Exhibit 99

                       Press Release Dated April 20, 2000


Date:             April 20, 2000

Contact:          Larry R. Goddard
                  Investor Relations Department
                  (402) 390-6553



                              FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                              ---------------------

     Omaha, Nebraska (April 20, 2000)--Commercial Federal Corporation (NYSE:CFB)
announced that James A. Laphen, president and chief operating officer, will
retire from the company, effective December 31, 2000.

     "Jim Laphen has made significant contributions to Commercial Federal," said
William A. Fitzgerald, chairman of the board and chief executive officer. "When
Jim joined us 12 years ago we were about half the asset size, had less than 70
branches, and our services were limited to those of a traditional thrift. As a
result of his role in our expansion program over that time, Commercial Federal
is now a powerful regional banking franchise, with a leading presence in
America's heartland," Mr. Fitzgerald explained.

     Mr. Laphen joined the bank in 1988 from Home Unity Mortgage Services, where
he was president and chief executive officer. He is a graduate of Drexel
University. "It's been professionally and personally rewarding being a part of
such an energized and talented team, and gratifying to see the growth and
transformation of Commercial Federal brought about by a lot of hard work. I want
to make sure that in my last months with the bank, we have a smooth transition,"
Mr. Laphen said. "When that transition is complete, I look forward to spending
more time with my family and expanding my professional horizons," he concluded.


     Commercial Federal said that it had retained Heidrick & Struggles to
identify candidates to replace Mr. Laphen.

     Commercial Federal Corporation is the parent company of Commercial Federal
Bank, which currently operates 256 retail offices in Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas,
Colorado, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arizona, and Minnesota.