S&P Raises U.S. Bancorp Credit Ratings

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB) is proving why it was on our own proprietary list of the 7 Safest Large Banks in America.  Standard & Poor’s has just raised the bank’s corporate credit rating, something which very few banks can claim (and expect) in the current climate.  Today’s rating upgrade went up to “A+” from “A” on its long-term issuer credit rating and it reaffirmed the “A-1” short-term issuer rating.  Its issuer credit rating was also raised to “AA-” from “”A+” on its operating subsidiaries, and its short-term issuer credit rating went up to “A-1+” from “A-1” today.

S&P said its upgrade is based on the belief that US Bancorp will outperform peers with significant earnings and revenue growth while still maintaining a conservative growth strategy and solid capitalization.  If that is not a compliment in today’s regulatory climate then a real compliment is not possible.

Read Also: The 7 Safest Banks in America

S&P’s outlook is now stable as the credit quality should improve with net charge-offs running below that of peers. It is no surprise that Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-B, BRK-A) holds some 66 million shares, but Team Buffett has slightly lowered that amount in the latest holdings of the Buffett empire.

U.S. Bancorp shares are up 0.3% at $33.21 against a 52-week trading range of $20.10 to $34.10.

JON C. OGG