Exhibit 99.1

Exhibit 99.1

	CBSH
1000 Walnut Street / Suite 700 / Kansas City, Missouri 64106 / 816.234.2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. REPORTS

FIRST QUARTER EARNINGS PER SHARE OF $.44

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announced earnings of $.44 per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2020, compared to $.81 per share in the same quarter last year and $.93 per share in the fourth quarter of 2019. Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. for the first quarter of 2020 amounted to $51.9 million, compared to $97.1 million in the first quarter of 2019 and $106.9 million in the prior quarter. For the current quarter, the return on average assets was .80%, the return on average common equity was 6.48% and the efficiency ratio was 59.2%.

In announcing these results, John Kemper, Chief Executive Officer, said, “While the U.S. economy entered this quarter on solid footing, it is currently in an unprecedented state of uncertainty amid the global COVID-19 pandemic. Commerce is committed to being there for our customers in this difficult time. As part of this commitment, we are suspending foreclosure proceedings, offering fee waivers and providing relief through loan modification programs. To ensure we are positioned to serve our customers, we have mobilized a significant team of internal resources, redeploying branch teams to assist in our customer care center. We have similarly cross-trained other personnel to provide our commercial customers access to much needed funding through the Small Business Administration’s new Paycheck Protection Program. As of April 17, when the initial CARES Act allocation from this program was exhausted, we assisted 4,529 customers in securing approximately $1.5 billion of funding, with a median loan size of $64 thousand. Our industry-leading capital levels and steadfast commitment to sound credit policy enables us to be a source of strength to our employees, customers and communities in this period of uncertainty.”

Mr. Kemper continued, “For Commerce, a fundamentally sound financial quarter was impacted by two significant charges, stemming primarily from COVID-19 and the resulting economic outlook. First, the provision for credit losses was increased to recognize expected future losses on loans and unfunded lending commitments. Second, we recognized unrealized losses on our portfolio of private equity investments through our quarterly valuation process. Compared to the prior quarter, we experienced robust growth in average loans, driven mainly by commercial and personal real estate loans, even as auto and consumer credit card lending were seasonally lower. Net interest margin declined 3 basis points this quarter, holding up well in a challenging interest rate environment. Fee income totaled $123.7 million this quarter and reflected growth over the first quarter of 2019 in trust, capital market, deposit account, and bank card fees.”

Mr. Kemper continued, "This quarter net loan charge-offs totaled $10.9 million, compared to $15.2 million in the prior quarter and $11.7 million in the first quarter of 2019. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to average loans was .30% in the current quarter, .42% in the prior quarter and .34% in the first quarter of last year. Net loan charge-offs on commercial loans declined $3.5 million from the previous quarter and resulted in a net recovery this quarter, while net loan

Exhibit 99.1

charge-offs on personal banking loans decreased $883 thousand to $11.3 million, mostly the result of lower consumer loan losses. Non-performing assets totaled $11.1 million this quarter and remained at very low levels.

"On January 1, 2020, Commerce adopted the CECL accounting standard. At that time, economic conditions were stable and the economic forecast supporting our CECL model reflected the prevailingly benign credit environment. The day one adoption reduced our allowance for credit losses on loans $21.0 million and increased our liability for unfunded commitments $16.1 million, resulting in a net increase to retained earnings of $3.8 million, after tax. By the end of the quarter, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic forecast used in our CECL model became significantly more pessimistic. As a result, the provision for credit losses for the first three months of 2020 totaled $58.0 million, which includes a provision for credit losses for loans and for unfunded loan commitments. The provision for credit losses on loans totaled $42.9 million and exceeded net loan charge-offs by $32.0 million, while the provision for credit losses for unfunded commitments totaled $15.1 million. The allowance for credit losses on loans amounted to $171.7 million at March 31, 2020, or 1.14% of period end loans, while the liability for unfunded commitments totaled $32.3 million at March 31, 2020.”

Total assets at March 31, 2020 were $26.8 billion, total loans were $15.1 billion, and total deposits were $20.8 billion. During the quarter, the Company paid a common cash dividend of $.27 per share, representing an 8.9% increase over the rate paid in the fourth quarter of 2019, and also paid an annualized 6% cash dividend on its preferred stock. The Company purchased 869,692 of its common shares this quarter.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a regional bank holding company offering a full line of banking services, including payment solutions, investment management and securities brokerage. Commerce Bank, a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc., leverages more than 150 years of proven strength and experience to help individuals and businesses solve financial challenges. In addition to offering payment solutions across the U.S., Commerce Bank currently operates full service banking facilities across the Midwest including the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas, Springfield, Central Missouri, Central Illinois, Wichita, Tulsa, Oklahoma City, and Denver. It also maintains commercial offices in Dallas, Houston, Cincinnati, Nashville, Des Moines, Indianapolis, and Grand Rapids. Commerce delivers high-touch service and sophisticated financial solutions at regional branches, commercial offices, ATMs, online, mobile and through a 24/7 customer service line.

