UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 12b-25
NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
Commission File No. 0-6032
(Check One):
[ ] Form 10-K [ ] Form 20-F [X] Form 11-K [ ] Form 10-Q [ ] Form N-SAR
For Period Ended: December 31, 1997
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[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
For the Transition Period Ended:
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If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify
the item(s) to which the notification relates:
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PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION
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Full Title of the Plan
COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC. EMPLOYEE STOCK OWNERSHIP PLAN
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Full Name of Registrant
COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.
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Former Name if Applicable
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Address of Principal Executive Offices (Street and Number)
15 South 20th Street
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City, State and Zip Code
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
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PART II - RULES 12B-25(B) AND (C)
If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense
and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following
should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)
(a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form
could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense:
(b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on
Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion thereof, will be
[X] filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed
due date; or the subject quarterly report of transition report on Form
10-Q, or portion thereof will be filed on or before the fifth calendar
day following the prescribed due date; and
(c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c)
has been attached if applicable.
PART III - NARRATIVE
State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K, 10-Q, N-
SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the
prescribed time period. (Attach Extra Sheets if Needed)
Due to data processing problems and the inability to collect
all of the information required to be disclosed in the audited financial
statements for the plan required by Form 11-K, it is currently impossible to
prepare audited financial statements for the Compass Bancshares, Inc.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan without unreasonable effort and expense. The
registrant has undertaken steps to have programming changes made in order
to collect the required information.
PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification:
Jeffery O. Horne (205) 558-5720
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(Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act
of 1940 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter) period that
the registrant was required to file such reports) been filed? If answer is
no, identify report(s).
[X] Yes [ ] No
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(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from
the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the
earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion
thereof?
If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the result cannot be made. [ ] Yes [X] No
COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
hereunto duly authorized.
Date: June 30, 1998 /s/ Garrett R. Hegel
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Garrett R. Hegel,
Chief Financial Officer
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