U.S. Bancorp CEO Drives Growth as Bank Expands Services
As U.S. Bancorp scales through new partnerships, small-business operators should evaluate how these changes affect their financing.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Financial Services
Live Poll
Do you believe the number of women leading major financial institutions is growing in your nation?
Gunjan Kedia, CEO and Chairman of Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp, has been named the second most powerful woman in banking in the 2026 American Banker rankings. The recognition follows a year in which Kedia oversaw a 46% stock gain for the institution, which currently holds $726 billion in assets.
Why it matters
The ranking highlights a significant leadership transition and strategic pivot at U.S. Bancorp since Kedia took the helm in April 2025. Her tenure has been marked by aggressive growth moves, including the acquisition of capital markets firm BTIG and high-profile partnerships with Amazon and the NFL to expand small-business services.
U.S. Bancorp holds $726 billion in assets, and under Kedia's leadership, the bank achieved a 46% stock gain in her first year as CEO. These figures place her at No. 2 in the 2026 American Banker power rankings, trailing Jane Fraser, whose institution reported $85.2 billion in revenue last year.
The players
Gunjan Kedia
The Chairman and CEO of U.S. Bancorp who oversees the strategy and operations of the Minneapolis-based financial institution.
U.S. Bancorp
A major Minneapolis-based financial services company with $726 billion in assets that provides consumer, business, and capital markets banking services.
Jane Fraser
The top-ranked executive on the 2026 American Banker list who manages an institution that generated $85.2 billion in revenue last year.
Tasnim Ghiawadwala
A banking leader who holds the 20th position on the 2026 American Banker list of most powerful women in banking.
BTIG
A capital markets firm acquired by U.S. Bancorp to expand its investment banking and trading capabilities.
The details
Since assuming the CEO role in April 2025, Kedia has actively reshaped the bank's operational footprint through capital markets expansion and direct-to-business retail initiatives. By acquiring BTIG and launching a specialized small-business credit card with Amazon, the bank is attempting to capture a larger share of the enterprise and small-business lending markets. The NFL sponsorship serves as the brand's primary vehicle to drive visibility for these new service offerings among small-business owners and corporate clients.
Timeline
April 2025: Gunjan Kedia became CEO of U.S. Bancorp.
2026: Gunjan Kedia named Chairman of the Board.
2026: American Banker released its annual power rankings.
Market Landscape
Kedia's rise occurs within the 24th annual American Banker Most Powerful Women in Banking program, which tracks executive influence across the financial sector. Her position reflects a trend of established banks pursuing aggressive M&A and digital partnerships to diversify revenue streams.
Business owners should monitor U.S. Bancorp's service offerings, as the bank's integration of the Amazon-branded credit card and its new NFL-linked marketing may influence future small-business financing terms. Keep a close eye on the bank's evolving credit product suite to see if these partnerships lower the barrier to entry for capital.
The takeaway
The rapid stock appreciation under Kedia signals a potential shift in risk appetite and service expansion for U.S. Bancorp that could affect local business borrowers. Review your current banking relationships to determine if the bank's expanded portfolio of services, including the new credit card offerings, offers more competitive terms for your operations.
Further reading
For more on industry shifts in this sector, see Financial Services.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The American Bazaar.
Live Poll
Do you believe the number of women leading major financial institutions is growing in your nation?
