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Godin decided that, from here on out, Regions' collections associates would be called "customer advocates" and would be trained in teaching cash-strapped borrowers how to improve their credit scores.

Deutsche Bank hired Susan Skerritt just last year to run global transaction banking for the Americas, but her influence at the company is already being felt globally.

Diane D'Erasmo has made her bosses look good for choosing her to manage the U.S. investments of overseas clients.

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group is one of the world's 10 largest banking companies, and Wendy Breuder is one of the highest-ranking women in its U.S. operation, which was recently renamed MUFG Union Bank.

TD Bank prides itself on its award-winning customer service, and it's up to Linda Verba to ensure that its standards don't slip.

Lisa Carnoy made an abrupt career change in April when she moved into private banking and wealth management.

One thing that really gets Julieann Thurlow riled up is mutual thrifts converting to stock companies.

Christine Pierson is new to the banking business, but already she is showing a "genius" for it.

For Grace Huebscher, starting a new company from scratch meant the chance to build the work environment she always wanted.

Associated Bank in Green Bay, Wis., has been fattening its commercial loan portfolio in recent years, thanks in large part to Donna Smith.

Some might see it as a weakness, but vulnerability is more of a strength, from Jill Castilla's perspective.

Jane Fraser is getting more fearless as times goes on. This realization – inspired by her (almost) golf date with Tiger Woods – is serving her well as she takes on a slew of new responsibilities at Citigroup.

• The 25 Women to Watch

KeyCorp's Beth Mooney tops the 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking list; the 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance list is led by Mary Callahan Erdoes at JPMorgan Chase; and Jane Fraser at Citigroup heads the 25 Women to Watch list.

We all say things can be better. These women act.

• FirstMerit's Sandy Pierce: Standing up for Detroit
• Bank of America's Cathy Bessant: Paying It Forward
• M&T's Michele Trolli: Leading a Bear of a Digital Transformation
• Zions' LeeAnne Linderman: Starting a Charity from Scratch
• RBC's Lisa Pollina: Creating Jobs for Military Veterans
• NorthStar's Julie Goodridge: Fighting for Investors and Gay Marriage

Debby Hopkins' team brings fresh ideas to Citigroup by thinking and acting like tech entrepreneurs. Her Citi Ventures unit is an outlier in that its top four executives are women.

We recognize five banks where women are playing outsized roles in setting strategy and driving results, and each one has an interesting story to tell. Check out how the female executives at Bank of America, Bank of the West, BMO Harris, Citizens Bank of Edmond (Okla.) and Zions are making a difference.

• Bank of America
• BMO Harris Bank
• Bank of the West
• Zions First National Bank
• Citizens Bank of Edmond

Lisa Carnoy's career path at Bank of America is a perfect example of how the company is actively encouraging its female executives to take on new challenges.

BMO Harris Bank is on a mission to place more women in executive posts.

The quest for diversity in the senior ranks sometimes means competing for talent. Bank of the West has been winning its share of those competitions.

A sense of common purpose is evident in Zions' approach to employee relations, and it's drawing kudos from constituencies not typically known for a love of the industry.