Commerce Bank Arrives in Houston

Houston - Commerce Bank announced today that it will expand its Texas footprint into the Houston Market, led by native Houstonian Sebastien Solar, Houston market president. Solar is joined by fellow Houston native and former Executive Director at JPMorgan Chase, Bobby Morgan, who will focus on growing the C&I banking team and new business development. In his capacity as market president, Solar will be responsible for setting market strategy, overseeing all commercial banking activities and managing the bank’s short and long-term investments in Houston.

Recognized by Forbes as one of the “Top Mid-Sized Employers” in the country and one of the “Best Banks in America,” Commerce Bank, a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), is a $24.6 billion regional bank holding company. Ranked by SNL Financial as the 34th largest U.S. bank by market cap, Commerce Bank maintains an expansive commercial banking presence and is currently ranked by Nilson as the 7th largest purchasing card issuer in the country. Moody’s ranks Commerce among the top 7 banks in the US with a baseline credit assessment (BCA) of a1. BCA reflects a bank’s standalone credit strength.

With more than 150 years of operating history, Commerce offers a ‘super-community’ banking experience that pairs products and services typically offered by the largest banks in America with the deep local market knowledge, experience and high-touch customer service you’d expect from a local community bank. Commerce is committed to serving the needs of its commercial customers in Houston with custom solutions including commercial lending, specialized healthcare solutions, equipment financing, commercial real estate financing and innovative payment offerings.

In making this announcement, Dennis Block, president of Commerce Bank’s Texas market said, “Commerce views Houston as a key growth market and is excited to bring its 150-year legacy of banking and community stewardship to the 4th largest city in the U.S. The reception to our relationship-based approach by the Texas business community after expanding to the Dallas market in 2012 has been nothing short of extraordinary. In just over 5 years, our local team of Dallas bankers has provided more than $750MM of credit commitments to help local business grow, while at the same time positively impacting the bottom-line of our clients through the delivery of innovative treasury solutions and sound advice.”

Block continued, “We have been closely monitoring the Houston market for years, and believe we now have two of the top bankers in Houston leading our local effort. Between Solar’s reputation as a banker, builder and community steward and Bobby’s track record serving clients with complex credit, cash management and international needs, we are well-positioned to begin building our team in Houston.”

Prior to joining Commerce, Solar served on the Houston leadership team of Bank of Texas, and as Vice President and U.S. Director of the Martime, Ports & Logistics vertical for JPMorgan Chase. Committed to serving his hometown community, Solar has led multiple corporate campaigns for the United Way and March of Dimes and currently serves on several local boards including: Houston Children’s Museum’s Executive Committee; Children at Risk Executive Committee; Houston Art Alliance’s Board of Directors; and the Herman Park Conservancy’s Advisory Board. Solar lives in Houston with his wife Rachel and two sons.

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank, is a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $24.6 billion regional bank holding company, as of March 31, 2018. For more than 150 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce provides a full range of financial products to consumer and commercial customers, including personal banking, lending, mortgage banking, wealth management, brokerage and capital markets services. Commerce operates in approximately 330 locations in the central United States and has a nationwide presence in the commercial payments industry.

For additional information, please visit www.commercebank.com