As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 1, 1997
Registration No. 333-______

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

U.S. BANCORP
(Formerly known as First Bank System, Inc.)

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              Delaware                             41-0255900
    (State or other jurisdiction                (I.R.S. Employer
  of incorporation or organization)            Identification No.)

          First Bank Place
       601 Second Avenue South
       Minneapolis, Minnesota                       55402-4302
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)            (Zip Code)

                                   U.S. BANCORP

EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN
(Full title of the plan)

          Lee R. Mitau, Esq.
             U.S. Bancorp              Copy to:  Patrick F. Courtemanche, Esq.
           First Bank Place                     Dorsey & Whitney LLP
        601 Second Avenue South                Pillsbury Center South
    Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302          220 South Sixth Street
(Name and address of agent for service)    Minneapolis, Minnesota  55402-1498

(612) 973-1111
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

=========================================================================================================
                                               Proposed maximum    Proposed maximum     Amount of
Title of securities to be       Amount to be  offering price per  aggregate offering  registration
  registered                     registered        share(1)            price (1)           fee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Common Stock, $1.25 par value   2,000,000     $ 87.00             $174,000,000          $52,728
=========================================================================================================

(1) Pursuant to Rule 457(h)(1), the proposed maximum offering price per share and the proposed maximum aggregate offering price are based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on July 25, 1997.

Pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement also covers an indeterminate amount of interests in the U.S. Bancorp Employee Investment Plan to be offered and sold pursuant to such plan.


PART II.
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE.

The following documents that have been filed by U.S. Bancorp (formerly known as First Bank System, Inc.)(the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, as of their respective dates:

(a) First Bank System, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996;

(b) First Bank System, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ending March 31, 1997;

(c) First Bank System, Inc.'s two Current Reports on Form 8-K filed March 20, 1997 and the Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 24, 1997;

(d) the description of the Company's Common Stock contained in Item 1 of the Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated March 19, 1984, as amended in its entirety by that Form 8 Amendment dated February 26, 1993 and that Form 8-A/A-2 dated October 6, 1994, and any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description filed subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering described herein.

All documents filed by the Company or by the Company's Employee Investment Plan (the "Plan") pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), subsequent to the date hereof and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be a part hereof from the respective dates of filing of such documents.

ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES.

The description of the Company's capital stock to be offered pursuant to this Registration Statement has been incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement as described in Item 3 of this Part II.

ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL.

Not applicable.

ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law contains detailed provisions for indemnification of directors and officers of Delaware corporations against expenses, judgments, fines and settlements in connection with litigation.

Article Ninth of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that a director shall not be liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of

-2-

fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, (iii) under the Delaware statutory provision making directors personally liable for unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions, or (iv) for any transaction for which the directors derived an improper personal benefit.

The Bylaws of the Company provide that the officers and directors of the Company shall be indemnified to the full extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended from time to time. The Board of Directors has discretion to indemnify any employee of the Company for actions arising by reason of the employee's employment with the Company. Expenses incurred by officers and directors in defending actions, suits, or proceedings shall be paid by the Company in advance of any final disposition if such officer or director agrees to repay such amounts if it is ultimately determined that he or she is not entitled to be indemnified under Delaware law.

The Company maintains a standard policy of officers' and directors' liability insurance.

ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED.

No securities are to be reoffered or resold pursuant to this Registration Statement.

ITEM 8. EXHIBITS.

EXHIBIT NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION
--------------                     -----------

      4.1       Specimen certificate representing the Common Stock of the
                Company.

      4.2       Form of Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the
                Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated June 17,
                1997, File No. 333-29409).

      4.3       Form of Proposed Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Registration
                Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-29409).

