The Most Powerful Women in Banking

Karen Parkhill is creating a culture of continuous improvement at Comerica.

When Sandy Pierce broke into banking in the early 1980s, her street smarts gave her a decided advantage over other young loan officers. She just didn't know it at the time.

Ranjana Clark's aggressive — but safe — pursuit of deposits has allowed MUFG Union Bank to beef up its commercial lending.

Despite years of diversity initiatives, senior management teams remain overwhelmingly male. Now a growing number of women are coming around to the idea that real change starts in the boardroom.

Our top woman in finance for the third straight year, Mary Callahan Erdoes, is overseeing record growth at JPMorgan Chase's asset-management arm.