Some are in new jobs, some have new responsibilities, but all of these 25 women are tackling the industry's challenges head on-and in the process reshaping its future.

Whatever the next turn in the market cycle brings, the executives on this list will be prepared. They have not only endured some of the toughest times finance has seen, they have led by example through the worst of it.

Now leaders themselves, protégés of Harris CEO Ellen Costello hand down her mentoring lessons.

Yasmin Bates-Brown planted the seeds for Harris Bank's thriving community-development lending program.

She built a wealth-management powerhouse, but within U.S. Bancorp Diane Thormodsgard will best be remembered as a role model.

Let's raise the bar and start judging companies by how many women they have in the P&L pipeline. It would ensure that more women are ready and able to take on senior roles.

The trade group now known as BAFT-IFSA has been reinvented under Donna Alexander, shedding its 'U.S.-centric' image and emerging as a leading voice for banks worldwide.

Citigroups's Women & Co. is selling a better future for women through a blend of financial literacy and social outreach.

Doing more with less, networking and leadership programs find creative ways to thrive.

There are more women than ever on boards of directors, but there's still a long way to go.

Women favor as a goal diversity at regulatory agencies and the financial institutions they oversee, but some question whether the government should be involved.

Workplace policies fail to acknowledge that men share the responsibility of raising children and caring for elderly parents. Companies that address this new reality will attract the best talent.

We call on all leaders within the banking community to energize the relationships your organizations have with women business owners. Help us to elevate our business opportunities.

Select quotes from the world of financial services.

Former U.S. Banker executive editor Karen Krebsbach, who helped develop the magazine's annual issue featuring The 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking, died at Calvary Hospital in New York in July. She was 52.