This financial news release, including management's discussion of first quarter results, is posted to the Company's web site atwww.commercebank.com.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For additional information, contact

Matthew Burkemper, Investor Relations

at 8000 Forsyth, Mailstop: CBIR-1

Clayton, MO 63105

or by telephone at (314) 746-7485

Web Site: http://www.commercebank.com

Email: matthew.burkemper@commercebank.com

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

	For the Three Months Ended
(Unaudited) (Dollars in thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			March 31, 2019
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
Net interest income	$201,065			$202,659			$203,488
Non-interest income	123,663			143,461			121,240
Total revenue	324,728			346,120			324,728
Investment securities losses, net	(13,301)			(248)			(925)
Provision for credit losses	57,953			15,206			12,463
Non-interest expense	193,698			195,174			191,425
Income before taxes	59,776			135,492			119,915
Income taxes	10,173			28,214			22,860
Non-controlling interest (income) expense	(2,254)			398			(83)
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.	51,857			106,880			97,138
Preferred stock dividends	2,250			2,250			2,250
Net income available to common shareholders	$49,607			$104,630			$94,888
Earnings per common share:
Net income — basic	$.44			$.94			$.81
Net income — diluted	$.44			$.93			$.81
Effective tax rate	16.40		%	20.88		%	19.05		%
Tax equivalent net interest income	$204,402			$206,156			$207,104
Average total interest earning assets (1)	$	24,691,014		$	24,372,575		$	23,874,861
Diluted wtd. average shares outstanding	111,375,938			112,011,108			115,816,037
RATIOS
Average loans to deposits (2)	72.57		%	71.73		%	70.96		%
Return on total average assets	.80			1.65			1.58
Return on average common equity(3)	6.48			13.90			13.64
Non-interest income to total revenue	38.08			41.45			37.34
Efficiency ratio (4)	59.17			56.29			58.76
Net yield on interest earning assets	3.33			3.36			3.52
EQUITY SUMMARY
Cash dividends per common share	$.270			$.248			$.248
Cash dividends on common stock	$30,292			$27,933			$28,858
Cash dividends on preferred stock	$2,250			$2,250			$2,250
Book value per common share (5)	$27.86			$26.70			$24.94
Market value per common share (5)	$50.35			$67.94			$55.30
High market value per common share	$71.92			$68.65			$60.97
Low market value per common share	$45.51			$54.56			$52.97
Common shares outstanding (5)	111,535,295			112,131,549			116,231,063
Tangible common equity to tangible assets (6)	11.13		%	10.99		%	11.06		%
Tier I leverage ratio	11.13		%	11.38		%	11.67		%
OTHER QTD INFORMATION
Number of bank/ATM locations	317			316			319
Full-time equivalent employees	4,854			4,858			4,841

(1)Excludes allowance for credit losses on loans and unrealized gains/(losses) on available for sale debt securities.

(2)Includes loans held for sale.

(3)Annualized net income available to common shareholders divided by average total equity less preferred stock.

(4)The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue.

(5)As of period end.

(6)The tangible common equity ratio is calculated as stockholders’ equity reduced by preferred stock, goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights) divided by total assets reduced by goodwill and other intangible assets (excluding mortgage servicing rights).

All share and per share amounts have been restated to reflect the 5% stock dividend distributed in December 2019.

