Compass Bank Introduces CompassWorks for Business; Valuable Package of Small Business Products and Services Is First of Its Kind In the Country.

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 11, 1999--To meet the unique needs of one of the fastest growing segments of the American economy, Compass Bank (NASDAQ/NMS:CBSS) introduced CompassWorks for Business -- a valuable package of small business products and services designed by and for small business owners.

The first product of its kind in the marketplace, CompassWorks for Business enables small business owners to use combined personal and business account balances to offset fees. The flexible new package includes 11 basic business and personal banking products and services for one monthly fee or no fee at all if minimum balances are kept.

In addition, CompassWorks for Business places control of revolving credit in the hands of the business owner. With one credit application, the small business owner makes the decision how to allocate between three convenient business credit products.

CompassWorks for Business also comes with free PC Banking, a Visa business check card and credit card with no annual fee and an annual financial check-up by a small business banking specialist at no cost.

According to Jim Barri, Compass executive vice president for retail banking, Compass conducted extensive research among small and medium-sized business owners over the past year. "Again and again, small business owners told us that they were being nickled and dimed to death with bank fees and service charges," he said.

"In most small businesses, the owners view their business and personal banking relationship as one and the same and they want credit for the combined balances of their accounts," Barri explained. "It also is very important to business owners that they be able to manage the financial ups and downs of their business cycles without having to run to the bank each time they need credit."

"Compass looked for a way to meet these needs and CompassWorks for Business is the solution," Barri said.

Additional information on CompassWorks for Business is available by calling 1-800-COMPASS, by visiting a Compass Bank office and on the Compass website at www.compassweb.com.

Compass Bank is a subsidiary of Compass Bancshares, Inc., a $15.2 billion financial services company which operates 279 full-service banking offices in Alabama, Texas, Florida and Arizona and has approximately 5,900 employees in the four Sunbelt states.