(Kansas City, MO December 21, 2001) - The Board of Directors of Commerce Bank, Kansas City, announced the following officer promotion and elections.

Connie S. Shearer has been promoted to Vice President, Manager of International Systems, in the International Department of the Bank. In this capacity, she is responsible for the daily operations of the International Department systems. Ms.Shearer has been with Commerce Bank, in international banking for 19 years and in banking for 29 years.

Rebecca Freetly-Graber has been elected to Marketing Officer, Regional Marketing Representative, in the Bank's Marketing Department. Her responsibilities include planning and managing marketing communication projects within the Kansas City region. Prior to joining Commerce Bank in 2000, Ms. Freetly-Graber worked as an Account Executive for The Kansas City Star. She received her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from Central Missouri State University.

Tom Shaffer has been elected an Officer in the Bank's Retail Lending and Payment Systems (RLPS) Division. As an Assistant Manager of Project Management in RLPS Servicing, he is responsible for planning and implementing projects for the consumer loan area. Mr. Shaffer joined Commerce Bank in February 2001. He is a graduate of the University of Missouri, Columbia with a Bachelor of Health Services degree and of Baker University, with a Master of Business Administration Degree.

Larry W. Glavin has been elected a Trust Officer in the Commerce Trust Company, a division of Commerce Bank. Mr. Glavin serves as a trust administrator, where he oversees his client's custody accounts. He has been with Commerce Bank since 1985, serving in several capacities, most recently as an Administrative Assistant in the Trust Company.

Commerce Bank is an affiliate 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 342 locations in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois. 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, Regional Marketing
816-234-2632
nancy.levin@commercebank.com

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

SYMBOL: CBSH

# # #