JOSEPH WILLIAMS III PROMOTED TO SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF THE COMMERCE TRUST COMPANY

(KANSAS CITY, MO, November 21, 2001) - Commerce Bank, Kansas City announced Mr. Joseph Williams III, CFA has been promoted to Senior Vice President of the Commerce Trust Company. His responsibilities include serving as Director of Equities, where he oversees the equity product lines and managing the Commerce Growth Fund. Mr. Williams also assists individual and institutional clients with investment needs as a Portfolio Manager. Mr. Williams has been with Commerce Bank for more than 26 years. He is currently a member of the Association for Investment Management and Research. Mr. Williams earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa.

The Commerce Trust Company, a division of Commerce Bank, N.A., is responsible for more than $18 billion in assets, including nearly $10 billion under active management. The Commerce Trust Company offers a full range of fully integrated private client services, including financial advisory, investment management, trust, lending and banking services. It also provides institutional trust and investment services to corporations, foundations, endowments, employee benefit plan sponsors, public funds and Taft-Hartley plans, as well as corporate debt administration services.

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:
Nancy E. Levin, APR
Director of Regional Marketing
816-234-2632

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

SYMBOL: CBSH

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