The Most Powerful Women in Banking

In 2012, BNP Paribas was the largest global custodian without a presence in North America and it wanted to change that. It found its leader in Claudine Gallagher, then the global head of depositary receipts at J.P. Morgan. Four years later, le succés.

Karen Peetz has myriad responsibilities as president of the world's largest custody bank, not the least of which is managing relationships with Bank of New York Mellon's 500 largest clients.

During American Banker's Most Powerful Women in Banking gala last year, Marianne Lake laid out the "30-5-1" challenge: each week, spend 30 minutes having coffee with a talented junior woman, five minutes congratulating a woman on a recent success and one minute talking up that woman to another senior peer.

"To help teach, mentor and sponsor women to realize their full potential and contribute to our business and society inspires me, and keeps me motivated for both my colleagues and for my two daughters," said HSBC's Katia Bouazza.

"One of the most important responsibilities of a leader [is] motivating people and developing the future leaders of the organization," Citi's Julie Monaco said. "When you take the time to communicate these messages to your team you are creating a culture that is distinguished by a commitment to excellence."