EX-10.8 AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

Exhibit 10.8

AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) by and between COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ___ (the “Executive”), dated ___, 200_.

     The Company and the Executive heretofore entered into an Employment Agreement dated [___, as amended on ___and ___] (the “Prior Agreement”) and the Company and the Executive believe that the Prior Agreement should be amended and restated in its entirety and have agreed to enter into this Agreement, which shall supersede and replace the Prior Agreement.

     The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”), has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:

1. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS.

     (a) The “Effective Date” shall mean the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.

     (b) The “Change of Control Period” shall mean the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), the Change of Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period shall not be so extended.

2. CHANGE OF CONTROL. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:

     (a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a

“Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege), (ii) any acquisition by the Company or any entity controlled by the Company or under common control with the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company, (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2 are satisfied; or

     (b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or

     (c) Consummation of a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the beneficial owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

     (d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

3. EMPLOYMENT PERIOD. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”). Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring upon the Executive any right to continue to be employed by the Company prior to the Effective Date, as defined in Section 1(a), unless this agreement is modified in writing as provided for in Section 11(a).

4. TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.

     (a) POSITION AND DUTIES.

          (i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date.

          (ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. To the extent permitted by the Code of Conduct of the Company then applicable during the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities were permitted by the Code of Conduct prior to the Effective Date and have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.

     (b) COMPENSATION.

          (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), which shall be paid in equal installments on a bi-monthly basis, at least equal to twenty-four times the highest bi-monthly base salary paid or payable, including by reason of deferral, to the Executive by the Company or its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.

          (ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each calendar year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the “Annual Bonus”) in cash at least equal to the greater of (A) the annualized maximum target bonus payable to the Executive for the year in which the Effective Date occurs, calculated as if all applicable performance measures are satisfied, or (B) the average annualized (for any year with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than twelve full months) bonus paid or payable, including by reason of any deferral, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the three calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which the Effective Date occurs (the “Recent Average Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no later than the end of February of the year next following the year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.

          (iii) Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive, savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (iv) Leave Programs. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under leave programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, sick leave, short-term disability, emergency leave, jury duty, military leave, and family and medical leave) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (v) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (vi) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable employment expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the

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Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (vii) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (viii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

          (ix) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation and other vacation benefits in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.

5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

     (a) DEATH OR DISABILITY. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred and has continued for a period of 180 consecutive days during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean that the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative.

     (b) CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i) commission of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude that is in either event materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company, (ii) substantial dependence or addiction to any drug illegally taken or to alcohol that is in either event materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or (iii) willful dereliction of duties or gross misconduct that is in either event materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company. If the Company proposes a determination that the Executive be terminated for Cause, then the Board of Directors of the Company (or the Board of the Directors of the Company’s ultimate parent if such entity is in existence) shall give written notice (which notice shall specify in detail the reasons for such proposed determination) of such proposed determination to the Executive no less than thirty (30) days prior to such proposed determination. Such determination may only be made by such Board and the Executive shall be permitted to respond and defend himself before the Board with legal counsel. If the Executive is thereafter terminated but the majority of the members of such Board do not find that the Company has

grounds for a “Cause” termination within thirty (30) days after the Executive has had his hearing before the Board, the Executive shall have the option of treating his employment as not having terminated or as being terminated by the Executive for Good Reason.

     (c) GOOD REASON; WINDOW PERIOD. The Executive’s employment may be terminated (i) during the Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason or (ii) during the Window Period by the Executive without any reason. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Window Period” shall mean the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean:

          (i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

          (ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b), other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

          (iii) the Company’s requiring the Executive to be based at any office or location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B);

          (iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or

          (v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy Section 10(c).

     For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the Executive shall be conclusive.

     (d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive without any reason during the Window Period or for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 11(b). For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall not be more than 15 days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.

     (e) DATE OF TERMINATION. “Date of Termination” means (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive during the Window Period or for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such

termination and (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.

6. OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UPON TERMINATION.

     (a) GOOD REASON OR DURING THE WINDOW PERIOD; OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment either for Good Reason or without any reason during the Window Period:

          (i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:

               A. the sum of (1) the amount of any Annual Base Salary for services rendered previously earned through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, (2) a pro-rata bonus in an amount equal to the product of (x) the Annual Bonus and (y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the calendar year that includes the Date of Termination through the date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365, and (3) any accrued vacation pay, to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations” and are hereby agreed to constitute reasonable compensation for services rendered); and

               B. two hundred, ninety-nine percent (299%) of (x) the Executive’s Annual Base Salary as of the Date of Termination and (y) the Executive’s Bonus Amount, determined in accordance with this provision (the “Severance Amount”). The Executive’s “Bonus Amount” shall mean the greater of (1) the highest annual bonus earned by the Executive for any of the three calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which a Change of Control occurs or (2) the highest Annual Bonus earned by the Executive for any calendar year ending after a Change of Control.

          (ii) for the remainder of the Employment Period, or such longer period as any plan, program, practice or policy may provide, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(v) if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect and applicable generally to other peer executives and their families during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families, provided, however, that if the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical and other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility (such continuation of such benefits for the applicable period herein set forth shall be hereinafter referred to as “Welfare Benefit Continuation”). For purposes of determining eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until the end of the Employment Period and to have retired on the last day of such period; and

          (iii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive and/or the Executive’s family is eligible to receive pursuant to this

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Agreement and under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect and applicable generally to other peer executives and their families during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).

