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<TITLE>COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.</TITLE>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June&nbsp;20, 2006
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-
</DIV>


<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
Under<BR>
The Securities Act of 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.<BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>DELAWARE</B><BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>63-0593897</B><BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>15 South 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35233</B><BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Compass Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan</B><BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Full Title of the Plan)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>Jerry W. Powell, Esquire<BR>
Secretary and General Counsel<BR>
Compass Bancshares, Inc.<BR>
Post Office Box 10566, Birmingham, Alabama 35296</B><BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Name and Address of Agent for Service)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>(205)&nbsp;297-3000</B><BR>
<DIV style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; font-size: 1px">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)</DIV>



<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
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    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%" style="border-left: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-right: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%" style="border-left: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Title of</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-right: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%" style="border-left: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-right: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%" style="border-left: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>To Be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>To Be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Price Per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-right: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%" style="border-left: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="left"><B>Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered(1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Price (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-right: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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                    <TD valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Common Stock,
(par value $2.00
per share)
</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">4,500,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>

<TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">54.47</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>

<TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">245,115,000</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>

<TD align="right" valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">26,227.31</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-right: 3px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the &#147;Securities Act&#148;),
this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover an indeterminable number of additional
securities that may become issuable pursuant to provisions of the plan listed above to prevent
dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="1%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;457 of the Securities Act, the offering price is estimated solely for the
purpose of determining the registration fee and is based on the average of the high and low sales
prices of the Common Stock, as reported in the NASDAQ consolidated
reporting system on June&nbsp;14,
2006.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>









<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">








<!-- TOC -->
<A name="toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#000"><U>PART I</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#001">EXPLANATORY NOTE</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#002"><U>PART II</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#003">INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#004"><U>Item&nbsp;3.</U> <U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#005"><U>Item&nbsp;4.</U> <U>Description of Securities.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#006"><U>Item&nbsp;5.</U> <U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#007"><U>Item&nbsp;6.</U> <U>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#008"><U>Item&nbsp;7.</U> <U>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#009"><U>Item&nbsp;8.</U> <U>Exhibits.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#010"><U>Item&nbsp;9.</U> <U>Undertakings.</U></A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#011">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g02097exv4w9.htm">EX-4.9 2006 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g02097exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1 OPINION OF JERRY W. POWELL, ESQ.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g02097exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g02097exv24w1.htm">EX-24.1 POWER OF ATTORNEY</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "<U>PART I</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U><B>PART I</B></U>
</DIV>

<!-- link1 "EXPLANATORY NOTE" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXPLANATORY NOTE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Compass Bancshares, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;) is filing this Registration Statement on Form S-8
in order to register 4,500,000 shares of common stock, $2.00 par value per share (the &#147;Common
Stock&#148;), to be offered or sold pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Compass Bancshares, Inc.
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A prospectus meeting the requirements of Part&nbsp;I of Form S-8 has been prepared. Such
prospectus is not included in this Registration Statement but will be delivered to all participants
in the Plan pursuant to Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "<U>PART II</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><U><B>PART II</B></U>
</DIV>

<!-- link1 "INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;3.</U> <U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;3.</U> <U>Incorporation of Documents by Reference.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the &#147;SEC&#148;) are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March&nbsp;31, 2006;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Registrant&#146;s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January&nbsp;3, 2006; March
17, 2006, as amended by Amendment No.&nbsp;1 and Amendment No.&nbsp;2 on Forms 8-K/A filed with the SEC on
March&nbsp;20, 2006 and March&nbsp;24, 2006 respectively; March&nbsp;22, 2006, as amended by Amendment No.&nbsp;1 on
Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March&nbsp;24, 2006; and April&nbsp;21, 2006;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock contained in its Proxy
Statement dated April&nbsp;6, 1982, relating to its Annual Meeting held on May&nbsp;17, 1982.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.</DIV>

<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;4.</U> <U>Description of Securities.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;4.</U> <U>Description of Securities.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;5.</U> <U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;5.</U> <U>Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The validity of the Registrant&#146;s Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan will be
passed on for the Registrant by Jerry W. Powell, Esq., General Counsel, Secretary and an employee
of the Registrant. As of May&nbsp;31, 2006, Mr.&nbsp;Powell was the beneficial owner of an aggregate of
approximately 239,835 shares of Common Stock (including 87,495 shares subject to options
exercisable within sixty (60)&nbsp;days thereof and 45,324 shares allocated to his ESOP/401(k) Plan
account). Mr.&nbsp;Powell is eligible to participate in the Plan.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;6.</U> <U>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;6.</U> <U>Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Section&nbsp;17 of Article&nbsp;V of the Registrant&#146;s Bylaws provides in part as follows:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">Without limitation, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys&#146; fees), judgments, fines
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">1
</DIV>

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, upon such determination having been made as to his good
faith and conduct as is required by said General Corporation Law. Expenses incurred
in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the
Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
to the extent, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in accordance with the
provisions of said General Corporation Law, officer, employee or agent to repay such
amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be
indemnified by the Corporation.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Under Section&nbsp;145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the &#147;GCL&#148;), directors, advisory
directors and officers of a Delaware corporation are entitled to indemnification permitted by the
statute as provided in such corporation&#146;s certificate of incorporation, by-laws, resolutions and
other proper action.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">In addition, Article&nbsp;8 of the Registrant&#146;s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
provides:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 3%">No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty of such director, except (i)&nbsp;for
breach of the director&#146;s duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders,
(ii)&nbsp;for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;pursuant to Section&nbsp;174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or (iv)&nbsp;for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article&nbsp;8 shall apply
to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the
Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring
prior to such amendment or repeal.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="margin-left: 0%; text-indent: 0%; margin-right: 0%; font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">This provision is authorized by Section&nbsp;102(b)(7) of the GCL.</DIV>

<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;7.</U> <U>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;7.</U> <U>Exemption from Registration Claimed.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;8.</U> <U>Exhibits.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;8.</U> <U>Exhibits.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein as part of this
Registration Statement:
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Compass Bancshares, Inc., dated May
17, 1982 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3(a) to the December&nbsp;31, 1997 Form&nbsp;10-K of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated May&nbsp;20, 1986, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no. 33-46086 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated May&nbsp;15, 1987, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1.2 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no.
33-10797 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated November&nbsp;8, 1993, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3(d) to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no. 33-51919 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated September&nbsp;19, 1994, to Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.5(1) to
Compass Bancshares, Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no. 33-55899
filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">2
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.6</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated June&nbsp;2, 1998, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.6 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-3, registration no. 333-60725 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.7</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated May&nbsp;1, 2002, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.7 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, Registration No.&nbsp;333-90806 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.8</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Bylaws of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (Amended and Restated as of March&nbsp;15, 1982)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3(f) to the December&nbsp;31, 1997 Form&nbsp;10-K of Compass
Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.9</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Compass Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire, regarding the legality of the securities being issued.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney of the Officers and Directors of the Registrant.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "<U>Item&nbsp;9.</U> <U>Undertakings.</U>" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><U>Item&nbsp;9.</U> <U>Undertakings.</U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="3%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(4)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference
in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">3
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="011"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">SIGNATURES
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Birmingham, State of Alabama, on this the 16th day of
June, 2006.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">D. Paul Jones, Jr</FONT>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">D. Paul Jones, Jr.&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chairman and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">SIGNATURE</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">TITLE</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">DATE</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ D. Paul Jones, Jr.</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
D. Paul Jones, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ Garrett R. Hegel</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Garrett R. Hegel</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chief Financial Officer<BR>
(Principal Financial Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ Kirk P. Pressley</FONT> <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">
</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Kirk P. Pressley</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Chief Accounting Officer
and Controller<BR>
(Principal Accounting Officer)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ James H. Click, Jr.</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
James H. Click, Jr.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ Charles W. Daniel</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Charles W. Daniel</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ W. Eugene Davenport</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
W. Eugene Davenport</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ Tranum Fitzpatrick</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Tranum Fitzpatrick</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ Carl J. Gessler, Jr. M.D.</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Carl J. Gessler, Jr., M.D.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ Charles E. McMahen</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Charles E. McMahen</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ John S. Stein</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John S. Stein</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1em">
    <TD align="center" nowrap valign="top">By: <FONT style="font-variant: SMALL-CAPS">/s/ J. Terry Strange</FONT>
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
J. Terry Strange</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">
Director
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">June 19, 2006</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">4
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Compass Bancshares, Inc., dated May
17, 1982 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3(a) to the December&nbsp;31, 1997 Form&nbsp;10-K of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated May&nbsp;20, 1986, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.2 of Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no. 33-46086 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.3</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated May&nbsp;15, 1987, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.1.2 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s Post-Effective Amendment No.&nbsp;1 to registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no.
33-10797 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.4</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated November&nbsp;8, 1993, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3(d) to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no. 33-51919 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.5</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated September&nbsp;19, 1994, to Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3.5(1) to
Compass Bancshares, Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-4, registration no. 33-55899
filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.6</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated June&nbsp;2, 1998, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.6 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s registration statement on Form&nbsp;S-3, registration no. 333-60725 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.7</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Certificate of Amendment, dated May&nbsp;1, 2002, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;4.7 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8, Registration No.&nbsp;333-90806 filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.8</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Bylaws of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (Amended and Restated as of March&nbsp;15, 1982)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;3(f) to the December&nbsp;31, 1997 Form&nbsp;10-K of Compass
Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">4.9</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Compass Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">5.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Opinion of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire, regarding the legality of the securities being issued.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">23.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire (included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">24.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney of the Officers and Directors of the Registrant.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">5
</DIV>


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COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 20, 2006
Registration No. 333-
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933
COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
DELAWARE
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization)
63-0593897
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
15 South 20th Street, Birmingham, Alabama 35233
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Compass Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan
(Full Title of the Plan)
Jerry W. Powell, Esquire
Secretary and General Counsel
Compass Bancshares, Inc.
Post Office Box 10566, Birmingham, Alabama 35296
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
(205) 297-3000
(Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed
Proposed
Title of
Maximum
Maximum
Securities
Amount
Offering
Aggregate
Amount of
To Be
To Be
Price Per
Offering
Registration
Registered
Registered(1)
Share (2)
Price (2)
Fee
Common Stock,
(par value $2.00
per share)
4,500,000
$
54.47
$
245,115,000
$
26,227.31
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
this Registration Statement shall be deemed to cover an indeterminable number of additional
securities that may become issuable pursuant to provisions of the plan listed above to prevent
dilution resulting from stock splits, stock dividends or similar transactions.
(2)
Pursuant to Rule 457 of the Securities Act, the offering price is estimated solely for the
purpose of determining the registration fee and is based on the average of the high and low sales
prices of the Common Stock, as reported in the NASDAQ consolidated
reporting system on June 14,
2006.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
EXPLANATORY NOTE
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
Item 4.
Description of Securities.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
Item 9.
Undertakings.
SIGNATURES
EX-4.9 2006 INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN
EX-5.1 OPINION OF JERRY W. POWELL, ESQ.
EX-23.1 CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
EX-24.1 POWER OF ATTORNEY
Table of Contents
PART I
EXPLANATORY NOTE
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (the "Registrant") is filing this Registration Statement on Form S-8
in order to register 4,500,000 shares of common stock, $2.00 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), to be offered or sold pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Compass Bancshares, Inc.
2006 Incentive Compensation Plan (the "Plan").
A prospectus meeting the requirements of Part I of Form S-8 has been prepared. Such
prospectus is not included in this Registration Statement but will be delivered to all participants
in the Plan pursuant to Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3.
Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "SEC") are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement:
(1)
The Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2005;
(2)
The Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006;
(3)
The Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 3, 2006; March
17, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 on Forms 8-K/A filed with the SEC on
March 20, 2006 and March 24, 2006 respectively; March 22, 2006, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on
Form 8-K/A filed with the SEC on March 24, 2006; and April 21, 2006;
(4)
The description of the Registrant's Common Stock contained in its Proxy
Statement dated April 6, 1982, relating to its Annual Meeting held on May 17, 1982.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all
securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such documents.
Item 4.
Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5.
Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
The validity of the Registrant's Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Plan will be
passed on for the Registrant by Jerry W. Powell, Esq., General Counsel, Secretary and an employee
of the Registrant. As of May 31, 2006, Mr. Powell was the beneficial owner of an aggregate of
approximately 239,835 shares of Common Stock (including 87,495 shares subject to options
exercisable within sixty (60) days thereof and 45,324 shares allocated to his ESOP/401(k) Plan
account). Mr. Powell is eligible to participate in the Plan.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 17 of Article V of the Registrant's Bylaws provides in part as follows:
Without limitation, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party
or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action,
suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the
Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
1
Table of Contents
and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection
with such action, suit or proceeding to the full extent permitted by the General
Corporation Law of Delaware, upon such determination having been made as to his good
faith and conduct as is required by said General Corporation Law. Expenses incurred
in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall be paid by the
Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding
to the extent, if any, authorized by the Board of Directors in accordance with the
provisions of said General Corporation Law, officer, employee or agent to repay such
amount unless it shall ultimately be determined that he is entitled to be
indemnified by the Corporation.
Under Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "GCL"), directors, advisory
directors and officers of a Delaware corporation are entitled to indemnification permitted by the
statute as provided in such corporation's certificate of incorporation, by-laws, resolutions and
other proper action.
In addition, Article 8 of the Registrant's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
provides:
No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for
monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty of such director, except (i) for
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Corporation or its stockholders,
(ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law, (iii) pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. No amendment to or repeal of this Article 8 shall apply
to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any director of the
Corporation for or with respect to any acts or omissions of such director occurring
prior to such amendment or repeal.
This provision is authorized by Section 102(b)(7) of the GCL.
Item 7.
Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8.
Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated by reference herein as part of this
Registration Statement:
