Women in banking and finance are steering some of the world’s most influential financial institutions. Female-led firms manage over $15 trillion in assets globally, with women taking on visible, high-impact roles across commercial banking, fintech, and investment management.
This list features 10 women in banking whose decisions move markets. They lead global banks, drive innovation, and shape financial strategies at scale.
Meet The Most Powerful Women in Finance
Top 10 Women in Banking and Finance
Jane Fraser
Position: Chief Executive Officer, Citigroup
Influence: Global commercial and investment banking
Jane Fraser became the first woman to lead a major Wall Street bank when she was appointed CEO of Citigroup. In 2024, she was named the most powerful woman in banking by American Banker and ranked among Forbes’ Top 10 Most Powerful Women in Business. As a top female CEO, she has expanded Citigroup’s global footprint, increased profitability through restructuring, and accelerated digital growth. Fraser is also a strong advocate for working mothers, highlighting the challenges women continue to face in corporate leadership.
Ana Botín
Position: Executive Chair, Santander Group
Assets Managed: €1+ trillion
Influence: European commercial banking
As the Executive Chair of Banco Santander, she leads one of the world’s largest banks with more than 164 million customers across Europe, North America, and South America. Ana Botín expanded the bank’s digital offerings while deepening its presence in Latin America and Europe. Known for promoting ESG leadership and gender equity, she’s consistently ranked among the most influential women in global finance.
Abigail Johnson
Position: Chairman and CEO, Fidelity Investments
Assets Managed: ~$5.9 trillion† discretionary assets
Influence: Global wealth management and investment innovation
Abigail Johnson has led Fidelity since 2014, growing it into one of the world’s largest investment firms. She’s overseen major expansions into cryptocurrency services, low-cost index funds, and retirement products—making Fidelity a leader in both retail and institutional investing. With an estimated personal net worth of $33–38 billion, she ranks among the wealthiest and most powerful women in finance, earning consistent top 10 placements on Forbes’ World’s Most Powerful Women list.
Jennifer Piepszak
Position: Co-CEO of the Commercial and Investment Bank, JPMorgan Chase
Influence: U.S. corporate and consumer banking
Jennifer Piepszak is Co-CEO of JPMorgan’s Commercial and Investment Bank, one of the largest divisions of the firm. Previously, she oversaw the consumer banking segment and played a key role in JPMorgan’s digital expansion. Considered a likely successor to CEO Jamie Dimon, Piepszak continues to shape the future of the firm through operational scale and strategic leadership.
Mary Callahan Erdoes
Position: CEO, Asset and Wealth Management, JPMorgan Chase
Assets Managed: Over $4 trillion
Influence: Global investment management and private banking
Mary Callahan Erdoes is one of the most influential women in global finance. As CEO of JPMorgan’s Asset and Wealth Management division, she oversees more than $4 trillion in client assets, spanning institutional clients, pension funds, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals. A key member of JPMorgan’s operating committee, Erdoes has been consistently ranked on Forbes’ and Fortune’s most powerful women lists. Known for her sharp investment acumen and advocacy for inclusive leadership, she continues to shape long-term strategy at one of the world’s largest and most profitable financial institutions.
Thasunda Brown Duckett
Position: President and CEO, TIAA
Assets Managed: $1.3 trillion
Influence: Retirement services, wealth equity, financial education
Thasunda Brown Duckett is one of only two Black women currently leading a Fortune 500 company. As CEO of TIAA, she oversees more than $1.3 trillion in assets and champions financial security for educators, healthcare workers, and nonprofit professionals. Formerly CEO of Chase Consumer Banking, Duckett is also a national voice on closing the racial wealth gap and building generational financial literacy. Her leadership combines operational scale with a deeply human mission to make financial services more inclusive.
Tan Su Shan
Position: Incoming CEO, DBS Group
Assets Managed: ~$600 billion
Influence: Asian retail and digital banking
Tan Su Shan is set to become the first woman to lead Southeast Asia’s largest bank, DBS. Known for her focus on digital transformation and wealth management, she plans to pursue strategic acquisitions to expand DBS’s tech capabilities and regional dominance.
Katy Knox
Position: President, Bank of America Private Bank
Assets Managed: $578 billion in client balances
Influence: Private banking and ultra-high-net-worth services
Katy Knox oversees one of the largest private banks in the U.S., driving growth in personal trust services, endowments, and family offices. Under her leadership, BofA has expanded the firm into new markets, significantly increased digital engagement, and increased client balances to $578 billion.
Arundhati Bhattacharya
Position: CEO, Salesforce India; Former Chair, State Bank of India
Assets Managed (SBI): ~$600 billion
Influence: Institutional banking and digital innovation
Arundhati Bhattacharya made history as the first woman to lead India’s largest bank, the State Bank of India. During her tenure, she launched key subsidiaries in insurance and pensions before transitioning to tech leadership. Today, as CEO of Salesforce India, she continues to shape how traditional banking intersects with cloud and enterprise software.
Anu Aiyengar
Position: Global Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions, JPMorgan
Influence: Investment banking
Anu Aiyengar leads one of the world’s top M&A advisory teams, managing high-profile transactions across tech, healthcare, and energy. Her leadership in global dealmaking has been pivotal in JPMorgan’s dominance in cross-border acquisitions.
Our Criteria
The top women in banking and finance were chosen on a combination of leadership position, measurable impact, and industry influence. We evaluated candidates using the following criteria:
- Executive Leadership: Holding a senior role such as CEO, CFO, or Managing Director at a major financial institution, fintech company, or investment firm.
- Company Scale and Influence: Leading organizations with significant global reach, high assets under management (AUM), or market capitalization.
- Innovation and Media Presence: Recognized for launching transformative initiatives, driving digital innovation, or shaping the direction of banking and finance.
- Awards and Rankings: Included in prestigious lists such as Forbes’ Most Powerful Women, Fortune’s Most Powerful Women in Business, or Bloomberg’s 50 Women to Watch.
FAQs: Women in Banking and Finance
Who is the most powerful woman in banking today?
Jane Fraser, CEO of Citigroup, is widely recognized as one of the most powerful women in banking today. She leads one of the largest financial institutions in the world and is credited with driving digital transformation and sustainable finance initiatives across the global banking sector.
Who is the most powerful woman in finance today?
Abigail Johnson is widely regarded as one of the most powerful women in finance after becoming president and chief executive officer (CEO) of American investment firm Fidelity Investments (FMR). Under her innovative leadership, Fidelity has embraced technological advancements and expanded its services, solidifying its position as a global financial powerhouse.
Who are the top female entrepreneurs in finance?
Top female entrepreneurs in finance include Kathryn Petralia (Kabbage) and Anne Boden (Starling Bank). They are the most influential women in fintech, transforming the way consumers and businesses manage their finances.
Could a woman open a bank account in 1950?
Women could open bank accounts in 1950 but it was a not an easy process. Married women needed their husband’s signature for accounts and credit cards. The Equal Credits Act in 1974 changed how women banked, making it illegal for banks to discriminate based on gender.
Inspiring a New Financial Future
It wasn’t long ago that women couldn’t open a bank account without a male co-signer. Today, the top women in banking and finance are driving trillion-dollar decisions, leading global institutions, and opening doors for others. Their leadership reshapes the financial landscape and sets the tone for a more inclusive future, whether they’re growing wealth or managing it.
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