MINNEAPOLIS, Aug 17, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

U.S. Bank has established the U.S. Bank Military Service Center, a dedicated customer service line for military members and their families that will be staffed with bankers familiar with the Servicemember's Civil Relief Act, as well as the unique financial circumstances faced by members of the military and their families.

The Military Service Center can be reached at 800-934-9555 and will be open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to midnight ET, with back-up support from U.S. Bank 24-hour banking during off hours. U.S. Bank has also designated (513) 277-5899 for customers who are overseas and need to call collect.

"U.S. Bank has a strong tradition of supporting members of the military through the establishment of an employee veteran and active duty program, and now through the establishment of the U.S. Bank Military Service Center," said Rick Hartnack, vice chairman and head of U.S. Bank Consumer and Small Business Banking, and a veteran of the Vietnam War. "Now, when the heroes who serve our country and their families need assistance with their banking, mortgage or consumer loans, U.S. Bank has a one-stop shop dedicated to their specific needs, in addition to the traditional service channels that have been available in the past."

Hartnack is one of two vice chairmen at U.S. Bancorp who are veterans. The other is Richard Payne, vice chairman of wholesale and corporate banking. Approximately 1,600 U.S. Bank employees are veterans or active duty National Guard and Reserve. U.S. Bank has been recognized by organizations including Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), G.I. Jobs and Military Times magazines for its support of its military employees.

The U.S. Bank Military Service Center complements other services U.S. Bank offers military customers, including a waiver of the monthly maintenance fee on any consumer checking account, as well as a special SBA Patriot Express loan for qualified borrowers who are returning from service and wish to start their own business.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $321 billion in assets as of June 30, 2011, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth-largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,086 banking offices in 25 states and 5,086 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.

SOURCE: U.S. Bank

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