ReliaCard Visa Debit Card

The U.S. Bank ReliaCard® Visa® was recently honored as the “Best Government-Funded Program” at the 2010 Paybefore Awards. The Paybefore Awards recognize the best products and programs in the prepaid business. Paybefore, a leading publisher of information for the prepaid industry, organizes the annual awards.

“Our ReliaCard program offers government agencies an innovative, cost-effective solution for their funds disbursement needs,” said Ralph Bianco, senior vice president, U.S. Bank Retail Payment Solutions. “We’re proud to be recognized by Paybefore as a leader in government prepaid programs.”

U.S. Bank was selected by a panel of five industry experts who served as judges for this year’s competition. In January, judges chose three winners in 16 different categories. These winners then vied for “best in category” distinction at an awards ceremony Feb. 22.

“Paybefore applauds the leaders in our industry who are applying the flexibility and appeal of prepaid to innovate on behalf of consumers, governments and businesses,” said Marilyn Bochicchio, Paybefore CEO and chair of the judging panel. “U.S. Bank has distinguished itself in a tough field of competition. We are proud to recognize its contributions to advancing the use of prepaid products.”

The U.S. Bank ReliaCard Visa is a reloadable card designed to replace costly paper checks for government agencies with recurring disbursement activities, such as child support or unemployment insurance. Cards are issued through a partnership with state agencies, and cardholders can use the cards everywhere Visa Debit cards are accepted worldwide. Visit www.usbank.com/reliacardvisa for details.

U.S. Bank Retail Payment Solutions (RPS) is one of the nation’s leading providers of payment processing, issuing and advisory services. RPS offers credit, debit, and prepaid payment solutions to consumers and small businesses through U.S. Bank and in partnership with financial institutions, businesses, governments and employers.

About Paybefore

Paybefore is the leading information provider to prepaid and stored value industry professionals, offering the latest news, commentary and analysis. Paybefore’s family of industry publications include: Paybefore.com, a searchable online information portal; Paybefore News, daily news briefs delivered electronically; Paybefore News International, a weekly compilation of prepaid news and events from outside the United States; Paybefore Update, a downloadable enewsletter delivered 20 times a year; Paybefore Legal, a downloadable enewsletter covering the legislative, regulatory and judicial developments in prepaid, as well as feature articles by leading attorneys in the field; Paybefore Magazine, a biannual print publication highlighting the best of Paybefore; and Paybefore Buyer’s Guide, available online and in print. Visit us at www.paybefore.com.

About U.S. Bancorp

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE: USB), with $281 billion in assets as of Dec. 31, 2009, is the parent company of U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States. The company operates 3,015 banking offices in 25 states and 5,148 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 usbank.com.