U.S. banks Commerce Bank and TD Banknorth today announced that they will change the brand name for their combined operations to TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, in place of he previously announced TD Commerce Bank name.

“We have decided to move forward with the re-branding of Commerce and TD Banknorth as TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank,” says Bharat Masrani, president and CEO of TD Bank, N.A.

This decision is due to a legal challenge, where a U.S. federal court has provisionally prevented the company from using the TD Commerce Bank name on signage and marketing materials in certain Massachusetts counties.

“In our view, the well-recognized TD name combined with Commerce Bank clearly distinguished us from other banks with Commerce in their name,” Masrani adds. “We’re disappointed that the court felt differently.”

The name retains the green TD shield.

“We’re pleased to have this issue behind us and look forward to introducing TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, to our customers in the Mid-Atlantic and Florida this fall,” says Ed Clark, president and CEO of TD Bank Financial Group.

The company intends to follow its original schedule for a comprehensive re-branding effort for its 1,100 combined store network. Current Commerce Bank Stores will be the first to re-brand as TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank, starting in fall of 2008. Current TD Banknorth locations will finish re-branding in 2009.