Breaking Barriers: Gender Equality in Finance

The finance industry has long been seen as a male-dominated field, but things are changing. More banks are prioritizing gender equality in finance, setting ambitious diversity targets, and actively supporting female talent.

If you’re a female student looking to break into banking, these five banks are leading the way with real commitments, structured programs, and strong female representation at the top.

🏦 Société Générale: Empowering Women in Tech & Finance

📈 Target: 30% women in senior IT roles by 2025.
🎯 Achievement: 31.4% of the Top 250 positions are held by women (2023).
🤝 Commitment: A proud signatory of the Women in Finance Charter.

💡 Why It Stands Out? If you’re interested in finance and technology, Societe Generale is focused on boosting female representation in IT and senior leadership—a rare focus in the sector.

💜 NatWest: Leading the 50/50 Gender Balance Movement

📈 Target: 50/50 gender balance in global leadership roles by 2030.
🎯 Achievement: 48% of senior external hires in 2023 were female.
🏆 Recognition: Listed in Time’s Top 50 Employers for Women.
📅 Opportunities for Female Students:
✔ Insight days in London & Edinburgh for first-year female students.

💡 Why It Stands Out? NatWest is actively working towards a perfect gender balance, not just in lower levels but all the way to the top.

🌍 BNP Paribas: A European Leader in Gender Equality

📈 Target: 40% women in senior management by 2025.
🎯 Achievement: 37% of senior roles held by women in 2024.
🏆 Recognition: Featured in Equileap’s Top 100 Companies for Gender Equality.

💡 Why It Stands Out? BNP Paribas is committed to long-term gender equality, consistently increasing female leadership in Europe’s finance sector.

📊 Citi: Smashing the Glass Ceiling on Wall Street

🎯 Achievement: First major Wall Street bank to appoint a female CEO (Jane Fraser, 2021).
💰 UK Gender Pay Gap: 16.7%—the lowest among major banks like JPMorgan, UBS & Bank of America.
🏆 Recognition: Named in Forbes’ Top Companies for Women.

💡 Why It Stands Out? Citi isn’t just making promises—it’s taking real action, with a female CEO and gender-equal board leadership.

🌱 HSBC: Driving Change Through Leadership & Mentorship

📈 Target: 35% of senior leadership roles held by women by 2025.
🎯 Achievement: 34.1% as of 2023 (+5,200 women coached by senior leaders!).
🤝 Commitment: Signed the Women in Finance Charter, 30% Club, and UN Women Empowerment Principles.
📅 Opportunities for Female Students:
✔ Insight days for female students in London, Birmingham & Sheffield.

💡 Why It Stands Out? HSBC is investing heavily in mentorship and career growth for female employees, from entry-level to leadership roles.

Looking Ahead: The insurance industry is evolving, and companies like Aviva and Admiral are proving that gender equality isn’t just a goal—it’s the new standard. The real question is, are you ready to be part of the change?