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

	For the Three Months Ended
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		September 30, 2019		June 30, 2019		March 31, 2019
Interest income	$221,485		$226,665		$231,743		$238,412		$227,865
Interest expense	20,420		24,006		28,231		26,778		24,377
Net interest income	201,065		202,659		203,512		211,634		203,488
Provision for credit losses	57,953		15,206		10,963		11,806		12,463
Net interest income after credit losses	143,112		187,453		192,549		199,828		191,025
NON-INTEREST INCOME
Bank card transaction fees	40,200		41,079		44,510		42,646		39,644
Trust fees	39,965		40,405		39,592		38,375		37,256
Deposit account charges and other fees	23,677		24,974		24,032		23,959		23,018
Capital market fees	3,790		2,536		1,787		1,944		1,879
Consumer brokerage services	4,077		4,139		4,030		3,888		3,747
Loan fees and sales	3,235		3,465		4,755		4,238		3,309
Other	8,719		26,863		14,037		12,209		12,387
Total non-interest income	123,663		143,461		132,743		127,259		121,240
INVESTMENT SECURITIES GAINS (LOSSES), NET	(13,301)		(248)		4,909		(110)		(925)
NON-INTEREST EXPENSE
Salaries and employee benefits	128,937		126,901		123,836		120,062		122,128
Net occupancy	11,748		12,218		12,293		11,145		11,501
Equipment	4,821		4,859		4,941		4,790		4,471
Supplies and communication	4,658		4,851		5,106		5,275		5,162
Data processing and software	23,555		23,934		23,457		23,248		22,260
Marketing	5,979		3,951		6,048		6,015		5,900
Other	14,000		18,460		15,339		19,244		20,003
Total non-interest expense	193,698		195,174		191,020		189,779		191,425
Income before income taxes	59,776		135,492		139,181		137,198		119,915
Less income taxes	10,173		28,214		29,101		28,899		22,860
Net income	49,603		107,278		110,080		108,299		97,055
Less non-controlling interest expense (income)	(2,254)		398		838		328		(83)
Net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc.	51,857		106,880		109,242		107,971		97,138
Less preferred stock dividends	2,250		2,250		2,250		2,250		2,250
Net income available to common shareholders	$49,607		$104,630		$106,992		$105,721		$94,888
Net income per common share — basic	$.44		$.94		$.93		$.91		$.81
Net income per common share — diluted	$.44		$.93		$.93		$.91		$.81
OTHER INFORMATION
Return on total average assets	.80	%	1.65	%	1.72	%	1.73	%	1.58	%
Return on average common equity (1)	6.48		13.90		14.21		14.46		13.64
Efficiency ratio (2)	59.17		56.29		56.66		55.88		58.76
Effective tax rate	16.40		20.88		21.04		21.11		19.05
Net yield on interest earning assets	3.33		3.36		3.43		3.61		3.52
Tax equivalent net interest income	$204,402		$206,156		$206,958		$215,203		$207,104

(1)Annualized net income available to common shareholders divided by average total equity less preferred stock.

(2)The efficiency ratio is calculated as non-interest expense (excluding intangibles amortization) as a percent of revenue.

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - PERIOD END

(Unaudited) (In thousands)	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		March 31, 2019
ASSETS
Loans
Business	$	5,773,865	$	5,565,449	$	5,175,541
Real estate — construction and land	873,402		899,377		925,269
Real estate — business	2,960,308		2,833,554		2,859,614
Real estate — personal	2,464,819		2,354,760		2,125,087
Consumer	1,941,787		1,964,145		1,893,212
Revolving home equity	349,735		349,251		364,010
Consumer credit card	706,753		764,977		772,396
Overdrafts	3,143		6,304		5,593
Total loans	15,073,812		14,737,817		14,120,722
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(171,653)		(160,682)		(160,682)
Net loans	14,902,159		14,577,135		13,960,040
Loans held for sale	6,214		13,809		20,085
Investment securities:
Available for sale debt securities	8,678,586		8,571,626		8,627,890
Trading debt securities	24,291		28,161		30,427
Equity securities	4,038		4,209		4,694
Other securities	155,074		137,892		129,504
Total investment securities	8,861,989		8,741,888		8,792,515
Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell	400		—		250
Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell	850,000		850,000		700,000
Interest earning deposits with banks	474,156		395,850		166,077
Cash and due from banks	401,185		491,615		428,018
Premises and equipment — net	369,745		370,637		362,679
Goodwill	138,921		138,921		138,921
Other intangible assets — net	8,433		9,534		8,511
Other assets	779,815		476,400		456,375
Total assets	$	26,793,017	$	26,065,789	$	25,033,471
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Deposits:
Non-interest bearing	$	6,952,236	$	6,890,687	$	6,298,724
Savings, interest checking and money market	12,049,279		11,621,716		11,799,346
Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000	619,758		626,157		599,289
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over	1,154,590		1,381,855		1,276,994
Total deposits	20,775,863		20,520,415		19,974,353
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,428,013		1,850,772		1,722,751
Other borrowings	756,461		2,418		2,022
Other liabilities	580,216		553,712		291,132
Total liabilities	23,540,553		22,927,317		21,990,258
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock	144,784		144,784		144,784
Common stock	563,978		563,978		559,432
Capital surplus	2,133,623		2,151,464		2,074,912
Retained earnings	224,643		201,562		307,193
Treasury stock	(69,149)		(37,548)		(60,547)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	253,136		110,444		11,981
Total stockholders’ equity	3,251,015		3,134,684		3,037,755
Non-controlling interest	1,449		3,788		5,458
Total equity	3,252,464		3,138,472		3,043,213
Total liabilities and equity	$	26,793,017	$	26,065,789	$	25,033,471

