Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements and related prospectuses of U.S. Bancorp (formed as a result of the consolidation of First Bank System, Inc. and the former U.S. Bancorp) of our report dated January 9, 1997 (except for the consolidation of First Bank System, Inc. and the former U.S. Bancorp, as to which the date is August 1, 1997) with respect to the supplemental consolidated financial statements of U.S. Bancorp included in its Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 30, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration Form Statement No. Purpose ---- ------------- ------- S-8 33-16242 1987 Stock Option Plan S-8 33-42333 Employee Stock Purchase Plan S-8 33-55932 WCIC Options S-8 33-52835 1988 Equity Participation Plan S-8 333-01099 FirsTier Financial, Inc. Omnibus Equity Plan (as assumed by First Bank System, Inc.) S-8 333-01421 1994 & 1991 Stock Incentive Plan S-8 333-02623 1996 Stock Incentive Plan S-8 333-02621 Amended & Restated Employee Stock Purchase Plan S-8 333-21291 Capital Accumulation Plan S-8 333-32653 Employee Investment Plan S-8 333-32635 1997 Stock Incentive Plan S-3 33-33508 Dividend Reinvestment Plan S-3 33-57169 Metropolitan Financial Corporation warrants S-3 33-58521 $1 billion shelf registration S-3 33-61667 Warrants for settlement of Edina Realty litigation S-3 33-62251 Southwest Holdings, Inc. acquisition S-3 333-01455 $1.5 billion universal shelf registration S-3 333-02983 Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan S-3 333-32701 Automatic Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan (1997 DRIP) S-4 333-16991 $300 million Capital Securities /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota September 30, 1997