Alan Kline

The highest-ranking woman in Bank of New York Mellon's storied history is retiring at the end of this year.

The highest-ranking female at Fifth Third Bancorp is actually a relative newcomer to banking.

Some bankers are proud of making it through the financial crisis. Imagine doing that while also contending with a huge personal crisis. Karen Glenn, the chief executive of a Kentucky community bank, is a single mom of twin boys. She had just made it through a major health issue with one of her sons, when the other was diagnosed with cancer.

Rosilyn Houston couldn't have known it at the time, but the year she spent caring for her toddler son while he underwent treatment for leukemia would have a profound impact on the trajectory of her career.

Elmer Laslo, the chief executive of 1st Summit Bank in Johnstown, Pa., for 39 years, likes to say he manages "by walking around." Not only does his approach resonate with employees in a big way, it has helped keep 1st Summit among the most profitable publicly traded small banks in the country.

An initiative to create a more nurturing workplace helped First Busey improve its employee engagement, its standing with customers, and its performance.

Some midsize banks found ways to widen margins, and Texas lenders said weakness in the energy sector has had little effect on the broader Texas economy. But can those trends hold up?

Cullen/Frost Bankers' second-quarter profit declined slightly compared with a year earlier as gains in net interest income were largely offset by increased chargeoffs and a higher provision for loan losses.

Panic around energy lending has subsided somewhat as oil prices have climbed and banks have reduced their overall exposure. But expect more trouble ahead if prices level off.

Comerica reported improvement in its energy-loan portfolio in the second quarter but charges related to a broad corporate restructuring took a bite out of overall profits.