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited) (In thousands)	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		September 30, 2019		June 30, 2019		March 31, 2019
ASSETS:
Loans:
Business	$	5,493,657	$	5,362,020	$	5,263,312	$	5,142,794	$	5,084,920
Real estate — construction and land	924,086		901,367		920,206		908,777		907,062
Real estate — business	2,853,632		2,820,189		2,883,379		2,868,503		2,864,177
Real estate — personal	2,390,716		2,283,530		2,175,156		2,135,048		2,119,365
Consumer	1,950,491		1,961,631		1,924,434		1,907,979		1,929,202
Revolving home equity	350,256		347,527		354,040		361,673		370,962
Consumer credit card	727,569		749,056		763,377		766,080		781,167
Overdrafts	4,044		18,322		9,240		4,889		4,205
Total loans	14,694,451		14,443,642		14,293,144		14,095,743		14,061,060
Allowance for credit losses on loans	(139,482)		(159,776)		(160,387)		(161,403)		(159,275)
Net loans	14,554,969		14,283,866		14,132,757		13,934,340		13,901,785
Loans held for sale	12,875		15,363		19,882		20,731		18,350
Investment securities:
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	802,556		826,702		825,544		843,974		909,466
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations	134,296		184,973		181,929		199,506		199,480
State and municipal obligations	1,222,595		1,207,584		1,172,259		1,222,008		1,283,349
Mortgage-backed securities	4,685,782		4,685,794		4,712,508		4,614,703		4,360,428
Asset-backed securities	1,182,556		1,258,297		1,297,685		1,412,452		1,525,623
Other debt securities	321,733		331,167		334,218		331,459		335,612
Unrealized gain (loss) on debt securities	191,275		149,591		152,706		42,009		(48,925)
Total available for sale debt securities	8,540,793		8,644,108		8,676,849		8,666,111		8,565,033
Trading debt securities	34,055		32,518		29,622		30,169		25,411
Equity securities	4,273		4,200		4,705		4,717		4,568
Other securities	144,096		141,501		134,896		130,433		130,057
Total investment securities	8,723,217		8,822,327		8,846,072		8,831,430		8,725,069
Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell	326		714		1,080		1,601		4,797
Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell	850,000		849,986		713,030		700,000		700,000
Interest earning deposits with banks	601,420		390,134		226,582		331,999		316,660
Other assets	1,368,464		1,315,395		1,292,191		1,251,555		1,197,261
Total assets	$	26,111,271	$	25,677,785	$	25,231,594	$	25,071,656	$	24,863,922
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Non-interest bearing deposits	$	6,615,108	$	6,552,862	$	6,290,036	$	6,335,620	$	6,324,738
Savings	952,709		924,282		924,581		929,974		896,378
Interest checking and money market	10,777,400		10,618,347		10,409,111		10,642,648		10,762,550
Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000	622,840		626,944		620,138		605,440		590,200
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over	1,299,443		1,434,309		1,503,805		1,378,402		1,267,517
Total deposits	20,267,500		20,156,744		19,747,671		19,892,084		19,841,383
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	1,990,051		1,836,982		1,884,939		1,793,526		1,771,534
Other borrowings	161,698		94,471		77,248		1,318		1,248
Total borrowings	2,151,749		1,931,453		1,962,187		1,794,844		1,772,782
Other liabilities	466,980		458,094		390,560		307,433		284,018
Total liabilities	22,886,229		22,546,291		22,100,418		21,994,361		21,898,183
Equity	3,225,042		3,131,494		3,131,176		3,077,295		2,965,739
Total liabilities and equity	$	26,111,271	$	25,677,785	$	25,231,594	$	25,071,656	$	24,863,922

