The Most Powerful Women in Banking

The company founded by her grandfather remains committed to actively managing money for longtime clients, but under Johnson, Fidelity Investments is also aggressively going after younger investors who favor simple and affordable options.

The retirement and investment group Grace runs for Aon is the global firm's second-largest business unit, wit more than $150 billion of assets under management.

Laura Lee Stewart, president and CEO of Sound Community Bank in Washington, is set to be the third woman to serve as chairman of the American Bankers Association. She's already aiming how to make use of her tenure.

Thasunda Duckett, CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, has been a key architect of JPMorgan Chase's massive planned branch expansion.

At a time when technology and regulations have led many banks to centralize their operations, Bank of America has expanded its emphasis on localized strategies under the leadership of Chief Administrative Officer Andrea Smith.