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MINNEAPOLIS--([ BUSINESS WIRE ])--American Banker magazine has honored U.S. Bancorp women in the magazineas aMost Powerful Women in Bankinga annual issue released today. Pamela Joseph and Leslie Godridge are included among the a25 Most Powerful Women in Banking,a Lynn Heitman was named a aWoman to Watcha and, for the sixth time, a team of 84 U.S. Bancorp women was chosen as a 2012 Top Banking Team.

"I am proud of the U.S. Bank women recognized this year who have led their businesses and helped their customers through tough economic times, and who have inspired us all to remember the promise we share as bankers to fuel our nationas rebounding economy with innovative ideas, capital and expertise."

aLeading is easy when times are good, but the true test of a leaderas character comes when times are challenging,a said Richard Davis, chairman, president and chief executive officer of U.S. Bancorp. aI am proud of the U.S. Bank women recognized this year who have led their businesses and helped their customers through tough economic times, and who have inspired us all to remember the promise we share as bankers to fuel our nationas rebounding economy with innovative ideas, capital and expertise.a

Joseph, vice chair of U.S. Bancorp and head of the companyas $4.6 billion payment services division, was the highest-ranking U.S. Bancorp woman on the aMost Powerfula list, earning the #5 position for 2012. It is the seventh year that she has been included in the most powerful women ranking.

Godridge, executive vice president of national corporate and institutional banking, ranked #16 on the list of most powerful women. This is the second consecutive year she has been included in the aMost Powerful Women in Bankinga list. In her five years with U.S. Bank, Godridge has grown the national corporate and institutional portfolio 250 percent and greatly expanded the bank's wholesale presence in the Eastern half of the nation. This growth includes new customers and significant expansion of relationships with existing customers.

Heitman, senior vice president of retail payment solutions, ranked #20 among the a25 Women to Watch.a Heitman leads the companyas bank-branded consumer credit and debit card businesses which comprise approximately half of U.S. Bankas retail payments revenue. Heitman is recognized for her leadership in driving innovation and investment in new products and benefits for customers, the retail sales channel and improved customer experience.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $353 billion in assets as of June 30, 2012, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,080 banking offices in 25 states and 5,085 ATMs and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. U.S. Bancorp and its employees are dedicated to improving the communities they serve, for which the company earned the 2011 Spirit of America Award, the highest honor bestowed on a company by United Way. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at [ www.usbank.com ].