Jan 28 (Reuters) - U.S. Bancorp ( USB ) announced on Tuesday that President Gunjan Kedia

will become its chief executive, effective April 15, becoming the first woman in the bank's

history to take up the role.

Kedia joins only a handful of women CEOs in the finance sector, with Jane Fraser at the helm

of Citigroup ( C/PN ), one of the largest banks in the U.S.

She will replace Andy Cecere, who served as the company's CEO since 2017 and as its chairman

since 2018.

Cecere, who has spent about four decades with U.S. Bancorp ( USB ), had also served in key roles

such as chief operating officer and the finance chief.

"It has been a tremendous honor and a privilege I value deeply, and I believe the time is

right to welcome Gunjan warmly to the role I've held for nearly eight years," Cecere said in a

statement.

The outgoing CEO, who steered the deal with Union Bank that expanded the company's presence

in California, will serve as executive chairman, continuing to lead the board of directors.

Kedia, an industry veteran, joined the bank in 2016 and oversaw the revenue lines, the bank

said.

Before joining U.S. Bancorp ( USB ), she also held global executive roles at State Street

and BNY and key roles at consultancy firms McKinsey and Company and PwC.

U.S. Bancorp ( USB ) reported a rise in fourth-quarter profit earlier in the month, helped by an

increase in trust and investment management fees.

The bank forecast a total net revenue growth of between 3% and 5% for 2025.