American Banker Magazine October 2016

The celebration dinner honoring the Most Powerful Women in Banking and Finance this year was the largest ever, with nearly 600 people attending.

From newcomers to those taking on new assignments, these women's star quality has them front and center. A look at whose influence is gaining ground and growing fastest. This is the 25 Women to Watch for 2007.

Across asset management, investment banking, capital markets and cards, these executives are helping to create a path to parity for women in a traditionally male-dominated field.

This year, KeyCorp executed the second-largest bank acquisition by deal value since the financial crisis and announced a groundbreaking commitment to do $16.5 billion of lending to low- and moderate-income communities across several states. Chairman and CEO Beth Mooney also purposely raised the visibility of other executives at her company, to bring more diversity of thought into the company’s decision-making process. But Mooney doesn't see an end to her days of trailblazing yet.

How an uncommon knack for bridging different cultures helped Nandita Bakhshi rise to the top job at Bank of the West.