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

AVERAGE RATES

(Unaudited)	For the Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2020		December 31, 2019		September 30, 2019		June 30, 2019		March 31, 2019
ASSETS:
Loans:
Business (1)	3.50	%	3.59	%	3.85	%	4.02	%	4.07	%
Real estate — construction and land	4.78		5.05		5.46		5.63		5.73
Real estate — business	4.16		4.22		4.42		4.60		4.61
Real estate — personal	3.83		3.85		3.91		3.97		4.00
Consumer	4.78		4.76		4.88		4.77		4.73
Revolving home equity	4.61		4.76		5.17		5.20		5.17
Consumer credit card	12.26		12.11		12.42		12.33		12.18
Overdrafts	—		—		—		—		—
Total loans	4.39		4.47		4.71		4.82		4.85
Loans held for sale	6.15		5.32		6.15		6.98		7.38
Investment securities:
U.S. government and federal agency obligations	2.09		2.16		2.36		4.66		.78
Government-sponsored enterprise obligations	4.19		2.17		2.69		2.32		2.35
State and municipal obligations (1)	3.11		3.05		3.14		3.18		3.19
Mortgage-backed securities	2.37		2.72		2.61		2.70		2.76
Asset-backed securities	2.63		2.62		2.80		2.79		2.70
Other debt securities	2.94		2.82		2.63		2.68		2.69
Total available for sale debt securities	2.54		2.69		2.69		2.97		2.59
Trading debt securities (1)	2.52		2.81		2.91		3.14		3.24
Equity securities (1)	46.78		49.40		35.67		35.97		37.55
Other securities (1)	5.31		6.58		6.19		6.69		5.73
Total investment securities	2.61		2.78		2.76		3.04		2.66
Federal funds sold and short-term securities purchased under agreements to resell	2.47		2.22		2.57		2.76		2.79
Long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell	3.53		2.26		2.01		2.11		2.18
Interest earning deposits with banks	.86		1.61		2.17		2.40		2.42
Total interest earning assets	3.66		3.75		3.90		4.05		3.93
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY:
Interest bearing deposits:
Savings	.11		.11		.11		.11		.11
Interest checking and money market	.30		.35		.38		.38		.35
Certificates of deposit of less than $100,000	1.15		1.16		1.11		1.01		.87
Certificates of deposit of $100,000 and over	1.62		1.79		1.99		2.02		1.92
Total interest bearing deposits	.45		.52		.58		.55		.51
Borrowings:
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase	.96		1.20		1.74		1.80		1.72
Other borrowings	.82		2.05		2.33		1.52		1.62
Total borrowings	.95		1.25		1.76		1.80		1.72
Total interest bearing liabilities	.52	%	.61	%	.73	%	.70	%	.65	%
Net yield on interest earning assets	3.33	%	3.36	%	3.43	%	3.61	%	3.52	%

(1) Stated on a tax equivalent basis using a federal income tax rate of 21%.

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES

CREDIT QUALITY

	For the Three Months Ended
(Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share data)	March 31, 2020			December 31, 2019			September 30, 2019			June 30, 2019			March 31, 2019
ALLOWANCE FOR CREDIT LOSSES ON LOANS
Balance at beginning of period	$	160,682		$	160,682		$	161,182		$	160,682		$	159,932
Adoption of ASU 2016-13	(21,039)			—			—			—			—
Provision for credit losses on loans	42,868			15,206			10,963			11,806			12,463
Net charge-offs (recoveries):
Commercial portfolio:
Business	(373)			3,036			335			284			447
Real estate — construction and land	—			—			—			(101)			(16)
Real estate — business	(21)			35			(44)			(14)			(37)
	(394)			3,071			291			169			394
Personal banking portfolio:
Consumer credit card	9,157			8,829			8,568			9,066			8,958
Consumer	1,711			2,838			2,069			1,723			1,924
Overdraft	426			507			446			253			317
Real estate — personal	(4)			6			(30)			(21)			101
Revolving home equity	(38)			(45)			119			116			19
	11,252			12,135			11,172			11,137			11,319
Total net loan charge-offs	10,858			15,206			11,463			11,306			11,713
Balance at end of period	$	171,653		$	160,682		$	160,682		$	161,182		$	160,682
LIABILITY FOR UNFUNDED LENDING COMMITMENTS	$	32,251		$	1,075		$	1,075		$	1,075		$	1,075
NET CHARGE-OFF RATIOS*
Commercial portfolio:
Business	(.03)		%	.22		%	.03		%	.02		%	.04		%
Real estate — construction and land	—			—			—			(.04)			(.01)
Real estate — business	—			—			(.01)			—			(.01)
	(.02)			.13			.01			.01			.02
Personal banking portfolio:
Consumer credit card	5.06			4.68			4.45			4.75			4.65
Consumer	.35			.57			.43			.36			.40
Overdraft	42.37			10.98			19.15			20.76			30.57
Real estate — personal	—			—			(.01)			—			.02
Revolving home equity	(.04)			(.05)			.13			.13			.02
	.83			.90			.85			.86			.88
Total	.30		%	.42		%	.32		%	.32		%	.34		%
CREDIT QUALITY RATIOS
Non-performing assets to total loans	.07		%	.07		%	.08		%	.08		%	.09		%
Non-performing assets to total assets	.04			.04			.05			.05			.05
Allowance for credit losses on loans to total loans	1.14			1.09			1.11			1.13			1.14
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
Non-accrual loans:
Business	$	7,356		$	7,489		$	7,753		$	8,428		$	8,569
Real estate — construction and land	2			2			3			3			4
Real estate — business	1,532			1,030			2,359			950			1,746
Real estate — personal	1,743			1,699			1,618			1,752			1,848
Total	10,633			10,220			11,733			11,133			12,167
Foreclosed real estate	422			365			502			897			737
Total non-performing assets	$	11,055		$	10,585		$	12,235		$	12,030		$	12,904
Loans past due 90 days and still accruing interest	$	16,520		$	19,859		$	16,308		$	16,532		$	16,655

