Celebrating the Top Women in Banking, but Noting a Lack

American Banker Magazine released on Wednesday its annual ranking of the most powerful women in banking. But the list, even as it celebrated the accomplishments of the honorees, revealed a lack of women in top jobs.

Only three of the 25 honorees are at the very top of their companies. Two more have the chief executive title, though they run large subsidiaries. On another list released by the magazine, the most powerful women in finance, the number of top C.E.O.’s is zero.

“I’m always surprised that there aren’t more women in the actual C.E.O. slot,” Heather Landy, the editor in chief of the magazine, said in an interview. “There are many women on our rankings who are very close to that role and work closely with the C.E.O.’s of their institutions, but I would have thought by now that there would be more women in actual C.E.O. roles to put on this list.”

The magazine doesn’t shy away from this uncomfortable observation. The issue’s cover article, titled “Pathways to Power,” includes an image of an empty tufted black leather chair with text that reads: “The pipeline of women in banking is strong. Until you get here.”

The rankings, now in their 11th year, include a list of powerful women in finance â€" as distinguished from banking â€" and a list of women to watch. The top spot on the banking list went to Beth Mooney, the chairwoman and chief executive of KeyCorp. Mary Callahan Erdoes, the chief executive of JPMorgan Asset Management, was named the most powerful woman in finance.

In addition to Ms. Mooney, two women on the banking list â€" Dorothy Savarese, the president and chief executive of the Cape Cod Five Cents Savings Bank, and Melanie Dressel, the president and chief executive of the Columbia Banking System â€" are in the top jobs at their companies. Two others are chief executives of significant divisions: Irene Dorner, the head of HSBC USA, who was in the No. 1 slot on last year’s list, and Barbara Yastine, the chairman, president and chief executive of Ally Bank.

In its coverage of the powerful women, the magazine examines how others can rise to senior roles. Many of this year’s honorees are making efforts to help other women advance, and many are frustrated by the lack of progress, Ms. Landy said.

“For many years, the focus seemed to be on filling the pipeline with women â€" making sure that women were being recruited,” Ms. Landy said. “Well, the pipeline is really full now. At the entry level at most of the big banks, it’s at least half women. The problem and the frustration is that women in the pipeline are either exiting early or just getting stuck in it.”

The honorees will be celebrated at an awards dinner on Oct. 10 in New York.