The Most Powerful Women in Banking

With a prime role in two global exchange mergers last year, Caroline Silver has no problem with name recognition in the sector. As Michael Overlander, the CEO of derivatives broker Sucden Financial told Bloomberg last year, "Her name should be changed to Caroline Gold."

In addition to being an industry giant with many opportunities to run large business lines, Wells Fargo takes a studied approach to leadership development, with special emphasis on women and other diversity candidates who have been traditionally underrepresented in the financial services sector.

After buying Marshall & Ilsley in 2011, BMO Financial Group's U.S. arm faced a full plate of challenges. But with the guidance of Justine Fedak, head of brand, advertising and sponsorships in North America, BMO Financial and its BMO Harris Bank subsidiary took their message straight to Milwaukee.

Two years ago, Huntington Bank laid out an inclusion strategy that would make senior leaders more accountable and leave other employees feeling better trained, better utilized and more engaged. The results so far have been as impressive as the Midwestern regional's recent financial performance.

Revenue up, expenses down. That's the formula Julie Castle helped perfect as chief operating officer of Zions First National Bank's wealth management affiliate, Contango Capital Advisors. In June she was rewarded with a promotion to CEO of the unit.