The Plains State Bank to Buy Commerce Bank in Lakin, KS

Business Wire, Nov 5, 2008

PLAINS, Kan. -- The Plains State Bank (PSB) announced today that it has entered into an agreement with Commerce Bank N.A. (NASDAQ:CBSH) to acquire the Commerce Bank location and ATM in Lakin, Kansas. It is anticipated that the transfer of the purchase of the branch facility, ATM and core deposits will take place in first quarter 2009 (subject to regulatory approval). Commerce Bank will continue to service all loans, brokerage and trust account relationships and certificates of deposit over $100,000 from its Garden City location, as only the deposit relationships and the branch location are being sold.

"The Plains State Bank is extremely pleased about this opportunity in Lakin," said Kirk Friend, president of The Plains State Bank. "We reached a point in our growth where we required more space and purchasing this facility nicely meets our needs to support the community of Lakin." Rich Harp, president of Commerce Bank, Garden City Region, added, "Lakin is a strong community and they will be well-served by The Plains State Bank. They are a good fit and the branch will be in capable hands. Commerce Bank will continue to service our Kearny County loan, brokerage and trust customers from our nearby Garden City locations. Our many products, including remote deposit and online banking, will allow us to continue providing the same high level service we have always provided the Kearny County community."

About The Plains State Bank

The Plains State Bank is a privately held, $80 million banking institution with banking facilities in Plains and Lakin, KS. In this era of mergers and acquisitions, a home town bank that has weathered the changes of time for an entire century is a monument in itself to the pioneer spirit possessed by the Collingwood family who founded it so many years ago. The bank has grown with the town of Plains, supporting it not only financially, but being there for its citizens in good times and bad, becoming a cornerstone of this dynamic Southwest Kansas community. The Plains State Bank offers consumer and business banking services, including online banking, to meet customer needs today and in the future.

For additional information, please visit www.plainsstatebank.com.

About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), is a $17 billion regional bank holding company. For more than 140 years, Commerce has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses throughout the Midwest region. 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 maintains nearly 350 locations in the Central United States and also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, leasing, credit related insurance, venture capital and real estate activities.