The Most Powerful Women in Banking

Banks need to understand that examiners' job is to call it like they see it.

Linderman helped build Zions Bank into a retail force and shaped the multistate retail strategy of its parent company, but she will best be remembered for opening countless doors for women and minorities.

In a long and storied career, Barbara Desoer has helped shape two of the largest banks in the country, Bank of America and Citibank. The most striking detail? Her biggest role came after she "retired."

Nearly a third of the women in the annual ranking are new additions, the largest amount in years. Here's an overview of the changes. Plus, Citi's Corbat on its bold gender equity move, and Wells Fargo's less bold CEO decision.

Citigroup has set measurable goals for increasing representation of women and U.S. minorities in senior, higher-paying roles and CEO Michael Corbat is urging other financial firms to follow suit.