Alan Kline

With Beth Mooney in charge, KeyCorp has emerged as one of the industry's top regional banking companies while becoming a model for workplace diversity.

Many of the bank's policies bubbled up through meetings of the Employee Excellence Council, a group of roughly 50 volunteers — from tellers to senior vice presidents — that offers input on benefits, working conditions and anything else that comes to mind.

Most banks encourage employees to be active with local charities, but the parent of First Tennessee Bank takes its support to a higher level by awarding cash grants to nonprofits at which its employees are board members.

The thriving Colorado institution keeps its employees happy — and minimizes turnover — by offering one of the industry's most generous retirement packages.

Rob Brough, the head of marketing at Zions, says the bank's Value Star program — launched more than a decade ago to recognize employees for putting in extra effort — encourages staff to pull for one another.

On top of dealing with cyber threats and other potential dangers to banks, CROs are deeply involved these days in discussions over investing in new products and business lines.

Its credibility damaged by shoddy lending and questionable accounting, the Birmingham, Ala., company rebuilt its reputation by putting customers and communities first.

Proposed new rules from the CFPB could wind up forcing banks out of the small-dollar lending business, leaving cash-strapped consumers with fewer borrowing options.