MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 10, 2007--U.S. Bank is offering the new Small Business Administration (SBA) Patriot Express loan through all of its 2,498 banking offices in 24 states. The Patriot Express loan helps veterans, members of the military community and their spouses or widows establish or expand their small businesses.

Eligible military community members include: veterans, service-disabled veterans, active-duty service members who are eligible for the military's Transition Assistance Program, Reservists and National Guard members, current spouses of any of the above or the widowed spouse of a service member or veteran who died during service or of a service-connected disability.

"U.S. Bank has been a leading SBA lender for decades. Our extension of the SBA Patriot Express loan through U.S. Bank offices is a natural step in helping America's service men and women, and their families, sustain business ventures during or after they have served our country on deployment," said David Bartram, president of U.S. Bank SBA Division.

SBA Patriot Express loans with U.S. Bank are available up to $500,000 and qualify for the SBA's maximum guaranty of up to 85 percent for loans of $150,000 or less, and up to 75 percent for loans of $150,001 to $250,000. Loans can be used for most business purposes, including start-up, expansion, equipment purchases, working capital, inventory or business-occupied real-estate purchases.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), with $221 billion in assets, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the 6th largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 2,498 banking offices and 4,837 ATMs, and provides a comprehensive line of banking, brokerage, insurance, investment, mortgage, trust and payment services products to consumers, businesses and institutions. Visit U.S. Bancorp on the web at www.usbank.com.

    CONTACT: U.S. Bank
             Teri Charest, 612-303-0732
             teri.charest@usbank.com

    SOURCE: U.S. Bank