U.S. Bank: Embedded Payments, Stablecoins Are Growth Drivers

Core Insights - U.S. Bancorp's third-quarter earnings showed growth in deposits, improved credit metrics, and advancements in embedded payments as key drivers of performance [1][3] Group 1: Financial Performance - Consumer deposits now account for over 52% of total average deposits, reflecting a year-over-year increase of more than 2% [3] - Overall average deposits reached $511.8 billion in the latest quarter, compared to $508.8 billion a year ago [4] - Fee income is expected to grow in the mid-single digits, supported by interconnected product offerings [4] Group 2: Credit Quality - Key credit quality metrics, including nonperforming assets and net charge-offs, improved both sequentially and year-over-year [4] - The company reported strong spending trends and favorable credit conditions, with loss rates significantly decreasing this quarter [5] Group 3: Business Segments - The merchant business experienced a strong quarter, driven by success in key verticals and tech-led strategies [5] - $45 billion of the loan book is tied to non-deposit financial institutions, representing about 12% of the total loan book [5] Group 4: Future Initiatives - The company is exploring stablecoins in two areas: capital markets and as a payment rail, with pilot programs planned for the near term [2][6][8] - Efforts include onboarding stablecoins into the banking system and providing stablecoin services as a payment vehicle [8]