American Banker's
Applications for Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance NEXT are now being accepted.
This award is meant to recognize high-achieving women in the talent pipeline, bringing more visibility to those on a path to become the C-suite leaders of tomorrow. A group of 25 women, 40 years of age and younger, will be selected and ranked based on accomplishments and influence that set them apart from their peers.
Eligibility
Please read carefully as some eligibility criteria have changed this year.
We no longer require a woman to be nominated by an executive at the institution. Women who are director level or higher are encouraged to nominate themselves.
Only employees of private-sector financial services firms whose activities are primarily focused on commercial or retail banking (such as, banks, thrifts and bank-owned subsidiaries, divisions, or groups) or private-sector financial institutions (such as wealth management, investment banking, or investment management firms) can participate. In addition, their job must be based in the U.S. or Canada, or their firms must be based in the U.S. or Canada.
Women whose primary employment is at any type of nonbank — including fintech companies that do not have a banking charter, funds, trade associations, regulatory agencies, or professional services firms — are not eligible for this program.
Application instructions and links
Only applications submitted through our secure online system will be considered. Please note that the deadline to apply for the 2026 NEXT ranking is Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m. ET.
We recommend previewing the application, gathering all material offline first, and then cutting and pasting answers directly into the online form. Partially completed submissions may be saved in the system until ready to submit. More detailed instructions are provided once you begin.
Begin an individual application
Deadline
Individual applications must be submitted by the deadline of Wednesday, April 15, 5 p.m. ET, to be considered.
NEXT Awards Dinner
We will be celebrating this elite group of rising leaders at a dinner in New York City during the week of The Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance conference and awards gala, now in its 24th year, to be held October 2026.
We look forward to you joining NEXT and MPWIB honorees for a full week of insightful programs, professional networking and evening celebrations that recognize the extraordinary leadership of women in the banking and financial services industry.
Editorial and sponsorship information
Please direct any questions about NEXT or The Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance to Mary Ellen Egan, Senior Director, Content and Strategy, Live Media - Banking at maryellen.egan@arizent.com.
For information about sponsoring the NEXT rankings, the awards celebration for the honorees, or the Most Powerful Women in Banking conference, please contact Hilary Whidden at hilary.whidden@arizent.com
