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(Belleville, IL, December 20, 2006) - Seth M. Leadbeater, chairman of Commerce Bank-St. Louis Region, announced today the promotion of Bruce Bone to president, Commerce Bank-Southwestern Illinois Region, effective January 2, 2007. In his new position, Bone will be responsible for managing the Southwestern Illinois region to support the bank’s sales strategies, growth goals and relationship management objectives. “I am pleased that Bruce Bone has been selected to assume the responsibilities for managing the Southwestern Illinois Region for Commerce Bank,” says Harry Cruncleton, chairman of Commerce Bank-Southwestern Illinois Region. “I have worked with Bruce for many years and have a great respect for his leadership abilities. I wish him the best in his new capacity. Bruce is a highly dedicated individual who will serve the needs of both the bank customers and the community at the highest level." Cruncleton will remain as chairman of the region.
Previously, Bone was chief operating officer of Commerce Bank-Southwestern Illinois Region. Prior to Commerce, Bone was executive vice president and chief financial officer of West Pointe Bank, which recently merged with Commerce Bank. During the Commerce-West Pointe merger, Bone served as the West Pointe team leader of the merger task force.
Bone is a Belleville native with over 30 years of banking experience. He also worked for Regions Financial Corporation and its predecessors. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois. Bone serves on the board of directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwestern Illinois, Illinois BancService Corporation, a division the Illinois Bankers Association, and is a member of the Optimist Club of Belleville.
Terry Schaefer, current president of Commerce Bank – Southwestern Illinois Region, is stepping down from day-to-day activities, but will remain with Commerce as a member of the Commerce Bank Southwestern Illinois Advisory Board. “Bruce has been with us since 1999 and is prepared to accept the responsibilities associated with the position,” says Schaefer. “I have the utmost confidence in Bruce to carry on our tradition of excellence and in providing care to our staff, customers and shareholders.”
“We are pleased to have someone with Bruce’s background and ability to assume the role as president,” commented Leadbeater. “Bruce knows the community very well and has a strong commitment to serving our customers in Southwestern Illinois.”
Commerce Bank has seven locations and twenty ATMs in Southwestern Illinois and a total of 55 Banking Centers and 100 ATMs in the St. Louis metropolitan area.
About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
Commerce Bancshares Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) is a $15.2 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 140 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 operates across three states in Missouri, Kansas and Illinois with nearly 360 locations and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jeanne Howard, Director of Regional Marketing
Commerce Bank, 314-746-3672, or
jeanne.howard@commercebank.com
Website: www.commercebank.com
e-mail: mymoney@commercebank.com
SYMBOL: CBSH
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