The American Bankers Association today saluted the women named to American Banker Magazine’s “25 Most Powerful Women in Banking” and “25 Women to Watch in Banking” lists for 2018. Many of them are current and former members of ABA’s board, councils and committees.
Bank of America COO Cathy Bessant, ranked first on the “most powerful” list, will speak at ABA’s Annual Convention in October. ABA board member Andrea Smith, chief administrative officer at Bank of America, ranked 13 on the “most powerful” list. Former ABA Chairman Dorothy Savarese — chairman, president and CEO of Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, Orleans, Mass. — was 15th on the list, while ABA board member Patti Husic, who is president and CEO of Centric Financial, Harrisburg, Pa., was ranked at 24.
Spotlighted on the “women to watch” list were ABA Vice Chairman Laurie Stewart, president and CEO of Sound Community Bank in Seattle; ABA board member Jill Castilla, president and CEO at Citizens Bank of Edmond, Edmond, Okla; and incoming ABA Community Bankers Council Vice Chairman Luanne Cundiff, who is president and CEO of First State Bank of St. Charles, Mo. The rankings, selected by the publication’s editors, highlight the professional achievements and business acumen of the industry’s leading women. They also spotlight institutions that successfully promote gender diversity in their leadership ranks.