Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Net income	$ 66,814	$ 60,950
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized holding gains subsequent to initial OTTI recognition	5,420	6,475
Income tax expense	(2,060)	(2,461)
Net unrealized gains on OTTI securities	3,360	4,014
Other available for sale investment securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses)	6,319	(10,405)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income	(342)	(176)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities	5,977	(10,581)
Income tax (expense) benefit	(2,271)	4,021
Net unrealized gains (losses) on other securities	3,706	(6,560)
Prepaid pension cost:
Amortization of accumulated pension loss	730	540
Income tax expense	(278)	(205)
Pension loss amortization	452	335
Other comprehensive income (loss)	7,518	(2,211)
Comprehensive income	74,332	58,739
Non-controlling interest expense	(1,015)	(497)
Commerce Bancshares, Inc
Prepaid pension cost:
Other comprehensive income (loss)	$ 73,317	$ 58,242

Appreciation or loss in value (net of reclassification adjustment) of the total of unsold securities (excluding OTTI securities) during the period being reported on, net of tax. Reclassification adjustments include: (1) the unrealized holding gain or loss, net of tax, at the date of the transfer for a debt security from the held-to-maturity category transferred into the available-for-sale category. Also includes the unrealized gain or loss at the date of transfer for a debt security from the available-for-sale category transferred into the held-to-maturity category; (2) the unrealized gains or losses realized upon the sale of securities, after tax.

No definition available.