8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________________

Form 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 14, 2015

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Missouri	0-2989	43-0889454
(State of Incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

1000 Walnut,
Kansas City, MO	64106
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

	(816) 234-2000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit, is furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 and shall not be deemed “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities under that Section. Furthermore, the information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including the exhibit, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Item 2.02 Results of Operations and Financial Condition

A copy of the press release issued January 14, 2015 by Commerce Bancshares, Inc. announcing a delay in releasing Fourth Quarter 2014 earnings is furnished under Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibits
99.1	Press Release dated January 14, 2015

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC.
By:	/s/ Jeffery D. Aberdeen
	Jeffery D. Aberdeen
	Controller (Chief Accounting Officer)

Date: January 14, 2015

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibits
99.1	Press Release dated January 14, 2015

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, please contact:

Jeffery D. Aberdeen, (816) 234-2081,

Jeff.Aberdeen@commercebank.com

COMMERCE BANCSHARES, INC. TO DELAY RELEASE OF ITS EARNINGS

KANSAS CITY, MO, January 14, 2015 - Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH) announced today that it will delay its earnings release for the fourth quarter 2014, originally scheduled for January, 15, 2015, until the completion of audit procedures on its allowance for loan losses by its external auditors. The current auditing environment with heightened expectations and evolving practices related to the allowance has caused this unexpected delay. The Company’s credit loss experience has remained strong and consistent throughout 2014.

About Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

Commerce Bancshares, Inc. is a registered bank holding company offering a full line of banking services, including investment management and securities brokerage. The Company currently operates in over 350 locations in Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado. The Company also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, credit related insurance, and private equity activities.