*as a percentage of average loans (excluding loans held for sale)

Exhibit 99.1

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.

Management Discussion of First Quarter Results

March 31, 2020

For the quarter ended March 31, 2020, net income attributable to Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (net income) amounted to $51.9 million, compared to $106.9 million in the previous quarter and $97.1 million in the same quarter last year. The decrease in net income from the previous quarter was primarily the result of an increase in provision for credit losses and unrealized securities losses in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio. Non-interest income was also lower this quarter than in the prior quarter, however, the decrease was primarily due to a gain realized on the sale of the Company’s corporate trust business in the prior quarter. Net interest margin declined slightly, as lower interest earned on loans and investment securities was offset by declining interest expense on deposits. Average loans increased $248.3 million over the previous quarter, while average deposits increased $110.8 million. For the quarter, the return on average assets was .80%, the return on average common equity was 6.48%, and the efficiency ratio was 59.17%.

Balance Sheet Review

During the 1^st quarter of 2020, average loans totaled $14.7 billion, an increase of $248.3 million over the prior quarter, and increased $627.9 million, or 4.46%, over the same quarter last year. Period-end loans grew $328.4 million over the prior quarter and $939.2 million over March 31, 2019. Compared to the previous quarter, average loan growth was primarily driven by increases in business loans and personal real estate loans of $131.6 million and $107.2 million, respectively. Additionally, business real estate and construction loans grew $33.4 million and $22.7 million this quarter, respectively. This growth was partly offset by a decline in consumer card loans of $21.5 million. Consumer loans saw higher demand for health services financing, but that growth was offset by lower auto loans and other consumer lending. Growth in business loans was the result of increased commercial and industrial lending, while personal real estate loan balances grew due to a higher portion of loans originated being retained rather than sold during the 1^st quarter of 2020 compared to the previous quarter. During the current quarter, the Company sold certain fixed rate personal real estate loans totaling $39.3 million, compared to $61.5 million in the prior quarter.

Total average available for sale debt securities decreased $103.3 million from the previous quarter to $8.5 billion, at fair value. The decrease in investment securities was mainly the result of declines in asset-backed, U.S. government and federal agency, and government-sponsored enterprise obligation securities. Purchases of securities during the quarter totaled $648.9 million, and sales, maturities and pay downs were $636.5 million. At March 31, 2020, the duration of the investment portfolio was 2.6 years, and maturities and pay downs of approximately $1.4 billion are expected to occur during the next 12 months.

Total average deposits increased $110.8 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter. The increase in deposits resulted from growth in interest checking and money market deposits ($159.1 million), demand deposits ($62.2 million), and savings deposits ($28.4 million). These increases were partially offset by declines in certificates of deposit ($139.0 million). Compared to the previous quarter, total average consumer and wealth deposits (including private banking) grew $141.0 million and $64.1 million, respectively, while average commercial deposits decreased $159.4 million this quarter. The average loans to deposits ratio was 72.6% in the current quarter and 71.7% in the prior quarter. The Company’s average borrowings, which includes customer repurchase agreements, were $2.2

billion in the 1^st quarter of 2020 and $1.9 billion in the prior quarter.

