Laura Alix

American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance gathered at the Gitano Jungle Room in New York on Wednesday for an evening of cocktails and conversation.

When Washington Federal last rebranded, it was to signal its shift from a savings and loan association to a commercial bank. This time around, it's to reflect geographic diversity and its desire to be viewed as a bank.

Bank of New York Mellon’s quick decision to elevate the longtime executive to succeed Charles Scharf on an interim basis was well received. Will the board keep him, or search for an outsider for the long term?

The once-acquisitive company is not interested in a "roll-up strategy" in Texas's biggest city, said CEO Phil Green. In a Q&A, he also explained why loan competition is intensifying and what's really keeping business customers up at night.

Zions Bancorp. is taking a different approach to its diversity efforts by moving ownership for initiatives out to its field offices.

Early in her career, Strybel took a leap of faith when she followed her mentor's guidance and took a role outside her wheelhouse. It paid off, and it's a lesson she shares with younger bankers as part of her mission to pay it forward.

Leaders Meet Directors is a new program at BMO Financial that is intended to raise the profiles of managers with executive potential. Two-thirds of the inagural participants were women.

Thurlow recognized that if she wanted to get serious about reaching the unbanked in her community, she needed to meet people where they were. That meant providing financial products they actually need and giving them access in their native language.

Maria Veltre knows what it's like to feel disrespected. Early in her career, she was in mid-sentence when a senior executive turned her back and walked away. Veltre vowed never to make others feel the way she did in that moment, no matter what their situation or station.

A small gesture early in Helga Houston’s banking career has informed her approach to guiding younger bankers on sometimes-delicate matters.