      4.4       Certificate of Designation for the Company's Series 1990A
                Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to
                Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.5       Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990, among
                Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P.,
                The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company
                (without exhibits) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8
                to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.6       First Amendment, dated as of June 30, 1990, to Stock Purchase
                Agreement among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore
                Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida
                and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to
                Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

-3-

4.7 Second Amendment, dated as of July 18, 1990, to Stock Purchase Agreement among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.10 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.8 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990, between The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company (without exhibits) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.9 Form of Periodic Stock Purchase Right (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.10 Form of Risk Event Warrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.11 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1990, among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.12 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1990, between The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.13 Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt are not filed. The Company agrees to furnish a copy thereof to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

23.3 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

24.1 Power of Attorney.

The Company has submitted or will submit the Plan and any amendments thereto to the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") in a timely manner and has made or will make all changes required by the IRS in order to qualify the Plan under
Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

-4-

ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS.

A. POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENTS.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement.

(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

-5-

B. SUBSEQUENT DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

C. CLAIMS FOR INDEMNIFICATION.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or other controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

-6-

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on August 1, 1997.

U.S. BANCORP

By /s/ John F. Grundhofer
  ---------------------------------
   John F. Grundhofer
   President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:

    NAME                         TITLE                               DATE
    ----                         -----                               ----

/S/ John F. Grundhofer        President Chief                   August 1, 1997
--------------------------    Executive Officer and Director
John F. Grundhofer            (principal executive officer)

/S/ Susan E. Lester           Executive Vice President and      August 1, 1997
--------------------------    Chief Financial Officer
Susan E. Lester               (principal financial officer)

/S/ David J. Parrin           Senior Vice President and         August 1, 1997
--------------------------    Controller (principal
David J. Parrin               accounting officer)

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Linda L. Ahlers

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Harry L. Bettis

         *
--------------------------    Director and Chairman             August 1, 1997
Gerry B. Cameron

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Carolyn Silva Chambers

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Arthur D. Collins, Jr.

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Peter H. Coors

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Franklin G. Drake

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Robert L. Dryden

-7-

    NAME                         TITLE                               DATE
    ----                         -----                               ----

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
John B. Fery

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Joshua Green III

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Roger L. Hale

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Delbert W. Johnson

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Norman M. Jones

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Richard L. Knowlton

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Jerry W. Levin

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Kenneth A. Macke

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Allen T. Noble

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Edward J. Phillips

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Paul A. Redmond

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
S. Walter Richey

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Richard L. Robinson

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
N. Stewart Rogers


--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Richard L. Schall

-8-

    NAME                         TITLE                               DATE
    ----                         -----                               ----

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Walter Scott, Jr.

         *
--------------------------    Director                          August 1, 1997
Benjamin R. Whiteley




*By /S/ David J. Parrin
   -----------------------
David  J. Parrin
Pro se and as Attorney-in-fact

-9-

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Plan has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Minneapolis, State of Minnesota, on the 1st day of August, 1997.

U.S. BANCORP
EMPLOYEE INVESTMENT PLAN

By: U.S. Bancorp Employee Investment Plan
Benefit Administration Committee

By:   /s/ Joseph O. Weissenborn
     --------------------------------------
     Joseph O. Weissenborn
     Benefit Administration Committee Member

-10-

EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION
--------------                     -----------

      4.1       Specimen certificate representing the Common Stock of the
                Company.

      4.2       Form of Proposed Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
                Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the
                Company's Registration Statement on Form S-4, dated June 17,
                1997, File No. 333-29409).

      4.3       Form of Proposed Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 3.4 to the Company's Registration
                Statement on Form S-4, File No. 333-29409).

      4.4       Certificate of Designation for the Company's Series 1990A
                Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to
                Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.5       Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990, among
                Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P.,
                The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company
                (without exhibits) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8
                to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.6       First Amendment, dated as of June 30, 1990, to Stock Purchase
                Agreement among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore
                Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida
                and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 to
                Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.7       Second Amendment, dated as of July 18, 1990, to Stock
                Purchase Agreement among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate
                Offshore Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of
                Florida and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
                4.10 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration
                Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.8       Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 1990, between
                The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company
                (without exhibits) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.11
                to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on
                Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.9       Form of Periodic Stock Purchase Right (incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 4.12 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's
                Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

      4.10      Form of Risk Event Warrant (incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit 4.13 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration
                Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

-11-

4.11 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1990, among Corporate Partners, L.P., Corporate Offshore Partners, L.P., The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.12 Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of July 18, 1990, between The State Board of Administration of Florida and the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 33-42650).