     (b) DEATH. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than for (i) payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits and (ii) payment to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination of an amount equal to the Severance Amount.

     (c) DISABILITY. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for (i) payment of Accrued Obligations (which shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination) and the timely payment or provision of the Welfare Benefit Continuation and Other Benefits (excluding, in each case, Disability Benefits (as defined below)) and (ii) payment to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination of an amount equal to the greater of (A) the Severance Amount and (B) the present value (determined as provided in Section 280G(d)(4) of the Code) of any cash amount to be received by the Executive as a disability benefit pursuant to the terms of any plan, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliated companies, but not including any proceeds of disability insurance covering the Executive to the extent paid for directly or on a contributory basis by the Executive (which shall be paid in any event as an Other Benefit) (the benefits included in this clause (B) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Disability Benefits”).

     (d) CAUSE; OTHER THAN FOR GOOD REASON. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid. If the Executive terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination either for Good Reason or without any reason during the Window Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for the obligation to pay to the Executive the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid, and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In such case, all such amounts due to Executive under this Section 6(d) shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.

7. NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS. Except as provided in Sections 6(a)(ii), 6(b) and 6(c), nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this

Agreement; provided however, the payments and benefits provided to Executive pursuant to Section 6 of this Agreement shall be in lieu of any payments and benefits that Executive may be eligible to receive under any severance plan maintained by the Company.

8. FULL SETTLEMENT; RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.

     (a) The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others, except as provided in Section 8(b) of this Agreement. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in Section 6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay promptly as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.

     (b) If there shall be any dispute between the Company and the Executive (i) in the event of any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company, whether such termination was for Cause, or (ii) in the event of any termination of employment by the Executive, whether Good Reason existed, then, unless and until there is a final, nonappealable judgment by a court of competent jurisdiction declaring that such termination was for Cause or that the determination by the Executive of the existence of Good Reason was not made in good faith, the Company shall pay all amounts, and provide all benefits, to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family or other beneficiaries, as the case may be, that the Company would be required to pay or provide pursuant to Section 6(a) as though such termination were by the Company without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any disputed amounts pursuant to this paragraph except upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the Executive to repay all such amounts to which the Executive is ultimately adjudged by such court not to be entitled.

9. CERTAIN ADDITIONAL PAYMENTS BY THE COMPANY.

     (a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 9) (a “Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or if any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

     (b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by

a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Executive in the Executive’s sole discretion (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it will, at the same time as it makes that determination, furnish the Company and the Executive with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive’s applicable federal income tax return will not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.

     (c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:

          (i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,

          (ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,

          (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and

          (iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;

     provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, direct the Executive to contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the

Company shall determine; provided, however, that the Company shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such contest; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.

10. SUCCESSORS.

     (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives.

     (b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.

     (c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

11. MISCELLANEOUS.

     (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company and the Executive shall amend or modify this Agreement (and may do so retroactively) without any further consideration if such amendment or modification is necessary to ensure compliance with Section 409A of the Code or in order to avoid the application of any penalties that may be imposed upon the Executive pursuant to the provisions of Section 409A of the Code; provided that such amendment shall not result in the diminution in the value of payments or benefits due the Executive under this Agreement.

     (b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

		If to the Executive:
		If to the Company: Compass Bancshares, Inc.
		15 South 20th Street
		Birmingham, Alabama 35233
		Attention: D. Paul Jones, Jr.

     or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.

     (c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

     (d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

     (e) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof or any other provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v), shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this Agreement.

     (f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is “at will” and, prior to the Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time. Moreover, if prior to the Effective Date, the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, then the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement.

     (g) This Agreement is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (to the extent applicable) and the Company agrees to interpret, apply and administer this Agreement in the least restrictive manner necessary to comply with such requirements and without resulting in any diminution in the value of payments or benefits to the Executive. To the extent that any payments to be provided to the Executive under this Agreement result in the deferral of compensation under Section 409A of the Code, and if the Executive is a “Specified Employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then any such payments shall instead be transferred to a rabbi trust (which shall be created by the Employer or its successor, on terms reasonably acceptable to the Executive, as soon as administratively feasible following the occurrence of an event giving rise to the Executive’s right to such payment) and such amounts (together with earnings thereon in accordance with the terms of the trust agreement) shall be transferred from the trust to the Executive upon the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Executive’s Date of Termination, or (ii) any other date permitted under Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that any of the non-cash benefits provided to the Executive under this Agreement, including but not limited to the benefits described in Sections 6(a)(ii) and (iii), result in the deferral of compensation under Section 409A of the Code and if the Executive is a “Specified Employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then the Company or its successor shall, instead of providing such benefits to the Executive as set forth hereinabove, delay the proviso of such benefits until the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Executive’s separation from service, or (ii) such other date permitted under Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, on such date the Employer shall be required to pay to the Executive in one lump sum an amount equal to the Executive’s after-tax costs of the benefits for the period during which the provision of the benefits was delayed as a result of the application of Code Section 409A.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.

WITNESS:						EXECUTIVE:
ATTEST:						COMPASS BANCSHARES, INC.
By						By:
Its:						Title: