Bank bolsters real estate lending team in Manhattan.

Commerce Bank has recently named Gary Solomon vice president, real estate lending. In his new role, Solomon will develop customized lending solutions for the bank's real estate clients in Manhattan.

Solomon joins Commerce with 27 years of bankingxperience, and most recently was a first vice president and loan officer for Israel Discount Bank of New York. He is a member of the Jewish Community Center of Rockland County, B'nai B'rith, and ORT organizations. Solomon resides in New City, N.Y.

Commerce Bank combines its community bank roots with the financial strength of a major regional bank to meet the diverse needs of commercial customers.

Commerce Bank's lending professionals are local bankers making local loans, and they establish customer relationships focusing on service and the delivery of individualized financing solutions. Business owners and employees can bank during extended hours, seven days a week, in retail locations or via the Internet or phone 24 hours a day.

Commerce Bank continues to expand the range of financial services provided for real estate projects, and its lenders know intimately the risks and opportunities associated with the development, acquisition, construction, sales/leasing and financing of property. Commerce Bank is a leading retailer of financial services with 440+ stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and Florida.

Headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J., Commerce Bancorp has $48.2 billion in assets and in second quarter 2007 achieved a 17% increase in core deposits, an 15% increase in net loans and total asset growth of 11%.