4.13 Pursuant to Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, copies of instruments defining the rights of holders of long-term debt are not filed. The Company agrees to furnish a copy thereof to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.

23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP.

23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

23.3 Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

24.1 Power of Attorney.

-12-

                             [FRONT OF CERTIFICATE]

NUMBER                                                      SHARES
US________                                                 _________
     COMMON STOCK                                          COMMON STOCK

                                  U.S. BANCORP

    INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS                  CUSIP 902973 10 6
     OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE           SEE REVERSE FOR CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

THIS CERTIFIES THAT

_______________________________________________________________________________




IS THE OWNER OF _______________________________________________________________

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF THE COMMON STOCK
OF $1.25 PAR VALUE OF

U.S. BANCORP, TRANSFERABLE ON THE BOOKS OF THE CORPORATION BY THE HOLDER HEREOF IN PERSON OR BY DULY AUTHORIZED ATTORNEY, UPON SURRENDER OF THIS CERTIFICATE PROPERLY ENDORSED. THIS CERTIFICATE IS NOT VALID UNLESS COUNTERSIGNED BY THE TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTERED BY THE REGISTRAR.

WITNESS THE SEAL OF THE CORPORATION AND THE FACSIMILE SIGNATURES OF ITS DULY

AUTHORIZED OFFICERS.

DATED:

U.S. BANCORP
CORPORATE SEAL
1929
DELAWARE

/s/     Lee R. Matau                    /s/     John. F. Grundhofer
------------------------------         ----------------------------------------
     Secretary                          President and Chief Executive Officer

Countersigned and Registered:
FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY OF NEW YORK

Transfer Agent and Registrar

/s/
-----------------------------------
     Authorized Signature


[BACK OF CERTIFICATE]

U.S. Bancorp will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests a statement of the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Such requests may be made to the office of the secretary of the Corporation or to the transfer agent.

The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

TEN COM-  as tenant in common                     UNIF GIFT MIN ACT- _________ CUSTODIAN ________
TEN ENT-  as tenants by the entireties                                  (Cust)             (Minor)
JT TEN-   as joint tenants with right of          under Uniform Gifts to Minors
          survivorship and not as tenants         Act __________________________
          in common                                           (State)

Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.

FOR VALUE RECEIVED _______________________HEREBY SELL, ASSIGN, AND TRANSFER

UNTO

PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE ___________________________________________



PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME AND ADDRESS OF ASSIGNEE



_____________________________________ SHARES OF THE CAPITAL STOCK REPRESENTED BY THE WITHIN CERTIFICATE, AND DO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY CONSTITUTE AND APPOINT ___________________________ ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER THE SAID STOCK ON THE BOOKS OF THE WITHIN-NAMED CORPORATION WITH FULL POWER OF SUBSTITUTION IN THE PREMISES.

DATED

AFFIX MEDALLION SIGNATURE
GUARANTEE IMPRINT BELOW                 _______________________________________
                                                   (SIGNATURE)

                                        _______________________________________
                                                   (SIGNATURE)

                                        _______________________________________
                                        ABOVE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS ASSIGNMENT
                                        MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN
                                        UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN
                                        EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR
                                        ENLARGEMENT, OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

                                        THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY
                                        AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION SUCH
                                        AS A SECURITIES BROKER/DEALER,
                                        COMMERCIAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY, SAVINGS
                                        AND LOAN ASSOCIATION OR A CREDIT UNION
                                        PARTICIPATING IN A MEDALLION PROGRAM
                                        APPROVED BY THE SECURITIES TRANSFER
                                        ASSOCIATION, INC.


EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the U.S. Bancorp Employee Investment Plan to be filed on or around August 1, 1997 of our report dated January 9, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of First Bank System, Inc. included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota
July 30, 1997


EXHIBIT 23.2

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of U.S. Bancorp (the "Company") on Form S-8, regarding the Company's Employee Investment Plan, of our report dated January 31, 1997 for the year ended December 31, 1996 of U.S. Bancorp prior to its merger with First Bank System, Inc., expected to be consummated on or about August 1, 1997, incorporated by reference in Form 8-K, of the Company, filed June 24, 1997.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

July 29, 1997


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of U.S. Bancorp (formerly known as First Bank System, Inc.) on Form S-8 in connection with the U.S. Bancorp Employee Investment Plan, of our report dated January 19, 1995, on our audit of the consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and cash flows of West One Bancorp and subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 1994, which report is incorporated by reference in the U.S. Bancorp 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Boise, Idaho


July 29, 1997


Exhibit 24.1

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Lee R. Mitau, Susan E. Lester and David J. Parrin, and each of them, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-8 of U.S. Bancorp, and any and all amendments thereto, including post-effective amendments, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, each acting alone, full power and authority to do and perform to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in- fact and agents, each acting alone, or the substitutes for such attorneys-in-fact and agents, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. The authority under this Power of Attorney shall be effective upon the consummation of the merger of U. S. Bancorp, an Oregon corporation, with and into First Bank System, Inc., a Delaware corporation and renamed "U.S. Bancorp".

       Signature                      Title                         Date
       ---------                      -----                         ----

/s/ John F. Grundhofer          President, Chief                 August 1, 1997
----------------------   Executive Officer and Director
John F. Grundhofer        (principal executive officer)


/s/ Susan E. Lester         Executive Vice President             August 1, 1997
----------------------     and Chief Financial Officer
Susan E. Lester           (principal financial officer)


                              Senior Vice President              ________, 1997
---------------------            and Controller
David J. Parrin               (principal accounting
                                    officer)


/s/ Linda L. Ahlers                 Director                     August 1, 1997
---------------------
Linda L. Ahlers


/s/ Harry L. Bettis                 Director                     July 11, 1997
---------------------
Harry L. Bettis


/s/ Gerry B. Cameron          Chairman and Director              August 1, 1997
---------------------
Gerry B. Cameron


       Signature                      Title                         Date
       ---------                      -----                         ----


/s/ Carolyn Silva Chambers          Director                     July 10, 1997
--------------------------
Carolyn Silva Chambers


/s/ Arthur D. Collins, Jr.          Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Arthur D. Collins, Jr.


/s/ Peter H. Coors                  Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Peter H. Coors


/s/ Franklin G. Drake               Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Franklin G. Drake


/s/ Robert L. Dryden                Director                     July 10, 1997
--------------------------
Robert L. Dryden


/s/ John B. Fery                    Director                     July 10, 1997
--------------------------
John B. Fery


/s/ Joshua Green III                Director                     July 16, 1997
--------------------------
Joshua Green III


/s/ Roger L. Hale                   Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Roger L. Hale


/s/ Delbert W. Johnson              Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Delbert W. Johnson


/s/ Norman M. Jones                 Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Norman M. Jones


/s/ Richard L. Knowlton             Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Richard L. Knowlton

2

       Signature                      Title                         Date
       ---------                      -----                         ----

/s/ Jerry W. Levin                  Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Jerry W. Levin


/s/ Kenneth A. Macke                Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Kenneth A. Macke


/s/ Allen T. Noble                  Director                     July 15, 1997
--------------------------
Allen T. Noble


/s/ Edward J. Phillips              Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Edward J. Phillips


/s/ Paul A. Redmond                 Director                     July 11, 1997
--------------------------
Paul A. Redmond


/s/ S. Walter Richey                Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
S. Walter Richey


/s/ Richard L. Robinson             Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Richard L. Robinson


/s/ N. Stewart Rogers               Director                     July 10, 1997
--------------------------
N. Stewart Rogers


                                    Director                     _______, 1997
--------------------------
Richard L. Schall


/s/ Walter Scott, Jr.               Director                     August 1, 1997
--------------------------
Walter Scott, Jr.


/s/ Benjamin R. Whiteley            Director                     July 14, 1997
--------------------------
Benjamin R. Whiteley

3