Ever looked at a ten-dollar bill and wondered why that guy—Alexander Hamilton—is staring back at you instead of a President? It’s because he set the template. He was the first. Since 1789, the list of US secretary of treasury has grown to include 79 different names, each one holding the keys to the most powerful vault on the planet.
Right now, in 2026, Scott Bessent is the person in that seat. He took over from Janet Yellen in early 2025. Honestly, the job hasn't changed much in spirit since the 1700s, but the stakes? They’re astronomical. We’re talking about managing trillions in debt, printing the world's reserve currency, and keeping the global economy from face-planting.
The Heavy Hitters Who Built the System
You can't talk about the list of US secretary of treasury without starting with Hamilton. He wasn't just a face on a bill; he was a frantic genius who took a country that was basically bankrupt and gave it a credit score. He established the first National Bank and insisted the federal government take on state debts from the Revolutionary War.
Then you’ve got Albert Gallatin. He served for nearly 13 years under Jefferson and Madison—the longest stint in history. He was the "anti-Hamilton" in some ways, obsessing over reducing debt, yet he had to find the cash to fund the Louisiana Purchase. Imagine writing that check.
Modern Titans and Crisis Managers
Fast forward to the 1920s. Andrew Mellon served three different presidents. He was one of the richest men in the world at the time and believed in cutting taxes to spur growth. People still argue about his "Mellon Plan" today.
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In more recent memory, we’ve seen:
- Robert Rubin (1995-1999): The Clinton years. He’s often credited with the budget surpluses of the late 90s.
- Hank Paulson (2006-2009): He was the guy on the front lines when the 2008 housing bubble popped. He basically had to beg Congress for the TARP bailout money.
- Janet Yellen (2021-2025): The first woman to hold the job. She came into a post-pandemic world with skyrocketing inflation and left a legacy of "modern supply-side economics."
Why the List of US Secretary of Treasury Matters to You
It sounds like dry history. It’s not. Every name on this list made a decision that affects your bank account right now.
Take Salmon P. Chase (1861-1864). He’s the reason we have a national banking system and paper "greenbacks." Before him, banks just printed their own weird money. It was chaos. He also put "In God We Trust" on coins.
Then there’s the sheer variety of people who have held the office. We’ve had industrialist billionaires like Mellon, career politicians like Lloyd Bentsen, and academic giants like Larry Summers. Now, we have Scott Bessent, a hedge fund veteran who is the first openly gay Treasury Secretary in a Republican administration.
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The Changing Guard (2020-2026)
The last few years have been a whirlwind. Steven Mnuchin handled the initial COVID relief checks. Janet Yellen focused on international tax floors and green energy subsidies.
Scott Bessent, the current 79th Secretary, has shifted the focus toward securing critical mineral supply chains and using Treasury powers as a tool for national security. He’s been in the headlines recently for cracking down on international fraud and convening G7 leaders to talk about "post-quantum" financial security.
The Full Historical List (Key Names)
Looking at the list of US secretary of treasury as a whole, you see the evolution of America.
- Alexander Hamilton (1789-1795): The Architect.
- Albert Gallatin (1801-1814): The Long-Hauler.
- Salmon P. Chase (1861-1864): The Civil War financier.
- Andrew Mellon (1921-1932): The Tax Cutter.
- Henry Morgenthau Jr. (1934-1945): The New Deal and WWII strategist.
- Douglas Dillon (1961-1965): Served under JFK and LBJ during the Cold War.
- James Baker (1985-1988): Mastermind of the Plaza Accord.
- Timothy Geithner (2009-2013): Navigated the Great Recession recovery.
- Janet Yellen (2021-2025): The first female Secretary.
- Scott Bessent (2025-Present): Current incumbent under President Trump.
What People Get Wrong About the Treasury
A lot of folks think the Treasury Secretary is just the President's accountant. It’s way more than that. They are the primary economic advisor. They control the IRS, the Mint, and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service.
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When the Treasury Secretary speaks, the bond market listens. If they say something "off," interest rates can spike, and your mortgage suddenly gets more expensive. It's a high-wire act.
Actionable Insights: Following the Treasury in 2026
If you want to keep your finances safe, don't just watch the stock market. Watch what the Treasury is doing.
- Monitor Debt Auctions: The Treasury issues bonds to fund the government. If investors stop buying them, interest rates go up.
- Watch Sanctions: The Treasury (specifically the OFAC) is the "weaponized" part of the US economy. When Bessent announces new sanctions, it usually signals a shift in trade policy that could hit your portfolio if you have international exposure.
- Keep an eye on the "Dollar Strength": The Treasury has a huge say in currency policy. A strong dollar makes your vacations cheaper but hurts US exports.
The list of US secretary of treasury is essentially a map of how the United States became an economic superpower. From Hamilton's initial debt plan to Bessent's current focus on securing tech supply chains, the Treasury remains the engine room of the country.
To stay ahead of economic shifts, follow the official Treasury press releases directly at treasury.gov. Pay close attention to the "Remarks and Statements" section, as this is where the Secretary outlines the future of fiscal policy before it hits the mainstream news cycles. Understanding who is in charge of the money is the first step to understanding where the money is going.