Exhibit 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-60725, 333-81371, and 333-90798) and Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-57003, 33-65437, 333-15115, 333-15117, 333-67835, 333-86455, 333-90806, 333-101674, and 333-101975) of Compass Bancshares, Inc. of our report dated June 25, 2004 relating to the financial statements of the Compass Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Birmingham, Alabama
June 25, 2004