ADVISORY/Compass Bank and University of Alabama's CBER Partner to Address Economic Issues Affecting Alabama Businesses; Compass on Business Program Schedules Mobile Seminar.

News/Assignment Editors

ADVISORY...for Thurs. Nov. 8

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

          WHAT: Where do Mobile businesses go for the latest information
            on regional and national economic trends and accurate
            market intelligence? The options and resources are too
            great to count and too overwhelming for businesses to even
            consider initiating research.

              Compass on Business, a program from the partnership of
            Compass Bank and the Center for Business and Economic
            Research (CBER) at The University of Alabama, delivers
            crucial business information directly to Alabama businesses
            in the form of seminars and newsletters. Compass and the
            CBER also maintain a web site that offers this information
            in readily accessible electronic format. The web address
            is: www.compassweb.com/cob.

              This month in Mobile, Compass on Business is offering the
            fourth of its Alabama seminars.

          WHEN: Thursday, November 8, 2001
              11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

          WHERE: Country Club of Mobile
               4101 Wimbledon Drive
               Mobile, AL 36608

          WHO: Dr. Carl Ferguson, associate dean for Research and
            Technology and director of CBER, is the featured speaker
            at the seminar and will address key issues affecting the
            Alabama economy, including employment growth, consumer
            spending and inflation.

              Randall L. Haines, Compass' Regional President and Alabama
            Corporate Banking Executive, will give an overview of the
            Compass on Business "Business Leaders Confidence Index"
            that was recently developed.

          TO  ATTEND: Seating at the seminar is limited. Business owners
            who are interested in attending should contact Vicki
            Palladeno, Compass Bank Mobile City President's Office,
            334/470-7498 to acquire about availability.