EL CENTRO RECEIVES $17,000 FOR JOHNSON COUNTY FACILITY

(Overland Park, KS November 12, 2001) - El Centro announced the receipt of a $17,000 grant from the William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee. The grant will support El Centro's emergency relief effort, job training, childcare facility and food pantry for the growing Hispanic population in Johnson County. On behalf of the Kemper foundation, Sherry Jones and Tom Carignan will present the grant on Thursday, November 15 at 11:30 a.m. at the Johnson County El Centro location, second floor of Metcalf South Mall at 95th and Metcalf.

"We are so fortunate to have El Centro in our community to help those in need," said Sherry Jones, Commerce Banker and El Centro board member. "The William T. Kemper Foundation and Commerce Bank are pleased to help provide funding to the expansion of the Johnson County facility."

El Centro is a social services agency that works closely with the Hispanic population to provide individual assistance and community development initiatives. El Centro was established in 1976 to exclusively address the needs of the Wyandotte County Hispanic population. In August 2001, El Centro opened its second facility in Johnson County to meet the growing demands for their services. The grant from the Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, will be applied to this initiative.

The William T. Kemper Foundation, Commerce Bank Trustee, was established in 1989 following Mr. Kemper's death. The foundation is dedicated to continuing Mr. Kemper's lifelong interest in improving the human condition and quality of life. The Foundation supports Midwest communities and concentrates on initiatives in education, health and human services, civic improvement and the arts.

Commerce Bank is a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., a registered bank holding company with assets of $12.3 billion offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in 341 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:
Rebecca Freetly-Graber
Regional Marketing Rep
(816) 234-2308

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

SYMBOL: CBSH

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