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Compass Bancshares, Inc., dated May
17, 1982 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the December 31, 1997 Form 10-K of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment, dated May 20, 1986, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-4, registration no. 33-46086 filed with the SEC)
4.3
Certificate of Amendment, dated May 15, 1987, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to registration statement on Form S-4, registration no.
33-10797 filed with the SEC)
4.4
Certificate of Amendment, dated November 8, 1993, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-4, registration no. 33-51919 filed with the SEC)
4.5
Certificate of Amendment, dated September 19, 1994, to Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5(1) to
Compass Bancshares, Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-4, registration no. 33-55899
filed with the SEC)
2
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Description
4.6
Certificate of Amendment, dated June 2, 1998, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-3, registration no. 333-60725 filed with the SEC)
4.7
Certificate of Amendment, dated May 1, 2002, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-90806 filed with the SEC)
4.8
Bylaws of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (Amended and Restated as of March 15, 1982)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(f) to the December 31, 1997 Form 10-K of Compass
Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)
4.9
Compass Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire, regarding the legality of the securities being issued.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2
Consent of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney of the Officers and Directors of the Registrant.
Item 9.
Undertakings.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material
information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the
registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement;
(2)
That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such
securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;
(3)
To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the
securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and
(4)
That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or
Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference
in this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that
time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in
the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against
such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a
director, officer, or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action,
suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with
the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the
matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the
question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and
will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8, and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Birmingham, State of Alabama, on this the 16th day of
June, 2006.
COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.
By:
/s/
D. Paul Jones, Jr
D. Paul Jones, Jr.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE
TITLE
DATE
By:
/s/ D. Paul Jones, Jr.
D. Paul Jones, Jr.
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ Garrett R. Hegel
Garrett R. Hegel
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ Kirk P. Pressley
Kirk P. Pressley
Chief Accounting Officer
and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ James H. Click, Jr.
James H. Click, Jr.
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ Charles W. Daniel
Charles W. Daniel
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ W. Eugene Davenport
W. Eugene Davenport
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ Tranum Fitzpatrick
Tranum Fitzpatrick
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ Carl J. Gessler, Jr. M.D.
Carl J. Gessler, Jr., M.D.
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ Charles E. McMahen
Charles E. McMahen
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ John S. Stein
John S. Stein
Director
June 19, 2006
By:
/s/ J. Terry Strange
J. Terry Strange
Director
June 19, 2006
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Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Description
4.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of Compass Bancshares, Inc., dated May
17, 1982 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the December 31, 1997 Form 10-K of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)
4.2
Certificate of Amendment, dated May 20, 1986, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-4, registration no. 33-46086 filed with the SEC)
4.3
Certificate of Amendment, dated May 15, 1987, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1.2 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to registration statement on Form S-4, registration no.
33-10797 filed with the SEC)
4.4
Certificate of Amendment, dated November 8, 1993, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(d) to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-4, registration no. 33-51919 filed with the SEC)
4.5
Certificate of Amendment, dated September 19, 1994, to Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.5(1) to
Compass Bancshares, Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-4, registration no. 33-55899
filed with the SEC)
4.6
Certificate of Amendment, dated June 2, 1998, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.6 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s registration statement on Form S-3, registration no. 333-60725 filed with the SEC)
4.7
Certificate of Amendment, dated May 1, 2002, to Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
Compass Bancshares, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7 to Compass Bancshares,
Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-8, Registration No. 333-90806 filed with the SEC)
4.8
Bylaws of Compass Bancshares, Inc. (Amended and Restated as of March 15, 1982)
(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(f) to the December 31, 1997 Form 10-K of Compass
Bancshares, Inc. filed with the SEC)
4.9
Compass Bancshares, Inc. 2006 Incentive Compensation Plan.
5.1
Opinion of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire, regarding the legality of the securities being issued.
23.1
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2
Consent of Jerry W. Powell, Esquire (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1
Power of Attorney of the Officers and Directors of the Registrant.
5