be giving away $1,000 a day in November and December as part of its "Skip the PIN, Sign and Win" sweepstakes that awards cash prizes to randomly selected sweepstakes entrants. A final grand prize of $25,000 will be awarded at the end of the year.

"The contest is now in its third year and we have awarded more than $200,000 to date," said Carl Bradbury, vice president and manager of student services and debit products for Commerce Bank. "We are extremely pleased with the contest's continued success because we are building awareness of the consumer benefits surrounding signature-based check-card transactions," Bradbury added.

Commerce Bank Visa® Check Card, ATM Plus Card, Platinum Check Card, CommerceOptions^SM Check Card and Business Check Card holders are automatically entered into the contest each time they use their Commerce Check Card and sign for their purchase rather than enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN). The more times a cardholder makes a signature-based transaction, then the more chances the customer will have to win.

Benefits of Signature-Based Debits
According to Bradbury, signature-based transactions have a number of measurable benefits of which check card holders may not be aware.

• Commerce Bank's Zero Liability Policy eliminates the customers' liability for any unauthorized transactions that might take place. Customers must notify Commerce Bank within 60 days of receiving a statement showing unauthorized account activity.
• The ability to dispute transactions allows customers to dispute purchases of goods and services that do not meet their expectations.

All Commerce Bank Visa Check Card customers who select "credit" and make signature-based purchases during this period are eligible. There is no waiting period for eligibility after a card is issued. Complete sweepstakes rules and alternative forms of entry are described at the Commerce Bank website at www.commercebank.com. No purchase is necessary to enter or win.

About Commerce Bank, N.A.
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:
Eliza Hamlet
Public Relations Representative
800-892-7100 ext. 1930

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

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