Commerce Bank Lauds Gov. Rendell's Creation of New Office of Financial Education.

Business Editors

CAMP HILL, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 29, 2004

Commerce Bank /Harrisburg, NA (NASDAQ:COBH), Chairman, President and CEO Gary L. Nalbandian today lauded Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell's creation of the Commonwealth's new Office of Financial Education. The office was established today by Executive Order.

"There is an alarming lack of financial literacy in America," Nalbandian said. "Surveys show that too many Americans are uneducated on concepts that are basic to financial well-being. Financial education is imperative. And it should begin as early in life as possible -- because lessons learned early are lessons that last.

"Commerce Bank applauds Gov. Rendell's creation of the new Office of Financial Education. We look forward to exploring ways we can work together to promote the improvement of financial literacy in the Commonwealth."

Commerce Bank offers financial education through the CommerceWOW!Zone, the bank's free program for K-12 students. Commerce Bank instructors are available to provide classes throughout the school year, and a variety of resources and activities also are available on the bank's web site at commercepc.com.

CommerceWOW!Zone lesson plans, which meet National Council of Teachers of Mathematics standards, are tailored to each grade level. Elementary school lessons focus on basic principles of money, saving and banking. The middle school curriculum teaches the importance of saving and how to manage a checking account and plan a budget. The high school program goes further, offering lessons such as how to use credit responsibly.

In 2003, the bank's CommerceWOW!Zone program reached nearly 5,000 children through 111 classes in 70 schools.

The CommerceWOW!Zone web site, which is fully compliant with laws outlining Internet safety for children, is a fun and interactive place with resources for parents, children, teens and teachers. Parents can find worksheets to help introduce the concept of money and principles of saving, banking and investing. Young children can follow the animated adventures of Penny Arcade and her friends as they play and learn all about money. Teens can learn about the stock market by investing fantasy money each month. Educators can download lesson plans and other financial education tools.

CommerceWOW!Zone classes may be arranged by calling Commerce Bank toll-free at 1-888-937-0004. To visit the CommerceWOW!Zone online, connect to commercepc.com.

Commerce Bank/Harrisburg opened its first office in Camp Hill, PA, in June of 1985. In the 19 years since, the bank has cultivated a unique retail model that has produced dynamic growth. The bank has doubled its number of branches in Pennsylvania in recent years, growing a network of 23 stores in Berks, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties.

Commerce's hallmark products and services include seven-day branch banking, totally free checking, no-fee instant-issue ATM/Visa check card, free interactive Penny Arcade coin-counting machines, America's Best Online Banking and 24/7 Bank-by-Phone.

A subsidiary of Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ:COBH), Commerce Bank/Harrisburg currently has assets exceeding $1 billion and is working toward an asset goal of $2 billion and a branch network of 36 offices by 2006. Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp shares the Commerce brand with the Commerce Bancorp Inc. (NYSE:CBH) network of banks headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ.

For more information about Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, visit the bank's web site at commercepc.com.