Commerce Bank

Missouri
Banks

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Summary:

Commerce Bancshares, doing business as Commerce Bank, does not protect employees from viewpoint discrimination. Commerce Bank has integrated ESG into all of its business practices and vets vendors for LGBTQ and ESG policies.The company hosts DEI trainings, unconscious bias trainings, and financially supports Pride Fest and the National Urban League. However, Commerce Bank has not publicly terminated business relationships due to views or beliefs. For these reasons, Commerce Bank receives a Medium Risk rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

Commerce Bank has not publicly terminated existing business relationships due to views or beliefs. Commerce Bank received a score of 90 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). Among other requirements, this indicates that Commerce Bank vets vendors according to their LGBTQ policies (1)(2). Commerce Bank integrates ESG into all of its business practices, including its relationships with suppliers and environmental decisions regarding investments (3)(4).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Commerce Bank does not have a written rule discriminating against religious organizations in its charitable giving (1).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Commerce Bank does not have written policy protecting its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Commerce Bank’s CEO John Kemper signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge (1). Commerce Bank “celebrates PRIDE month and sponsors other LGBTQ activities each year” in addition to advocating for LGBTQ-related policy and marching in the St. Louis Pride Parade with company branded PRIDE shirts (2). Commerce Bank hosts Diversity and Inclusion training, which includes unconscious bias trainings (3)(4). Commerce Bank integrates ESG into all of its business practices (5).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Commerce Bank was a sponsor of Kansas City Pride Fest (1). In 2022, the bank donated an entire building to the National Urban League (2).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
Rationale

Commerce Bank uses its PAC spending in a bipartisan manner consistent with business interests (1).

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
May 25, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

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