Recognition highlights Piermont’s culture of innovation, diversity, and next-generation leadership in banking
American Banker has announced its Most Powerful Women to Watch in Banking 2025, honoring executives who are reshaping the financial services industry. These honorees are recognized for steering their institutions through regulatory complexity, rising credit risk, competition from neobanks and fintechs, and the transformative wave of digital assets and tokenized markets—all while advancing innovation, enhancing customer experience, and expanding opportunities for businesses.
The list includes leaders from some of the nation’s largest banks, such as Bank of America and Goldman Sachs, as well as leaders of emerging institutions that are defining the future of banking. Among them is Piermont Bank’s founder and CEO, Wendy Cai-Lee, who earned a spot in the top 10 of this prestigious ranking. Her recognition underscores not only her individual achievements but also the outsized impact Piermont has made in just a few years since its founding.
Wendy’s leadership has been central to establishing Piermont as one of the Best Digital Banks of 2025. Since its launch in 2019, Piermont has grown into the first fully digital-enabled, cloud-native commercial bank in the United States. By design, it serves fast-growing SMBs, fintechs, and emerging PE, VC, and CRE funds with leading-edge banking products including embedded banking solutions that provide the same level of sophistication and speed these clients expect from their broader digital experiences.
Financial Strength with innovation at the core
What sets Piermont apart is its combination of innovation and financial strength. While some banks have struggled with volatility and liquidity pressures in recent years, Piermont has consistently maintained one of the strongest balance sheets in the industry. The bank’s Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio has held at 20% for seven consecutive quarters, alongside a 22% total RBC and a 14% leverage ratio—well above regulatory requirements. As Wendy notes, these numbers are the result of operational efficiency and a disciplined approach to investment: “We put the money where it needs to go.” For Piermont, that has meant channeling resources into technology that closes the gap between what entrepreneurs need and what traditional banks have historically offered.
This forward-thinking strategy has created client experience that is faster, more personalized, and more aligned with today’s digital-first world. From seamless account opening to embedded financial tools, Piermont continues to fulfill its promise of being “a bank that moves at your speed.”
Cultivating leadership for the future
Beyond financial results, Wendy’s lasting impact lies in how she cultivates talent. For over two decades, she has championed distributed leadership and mentored the next generation of bankers, fostering an diverse environment where innovative professionals can thrive.
This culture is reflected in Piermont’s leadership team:
- Wenni Wu, Chief Growth Officer, was recently named to American Banker’s Most Powerful Women in Banking: Next 2025, ranking #8 among the top 25 emerging leaders under 40.
- Rodrigo Suarez, Chief Banking Officer, advanced from leading Piermont’s innovation banking program to overseeing client-focused solutions and partnerships at scale.
- Felicia Meaney, Head of HR, was recognized by Crain’s New York Business as one of the Notable Diverse Leaders in Banking and Finance 2022.
These examples underscore Piermont’s commitment to building a strong leadership pipeline and creating opportunities for young talent in banking.
Investing in talent and innovation pays back
Under Wendy’s leadership, Piermont has built more than a bank—it has built a team of leaders who believe in reimagining how banks serve the SMBs. The bank’s tech-enabled platform not only delivers customized banking products but also acts as an operational partner, helping clients simplify their financial operations so they can focus on what they do best: growing their businesses.
Her recognition as one of the Top 10 Most Powerful Women to Watch in Banking 2025 is a testament to her personal leadership and her commitment in driving innovation in banking while inspiring the next generation of leaders to transform the industry from within. At Piermont, we are proud to celebrate Wendy’s vision and the culture she has built – one that continues to set new standards in digital banking and leadership excellence.