[COMMERCE BANK LOGO OMITTED]

                                          Contact:  Jason S. Kirsch, APR
                                                    Public Relations Manager
                                                    (717) 612-3537
                                                    jason.kirsch@commercepc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


                  Commerce Bank Announces Five-Year Growth Plan

           Bank sets goal of 55 stores, $4 billion in deposits by 2010

EAST PENNSBORO TOWNSHIP, PA (July 12, 2005) -- Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, NA, the
sole banking subsidiary of Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp Inc. (NASDAQ: COBH),
today announced a five-year growth plan to more than double its branch network
to as many as 55 stores and increase its deposits to more than $4 billion by
2010.

Commerce Bank/Harrisburg currently has 25 stores in five Pennsylvania counties
and plans to expand its network to 28 offices by year-end, with openings in
North Cornwall Township in Lebanon County, and Wyomissing Borough and Cumru
Township in Berks County. Thereafter, the bank plans to open four to six new
stores in each of the next five years. Like all Commerce offices, the stores
will offer seven-day branch banking and free checking, along with other
amenities like Commerce's free interactive Penny Arcade coin-counting machine.

"As we look ahead, we will adhere to the retail model that has driven our growth
and success for the past 20 years," said Chairman, President and CEO Gary L.
Nalbandian. "We will keep working relentlessly to deliver an unsurpassed service
experience. We will continue to pioneer new ways to make banking even more
convenient. We've never considered ourselves a conventional bank, and we aim to
prove that to the people and organizations we serve every day.

"We are tremendously excited about our plans for growth. In the coming years, we
expect to further fill in areas between existing stores and expand our footprint
into neighboring counties and regions. The next new area for us will be
Lancaster beginning in 2006."

A Commerce Bank retail store generally requires as many as 20 full- and
part-time employees. In conjunction with the bank's growth plans, other new
hires will include lending officers and operations personnel. Commerce currently
employs more than 740 people throughout Central Pennsylvania and Berks County.

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PAGE 2 - Commerce Bank Announces Five-Year Growth Plan


To accommodate the bank's growth, a new headquarters, operations and training
center, "Commerce Center," is under construction at the TecPort Business Center
in Swatara Township, Dauphin County. When completed, the 56,000 square foot,
two-story facility will house operations and support services departments
including the bank's 24/7 live customer service call center. 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.

Pennsylvania Commerce Bancorp's performance is marked by rapid growth,
increasing profitability and excellent financial returns to shareholders. Over
the last five years, assets, deposits and loans have grown on average 28%, 27%
and 23% respectively. Total revenues, net income and net income per share have
increased 26%, 23% and 18% respectively.

Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, "America's Most Convenient Bank," 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 25 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.

Commerce Bank/Harrisburg currently has assets of $1.4 billion. For more
information about Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, visit the bank's web site at
commercepc.com.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future events.
Actual results could differ materially due to the following risks and
uncertainties -- deteriorating economic conditions; increased competition;
interest rate movements; market volatility in the securities markets;
legislative or regulatory developments; merger-related synergies, savings and
integration issues; technological changes; and other risks and uncertainties
discussed in the company's reports filed from time to time with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. The Company cautions readers not to place undue
reliance on these statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly
release or update any of these statements.