Honoring Women in Financial Services: Resources, History, & More

Not by a long shot! Since the beginning of the 20th century, women have been at the forefront of savings and loans. In fact, Maggie Lena Walker became the first woman (and woman of color) to become bank president when she opened the St. Luke Penny Savings Bank in 1903.

With an achievement like Maggie’s, you could be forgiven for thinking that women have enjoyed a consistent presence at banks and credit unions. But her rise to prominence came over a hundred years after the founding of Alexander Hamilton’s First Bank in 1791. In other words, a full century passed between the first bank and the first female bank president.

The industry has taken great strides toward gender parity, but leadership opportunities and positions of influence still trend toward men. In honor of International Women’s Day, Main Street offers these excellent resources to support women as they rise through the ranks.

If you’ve visited a bank or credit union lately, odds are you’ve seen plenty of female employees. Roughly 50% of bank employees are women. That number jumps to 70% for credit unions. So, what’s the problem? With representation like this, who could complain?

Naturally, there’s a tremendous difference between working for an institution and running that institution or sitting on its board. Here, a starker contrast takes shape.

At the institutional level, community banks and credit unions can foster advancement through strategic partnerships, education, and philanthropy. The American College of Financial Services counts State Farm, Penn Mutual, and Nationwide among their industry partners.

As both a center of learning and an advocacy group, the Center for Women in Financial Services offers workbooks, research, and networking opportunities. Download helpful resources and shape your institution’s game plan for promoting gender parity.

The American Bankers Association has led the way for 150 years. This year, they’re hosting their Women Lead Symposium – a half-day, virtual conference covering vital topics such as strategic outlooks, networking skills, and pathways to success for women in banking.

This year, the conference is on July 17, starting at 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT. Learn more and register yourself or your team to gain important insights on the industry at large and the role of women within it.

The American Bankers Association has led the way for 150 years. This year, they’re hosting their Women Lead Symposium – a half-day, virtual conference covering vital topics such as strategic outlooks, networking skills, and pathways to success for women in banking.

This year, the conference is on July 17, starting at 1:00 PM ET/12:00 PM CT. Learn more and register yourself or your team to gain important insights on the industry at large and the role of women within it.

Since 2017, Natalie Bartholomew has been The Girl Banker – a podcaster, guest speaker, and blogger. Beyond her platform, Natalie serves as the Community president of First Community Bank in Northwest Arkansas, a position that grants her amazing insight into the industry.

Across hundreds of hours of podcasts, Natalie speaks to social media influencers, authors, and other industry professionals about the skills they’ve honed to succeed and the issues that need addressing. Check out The Girl Banker podcast for your daily dose of motivation and education.

Research and partnerships are important, but sometimes, it’s enough to congratulate others while meeting more professionals just like you. The Illinois Bankers Association offers the perfect opportunity to celebrate women and make connections at this year’s Women in Banking Conference.

Taking place in Springfield, IL, the Women in Banking Conference will award working professionals in three categories: Woman of the Year, Woman on the Rise, and Women of Impact. The itinerary is packed with networking and educational opportunities, too, ensuring that your trip to Springfield is an inspirational one.

Sometimes, all we need is a model of excellence – a target to hit or a trail to follow. When it comes to inspiration, learning from and about modern trailblazers can provide actionable insights and tangible goals.

American Banker published an article profiling the most successful women in banking. Each honoree discusses the skills they value most, from curiosity to emotional intelligence and beyond. Learn more about the 2024 honorees and start honing skills that can take you to the top.