Retail & Commercial

Tepid loan demand, falling interest rates and heightened competition from nonbank lenders are just some of the headwinds facing commercial lenders these days, but Ardalan believes MUFG can expand its credit appetite without compromising safety and soundness.

The Pennsylvania community bank has seen rapid growth in recent years, thanks in large part to its success in attracting women clients.

Paulette Mullings Bradnock is on a mission to bring more diversity to BNY Mellon's workforce, and she is leading by example.

As head of commercial banking at PNC Financial Services Group, Stephanie Novosel knows full well that competition for loans is intense and that to win business banks need to add value that goes beyond offering competitive loan terms.

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.

Laura Lee Stewart, president and CEO of Sound Community Bank in Washington, is set to be the third woman to serve as chairman of the American Bankers Association. She's already aiming how to make use of her tenure.

Thasunda Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, has been a key architect of JPMorgan Chase's massive planned branch expansion.

Di Gangi has already seen tremendous success in running small and medium business lending, but this year she stretched even further. Among other things, she spearheaded the launch of WE Source, an online tool that helps women entrepreneurs with insights into funding, networking, strategy and other business essentials.

A classically trained pianist who co-heads investment banking for consumer products at Citigroup, Hoover sees a parallel between the focus she and her team bring to their business and achievement at the highest levels of classical music.

Innovation in banking typically means developing or investing in some cutting-edge technology that will appeal to younger, tech-savvy customers. But to Luanne Cundiff, it can also mean finding new ways to meet the needs of senior citizens who aren't all that interested in digital banking.