Net Interest Income

Net interest income in the 1^st quarter of 2020 amounted to $201.1 million, a decrease of $1.6 million compared to the previous quarter. On a tax equivalent basis, net interest income for the current quarter decreased $1.8 million from the previous quarter to $204.4 million. The decline in net interest income was mainly due to a $2.2 million adjustment this quarter to premium amortization on mortgage-backed securities for prepayment speed changes. The net yield on earning assets (tax equivalent) decreased to 3.33%, compared to 3.36% in the prior quarter.

Compared to the previous quarter, interest income on loans (tax equivalent) decreased $2.3 million, mostly as a result of lower yields on loans, particularly commercial loans. Growth in average business and personal real estate loan balances increased net interest income and helped to partially offset the impact of lower yields. The average tax-equivalent yield on the loan portfolio declined eight basis points this quarter to 4.39%, compared to 4.47% in the previous quarter.

Interest income on investment securities (tax equivalent) decreased $5.4 million from the previous quarter, mainly due to lower interest income earned on mortgage-backed securities due to the $2.2 million premium amortization adjustment, as noted above. The decrease was partially offset by $2.6 million of higher interest income on our long-term securities purchased under agreements to resell. These assets were structured with embedded and leveraged interest rate floor spreads to hedge against falling rates. Also, inflation income on inflation protected securities declined $333 thousand this quarter. The yield on total investment securities was 2.61% in the current quarter, down from 2.78% in the previous quarter.

Interest costs on deposits totaled 45 basis points in the 1^st quarter of 2020, compared to 52 basis points in the prior quarter. Interest expense on deposits decreased $2.6 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter mainly due to lower rates on all deposit categories, as well as lower balances of jumbo certificates of deposit. Borrowing costs decreased $964 thousand this quarter due to lower rates paid on borrowings, especially securities sold under agreements to repurchase, partially offset by higher balances of those agreements and of Federal Home Loan Bank borrowings. The overall rate paid on interest bearing liabilities was .52% in the current quarter, compared to .61% in the prior quarter.

Non-Interest Income

In the 1^st quarter of 2020, total non-interest income amounted to $123.7 million, an increase of $2.4 million, or 2.0%, compared to the same period last year and decreased $19.8 million, or 13.8%, compared to the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest income over the same period last year was mainly due to growth in trust, capital market, deposit account, and net bank card fees.

Total net bank card fees in the current quarter increased $556 thousand, or 1.4%, over the same period last year, and decreased $879 thousand, or 2.1%, compared to the prior quarter. Net corporate card fees increased $154 thousand over the same quarter last year mainly due to lower rewards expense. Net debit card fees increased $191 thousand, or 2.1%, due to higher

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.        Exhibit 99.1

Management Discussion of First Quarter Results

March 31, 2020

interchange income. Net merchant income declined $119 thousand, or 2.6%, mainly due to higher network expense, while net credit card fees increased $330 thousand, or 10.5% on lower rewards expense. Total net bank card fees this quarter were comprised of fees on corporate card ($23.0 million), debit card ($9.3 million), merchant ($4.4 million) and credit card ($3.5 million) transactions.

In the current quarter, trust fees increased $2.7 million, or 7.3%, over the same period last year, resulting from continued growth in private client fee income. Compared to the same period last year, deposit account fees increased $659 thousand, or 2.9%, due to growth in corporate cash management and deposit account fees. Additionally, capital market fees grew $1.9 million, or 101.7%, cash sweep fees grew $329 thousand, or 9.6%, and consumer brokerage service fees increased $330 thousand, or 8.8%, over amounts recorded in the same quarter last year.

Compared to the prior quarter, deposit account fees, bank card fees, and trust fees declined during the 1^st quarter of 2020. Deposit account fees declined $1.3 million this quarter compared to the previous quarter due to lower corporate cash management and overdraft fees. Growth in capital market fees of $1.3 million partially offset these declines. Other non-interest income declined in the 1^st quarter of 2020 mainly due to the sale of the Company’s corporate trust business in the prior quarter. Swap fees also declined $1.7 million in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter. Also, the Company’s deferred compensation plan assets are held in a trust and are recorded as both an asset and a liability. Fair value equity adjustments on these assets affecting both other income and other expense decreased $3.8 million from the same quarter last year and $3.6 million from the previous quarter. For the 1^st quarter of 2020, non-interest income comprised 38.1% of the Company’s total revenue.

