Commerce Bank to Open Four New Stores, Create 100 New Jobs In 2005; Will Open Prototype Stores...

EAST PENNSBORO TWP., Pa. -- Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, NA, the sole banking subsidiary of Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ:COBH), today announced plans to build four new stores and create 100 career opportunities in 2005, the bank's 20th anniversary year. The new stores will expand

"Since Commerce Bank first opened in Camp Hill in 1985, we've continued to set the bar higher and higher and higher," said Commerce Bank Chairman, President and CEO Gary L. Nalbandian. "Exceeding customer expectations is at the heart of everything we do. That's why we offer the longest hours, no silly rules or fees, and a superior level of service that's turning more and more customers into Commerce fans. We look forward to bringing our refreshing kind of service and convenience to more people in Central Pennsylvania and Berks County."

Like all Commerce Bank offices, the new stores planned for 2005 will offer seven-day branch banking and free checking, along with other customer amenities like Commerce's free interactive Penny Arcade coin-counting machine. The new store locations include:

Berks County:

--State Hill Road store, 2101 State Hill Road, Wyomissing Borough

--Shillington store, 606 Lancaster Ave. (Route 222), Cumru Twp.

Lebanon County:

--West Cumberland Street store, 2150 W. Cumberland St., North Cornwall Twp.

York County

--Mount Zion Road store, 1440 Mount Zion Road, Springettsbury Twp.

Beyond 2005, the bank plans to open 4-6 new stores in each of the next four years to more than double its branch network by 2009.

"In addition to filling in areas between existing store locations, we plan to expand our footprint into neighboring counties and regions, beginning with Lancaster in 2006," Nalbandian said.

A Commerce retail store generally requires as many as 20 full- and part-time employees. Other new hires will include lending executives and operations personnel. Commerce Bank currently employs about 700 people throughout Central Pennsylvania and Berks County.

Also this year, Commerce expects to occupy its new headquarters, operations and training center at the TecPort Business Center in Swatara Twp., Dauphin County. The 56,000 square foot, two-story facility is currently under construction.

When completed, the center will house operations and support services departments including the bank's 24/7 live customer service call center and its electronic banking, marketing, human resources and technology departments. The building also will house consumer, commercial and mortgage lending operations for the bank's East Shore and West Shore regions in Harrisburg. Additionally, it will be home to Commerce University, the bank's in-house training and education program, which offers more than 50 courses and last year topped 2,900 enrollees.

The company recently reported record earnings for the year ended 2004. Deposits increased 28%, loans increased 36% and earnings per share grew 22% for the year.

Commerce Bank/Harrisburg opened its first office in Camp Hill, PA, in June of 1985. In the 20 years since, the bank has cultivated a unique retail model that has produced continuous strong growth. The bank has doubled its number of branches in Pennsylvania in recent years, growing a network of 24 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, free online banking and 24/7 Bank-by-Phone.

In addition to retail banking, Commerce offers a diverse portfolio of commercial banking services including installment and term loans, commercial mortgages, commercial leasing and lines of credit, and cash management services.

A subsidiary of Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp Inc., Commerce Bank/Harrisburg currently has assets exceeding $1.3 billion. For more information about Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, visit the bank's web site at commercepc.com.