Commerce Bank Continues to Expand Co-Brand Credit Card Portfolio

Company Release - 6/4/2015 2:21 PM ET

Bank seizes opportunity, adds more than 10 partnerships in first quarter

KANSAS CITY, Mo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- In an ongoing effort to expand its affinity card business, Commerce Bank has come together to offer Rewards credit card programs with more than ten organizations across the country. A regional bank with dual headquarters in St. Louis and Kansas City, Commerce continues to expand its co-brand credit card portfolio at a national level and establishing relationships in new markets.

Since 2010, Commerce has been expanding its outreach to nonprofits, university alumni groups, sports franchises and other specialty organizations to build its affinity credit card business, named for the affinity consumers have with a group, school or sports team. In recent months, Commerce has focused its efforts in both the conservation and sustainability segments, forming co-brand credit card relationships with Whitetails Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk foundation and Sustain:Green.

Speaking to the recent focus on these relationships, Commerce Bank’s senior vice president of consumer credit card, Chad Doza explains, “At Commerce, we consider sustainability factors in all facets of our business. Our goal is to ensure that our business practices are consistent with our responsibility to shareholders, the good stewardship of natural resources and the well-being of our employees and the communities we serve. Our joint venture with Sustain:Green allows us to do just that – with the Sustain:Green MasterCard, individuals can use their biodegradable plastic to reduce their carbon footprint which offsets 2 pounds of carbon (CO2) for each dollar spent on net purchases, and 5,000 pounds upon activation. We applaud Sustain:Green for engaging consumers in the fight against climate change.”

Features and benefits of the programs often include free monthly FICO score1, toggle®, Apple PayTM, travel insurance, 24/7 customer service and E-Statements. Cardholders can redeem points for thousands of items such as cash back as statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, or travel. Custom card designs are also available and exclusive offers and experiences are often provided by the affinity organization.

“At Commerce, we continuously seek new ways to improve the customer experience by providing innovative payment solutions. Our new relationships provide Commerce Bank with an opportunity to offer our value-added solutions, including payment features and consumer rewards, to a diverse set of organizations and their member or customer base,” says Doza.

The cards are made available on Commerce Bank’s website as well as through the partner organization and are accepted anywhere credit cards are accepted.

Additional co-brand programs include:

  • Wayne State University
  • University of North Carolina in Greensboro
  • Michigan Technological University
  • Bryant University
  • Central Connecticut State University
  • University of South Alabama
  • Southwest Oklahoma State University
  • University of Tulsa

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank, is a subsidiary of Commerce Bancshares, Inc. (NASDAQ: CBSH), a $24.0 billion regional bank holding company, as of March 31, 2015. For 150 years, Commerce Bank has been meeting the financial services needs of individuals and businesses. Commerce Bank provides a diversified line of financial services, including business and personal banking, wealth management, financial planning, and investments through its affiliated companies. Commerce Bank operates in more than 350 retail locations in the Central United States and has a nationwide presence in the commercial payments industry. Commerce Bancshares also has operating subsidiaries involved in mortgage banking, leasing, credit-related insurance, private equity and real estate activities.

For additional information, please visit www.commercebank.com.

1. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

Commerce Bank
Maura Schnoebelen, 314-746-8567
Maura.schnoebelen@commercebank.com
or
Molly Hyland, 314-746-3657
molly.hyland@commercebank.com

Source: Commerce Bank