Investment Securities Gains and Losses

The Company recorded net securities losses of $13.3 million in the current quarter, compared to losses of $248 thousand in the prior quarter and losses of $925 thousand in the 1^st quarter of 2019. Net securities losses in the current quarter primarily resulted from unrealized losses in the Company’s private equity investment portfolio, as the economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted investment valuations.

Non-Interest Expense

Non-interest expense for the current quarter amounted to $193.7 million, compared to $191.4 million in the same period last year and $195.2 million in the prior quarter. The increase in non-interest expense compared to the same period last year was mainly due to higher salaries and employee benefits expense. Higher data processing and software expense also contributed to the increase. These increases in expense were partially offset by lower other non-interest expense.

Compared to the 1^st quarter of last year, salaries and employee benefits expense increased $6.8 million, or 5.6%, driven mainly by growth in full-time salary costs and higher incentive compensation and retirement plan expense. Full-time equivalent employees totaled 4,854 and 4,841 at March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

For the current quarter compared to the same quarter of last year, data processing and software expense increased $1.3

million due to higher costs for service providers. Supplies and communication expense decreased $504 thousand due to lower costs for debit and credit card reissuance and lower data network expense. Other non-interest expense decreased mostly due to lower operating losses, fees paid to outside service providers and travel and entertainment expenses, in addition to the decline in the Company’s deferred compensation liability, as mentioned previously. These decreases in expense were partially offset by a $1.1 million impairment on the Company’s mortgage servicing rights during the 1^st quarter of 2020.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the Company was 16.40% in the current quarter, 20.88% in the previous quarter, and 19.05% in the 1^st quarter of 2019. The decrease in the effective tax rate in the current quarter compared to the prior quarter and the same quarter last year is mostly due to mix of taxable and non-taxable income and expenses.

Credit Quality

Net loan charge-offs in the 1^st quarter of 2020 amounted to $10.9 million, compared to $15.2 million in the prior quarter and $11.7 million in the same period last year. The ratio of annualized net loan charge-offs to total average loans was .30% in the current quarter, .42% in the previous quarter, and .34% in the 1^st quarter of last year. Compared to prior quarter, net loan charge-offs on commercial loans decreased $3.5 million to net recoveries of $394 thousand, while net loan charge-offs on personal banking loans decreased $883 thousand to $11.3 million.

In the 1^st quarter of 2020, annualized net loan charge-offs on average consumer credit card loans were 5.06%, compared to 4.68% in the previous quarter, and 4.65% in the same quarter last year. Consumer loan net charge-offs were .35% of average consumer loans in the current quarter, .57% in the prior quarter and .40% in the same quarter last year.

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments", known as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model. As a result of CECL, the Company's provision for loan losses is now included in provision for credit losses on the income statement. Additionally, the provision for credit losses includes a provision for expected credit losses on the Company's unfunded lending commitments and available for sale securities. Upon adoption of CECL, our allowance for credit losses was reduced $21.0 million and our liability for unfunded lending commitments increased $16.1 million, resulting in a net increase to retained earnings of $3.8 million, net of tax.

This quarter, provision for credit losses for loans totaled $42.9 million and was $32.0 million greater than net loan charge-offs. The increase in the provision for credit losses on loans was driven by a significant deterioration of the economic forecast used in our CECL model as of March 31, 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.At March 31, 2020, the allowance for credit losses on loans totaled $171.7 million, or 1.14% of total loans. Additionally, the provision for credit losses on unfunded lending commitments totaled $15.1 million. The liability for unfunded lending commitments at March 31, 2020 was $32.3 million.

At March 31, 2020, total non-performing assets amounted to $11.1 million, an increase of $470 thousand over the previous quarter. Non-performing assets are comprised of non-accrual

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.        Exhibit 99.1

Management Discussion of First Quarter Results

March 31, 2020

loans and foreclosed real estate ($10.6 million and $422 thousand, respectively). At March 31, 2020, the balance of non-accrual loans, which represented .07% of loans outstanding, included business loans of $7.4 million, business real estate loans of $1.5 million, and personal real estate loans of $1.7 million. Loans more than 90 days past due and still accruing interest totaled $16.5 million at March 31, 2020.

Other

During the 1^st quarter of 2020, the Company paid a cash dividend of $.27 per common share, representing an 8.9% increase over the same period last year. The Company also paid an annualized 6% cash dividend on its preferred stock. The Company purchased 869,692 shares of treasury stock during the current quarter at an average price of $61.11.

Forward Looking Information

This information contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include future financial and operating results, expectations, intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such statements are based on current beliefs and expectations of the Company’s management and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.