Commercial Federal Shareholders Approve Merger with Bank of the West

Commercial Federal Corporation (NYSE:CFB) announced
today that its shareholders have approved its merger with Bank of the
West. Over 79% of the votes cast at the special meeting of
shareholders were cast in favor of the transaction. Under the terms of
the merger agreement, each share of Commercial Federal common stock
will be converted into the right to receive $34.00 in cash. Commercial
Federal will also declare a special dividend of $.50 per share payable
to shareholders of record immediately prior to the completion of the
merger. The transaction is expected to close December 2, 2005, subject
to satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

   About Commercial Federal Corporation

   Commercial Federal Corporation (NYSE:CFB) is the parent company of
Commercial Federal Bank, a $10.2 billion federal savings bank with
branches located in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma,
Missouri and Arizona. Commercial Federal operations include consumer
and commercial banking services, including retail banking, commercial
and industrial lending, small business banking, construction lending,
cash management, mortgage origination and servicing, and insurance and
investment services.

   Forward Looking Statements

   This release contains forward-looking statements, including
statements regarding anticipated timing of the transaction. Such
statements reflect management's best judgment as of this date, but
they involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those presented. Factors that could cause
such differences include, without limitation the risk that the
transaction closing is delayed or that the transaction does not close
and other factors described in our recent filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission. Readers should carefully consider those risks
and uncertainties in reading this release. Except as otherwise
required by law, Commercial Federal Corporation disclaims any
obligation to update any forward-looking statements included herein to
reflect future events or developments.