Data Sets

Despite economic gloom, a number of industries are poised for success, according to IBISWorld research. Here is a sampling of industries projected to produce solid growth over the next five years.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is something of a rare breed. While GOP lawmakers want to change its structure, the bureau is one of the few regulatory agencies that is statutorily run by a single director, instead of by a board or commission. The norm is for senators to confirm multiple appointees to debate, negotiate and finally vote on regulatory policy. Here are some of the more influential boards and commissions at the helm of their respective agencies.

In the 2008 elections, the largest U.S. banks gave far more money to Barack Obama than John McCain, and more generally, favored Democratic candidates over Republicans.But after passage of the Dodd-Frank Act, the same banks are favoring Mitt Romney over President Obama. And they've tilted their contributions more toward Republican candidates.This slideshow looks at changes in campaign-finance trends at the largest banks over the last four years.

Women are still a minority in banking, but their ranks and clout are growing. Leading lights from banking and finance gathered at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on Thursday to celebrate the shattering of the glass ceiling.

2011 Most Powerful Women in Banking festivities kicked off Wednesday night at the Gansevoort Park Avenue Hotel in New York.

For almost two weeks activists have taken over Zuccotti Park, in the middle of the financial district, in a so-called occupation of Wall Street. Yes, some are angry at bankers. But there is no unifying theme for the protest. Some people are homeless. Some are unemployed. Others are just mad at the general malaise in the economy. There is a message, though, for those in the industry: Many are sensitive to what they perceive as corporate greed.

The California AG's decision to withdraw from mortgage settlement talks has effectively killed a multi-state deal with the top five mortgage servicers over claims of robo-signing and other foreclosure issues.

Bank dealmakers in recent days have offered 180-degree different views of the European debt crisis and the economic slowdown in the U.S. Some see buying opportunities, and others find nothing worth the risk. Some are standing pat, while others say it is time to act.

The U.S. has long resisted chip cards, which use the EMV standard to improve security over magnetic stripes. But over the past year, the country's resistance has chipped away.

In 1986, for our 150th anniversary issue, American Banker asked dozens of bank bosses to predict what the banking industry would look like in 2011. Following are some of the responses.

These women — some newcomers, and some familiar faces in new roles — are on the rise and well positioned to shape the industry for years to come.

Whether they work in insurance, on Wall Street, or at credit card companies, these women are all making a mark on the industry.

Industry and government officials gathered Sept. 19-20 for American Banker's first Regulatory Symposium in Washington D.C. The conference featured an all-start line-up of top regulators, lawmakers and bankers. Following are some of the best moments from several participants.

How bad is the Euro-banking crisis? Not nearly as bad as things were in late 2008 and early 2009, according to financial indicators. However, signs of trouble are mounting as the Eurozone crisis drags. U.S. banks have suffered less than Continental counterparts, but signs of stress are mounting at home as well.

New York bankers have indelible memories where they were and what they were doing during the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Whether working in a high rise down the street from the World Trade Center or attending a convention in the Rockies, each remembers how events of that day have shaped his life and world. Following are some of their reflections.