Reading Rewards for Kids: Read 10 Books This Summer Get 10 Bucks From Commerce Bank

CHERRY HILL, N.J., May 13  /PRNewswire/ -- Once again Commerce Bank, "America's Most Convenient Bank," is rewarding kids for keeping their reading levels sharp this summer through its annual Summer Reading Program.

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Commerce Bank's Summer Reading Program encourages young people to read and additionally provides a goal for them to learn the importance of saving and money.  Commerce contributes $10 into a new or existing young savers account for each child who reads 10 books throughout the summer.

A longtime education proponent, Commerce Bank hopes its Summer Reading Program will help children keep their reading skills sharp and their boredom level low during the summer.  According to educators, summer reading is critical in continuing good academic performance and advancing literacy skills. Studies show that children who read several books throughout the summer maintain or surpass the reading skills they achieved during the previous school year.

"We believe that reading and financial literacy are key for future education and economic success," said Fred Graziano, regional bank president, Commerce Bank. "The Summer Reading Program is a fun way to motivate children to read and save."

The Summer Reading Program runs May 5 through September 30, 2008.  For more information, visit us online at http://www.commerceonline.com/summerreading . Visit the nearest Commerce Bank store for a program brochure or call 888-751-9000.

  SOME TIPS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF SUMMER READING:
  -- Read the story with your child
  -- Encourage your child to say familiar words and phrases out loud
  -- Practice sounding out words your child may have difficulty reading
  -- Provide the word your child is struggling with so that he/she doesn't
     become frustrated and lose the enjoyment of the experience.
  -- Repeat reading the story, asking your child what he or she enjoys most
     about the story and its characters
  -- Make it a field trip! Visit your local library each week for children's
     reading groups and other interesting group activities
  -- HAVE FUN!


  AND SOME RECOMMENDED READING FOR LESSONS ON MONEY AND SAVINGS:
  -- Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday by Judith Viorst
  -- Have Wheels Will Travel by Anne Mazer
  -- Money Trouble by Bill Cosby
  -- Henry and Beezus by Beverly Cleary
  -- Rent Party Jazz by William Miller
  -- Germy Blew It Again by Rebecca Jones
  -- The Big Buck Adventure by Shelley Gill and Deborah Tobola
  -- Millions by Frank Cottrell
  -- Owl in the Office by Ben M. Baglio
  -- The Go-Around Dollar by Barbara Johnston Adams




Subject to regulatory approvals, Commerce Bank will become known as TD Commerce Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, with a financial services network comprising more than 1,100 offices spanning 13 states and Washington, D.C. TD Commerce Bank's assets will total approximately $109 billion.

About Commerce Bank

Commerce Bank, "America's Most Convenient Bank," is a leading retailer of financial services with 470+ convenient stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and Florida. Commerce is headquartered in Cherry Hill, N.J.  For more information about Commerce, please visit the company's interactive financial resource center at commerceonline.com, or call 888-751-9000.

Forward-Looking Statements

The Company may from time to time make written or oral "forward-looking statements", including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in its reports to stockholders and in other communications by the Company, which are made in good faith by the Company pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

These forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company's beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, estimates and intentions, that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors (some of which are beyond the Company's control).  The words "may", "could", "should", "would", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "plan", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  The following factors, among others, could cause the Company's financial performance to differ materially from that expressed in such forward-looking statements: the strength of the United States economy in general and the strength of the local economies in which the Company conducts operations; the effects of, and changes in, trade, monetary and fiscal policies, including interest rate policies of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (the "FRB"); inflation; interest rates, market and monetary fluctuations; the timely development of competitive new products and  services by the Company and the acceptance of such products and services by customers; the willingness of customers to substitute competitors' products and services for the Company's products and services and vice versa; the impact of changes in financial services' laws and regulations (including laws concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance); technological changes; future acquisitions; the expense savings and revenue enhancements from acquisitions being less than expected; the growth and profitability of the Company's non- interest or fee income being less than expected; unanticipated regulatory or judicial proceedings; changes in consumer spending and saving habits; and the success of the Company at managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive.  The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company. 

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DATASOURCE: Commerce Bank



CONTACT:  Rebecca Acevedo of Commerce Bank, [phone]



Web site:  http://www.commerceonline.com/ 

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