NEW YORK, NY — September 29, 2006 — U.S. Banker, the leading magazine for senior bank executives published by SourceMedia, today released the results of its fourth annual ranking of “The 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking.” Topping this exclusive “Who’s Who of Influence” list, published in the October issue, are Marion Sandler, co-CEO of Golden West Financial Corp.; Amy Brinkley, global risk executive of Bank of America; and Heidi Miller, CEO of Treasury and Securities Services, JPMorgan Chase.

Among the 25 honorees recognized for their progressive leadership and outstanding achievements are Citigroup’s Ellen Alemany, CEO of Global Transaction Services, Corporate and Investment Banking; East West Bank’s Julia Gouw, CFO; Wells Fargo & Co.’s Doreen Woo Ho, President of the Consumer Credit Group and Corporate Trust Services; Citigroup’s Sallie Krawcheck, CFO; TD Banknorth’s Wendy Suehrstedt, senior EVP; US Bancorp’s Pamela Joseph, Vice Chairman; and Bank of America’s Barbara Desoer, Chief Technology, Service and Fulfillment Executive.

The methodology used to determine “The 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking” includes weighted quantitative and qualitative factors, such as individual three-year financial performance, position and responsibility, job complexity, length of tenure, management style, charitable and philanthropic work, and overall influence within the institution and the industry. This year, 5,100 women were reviewed by the magazine’s staff to determine the 50 most influential honorees of 2006, including the “25 Women to Watch.”

This year’s “25 Women to Watch” — banking executives recognized for stellar performance and a commitment to excellence — include Barclays Bank’s Deanna Oppenheimer, CEO of UK Retail Banking; BMO Financial Group’s Karen Maidment, CFO and CAO; Washington Mutual’s Debora Horvath, EVP and CIO; The Bank of New York’s Karen Peetz, senior EVP; and Synovus’s Leila Carr, EVP of retail banking.

As part of this year’s ranking, U.S. Banker also named the Top Three Banking Teams, recognizing U.S. Bancorp, Wells Fargo and Citigroup, respectively, for superior diversity within their organizations and overall performance of growth-oriented, women-led business units and functional areas. Teams were selected based on a number of factors, including number of female corporate officers; number of women on management and operating committees; number of senior women leading business units and functional areas across the bank; overall percentage growth of women-led business units; overall ROE and profit margin of institution; and the impact of growth areas led by women.

“Influence in corporate America is about more than financial performance; it’s about changing the world — one transaction, one deal, one community project at a time. U.S. Banker’s ranking focuses not only on the banking industry’s top financial performers, but also on how they use their influence beyond the walls of their institutions,” said Holly Sraeel, U.S. Banker’s editor-in-chief. “More than ever, we see that women executives at this level are interested in using their influence as social, economic, political and environmental capital. The benefits to their organizations and their communities are quite profound.”

Of the 50 women executives recognized in the ranking, six honorees are from Citigroup, four from Wells Fargo, three from Wachovia Corp., and three from BMO Financial Group. For the full rankings of “The 25 Most Powerful Women in Banking” and “25 Women to Watch,” visit www.us-banker.com.

In conjunction with its published ranking, U.S. Banker and SourceMedia will host a Black Tie gala celebrating all 50 honorees on October 23, 2006, at The Pierre Hotel, 2 East 61st Street, New York, NY 10022.