Top executives and select employees of Minneapolis-based U.S. Bancorp rang the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Friday as part of a corporate celebration of the company's 150th anniversary.

U.S. Bank's national charter, which is based in Cincinnati, was signed on July 13, 1863, during the Civil War. It is now the fifth-largest commercial bank in the nation, with $355 billion in assets.

Richard Davis, chief executive officer, and Andrew Cecere, chief financial officer, shared the ceremony with 10 bank employees, including two of the longest-serving staffers, four who are in the military and four who won internal contests to participate. A sign commemorating the anniversary was draped outside the NYSE's main facade earlier Friday.

Executives from another Twin Cities-area company, General Mills Inc., rang the opening bell at the NYSE on Tuesday.

Steve Alexander