Commerce Bank Offers Local Kids Reading With Rewards

To kick off the Commerce Bank Summer Reading Program and to encourage children to continue reading throughout the summer, Commerce Bank Assistant Vice President Isabella Masters read a book about financial literacy to students in first grade at P.S. 150, Long Island City.

Commerce Bank kicked off its Summer Reading Program to encourage children to continue reading throughout the summer with Executive Reading Week. Assistant Vice President Isabella Masters started the program locally by reading a book about financial literacy to first-grade students at P.S. 150, Long Island City.

Throughout the week of May 15, 100 Commerce executives across seven states and in Washington, D.C. promoted summer reading and the importance of financial literacy with readings to more than 5,000 students. The Summer Reading Program began June 1 and runs through September 1.

A longtime education proponent, the Commerce Bank through its Summer Reading Program encourages young people to read and additionally provides a goal for them to learn the importance of saving. According to educators, summer reading is critical in developing good, life-long reading habits and advancing literacy skills. Studies have shown that children who continue to read during summer vacation perform better during the following school year.

Commerce contributes $10 into a new or existing young savers account for each child who reads 10 books during the summer months. For more information, visit the nearest Commerce Bank branch for a reading brochure.

Commerce has 11 convenient locations throughout Queens. For a location near you, call 1-888-751-9000 or visit www.commerceonline. com.

Commerce Bank, "America's Most Convenient Bank", is a leading retailer of financial services with nearly 400 convenient branches in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, D.C., Virginia and Southeast Florida. Commerce plans to build more than 65 new stores and create 1,800 career opportunities in 2006. Headquartered in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Commerce Bancorp (NYSE: CBH) has $40.8 billion in assets and in first quarter 2006 achieved a 28 percent increase in core deposits, a 36 percent increase in net loans and total asset growth of 28 percent. For more information about Commerce, visit the company's interactive financial resource center at commerceonline.com or call 888-751-9000.