ENTREPRENEUR ISSUE

Financial Support
Two Valley groups are working to advance and
retain women’s role in the financial field

I
By Kasia Marciszewska
t wasn’t so long ago that a typical
business meeting at a banking or
financial institution was domi-
nated by the good ol’ boys net-
work. Well, not anymore. Today,
you are likely to see more women among
the dark suits at the table.
“I have watched women evolve,” says Debo-
rah Bateman, executive vice president of specialty
banking and marketing at National Bank of Arizo-
na, and a founder of the Women’s Financial Group.
Bateman boasts a professional background span-
ning more than 40 years in the banking industry.
“Early in my career, I think we tried to mirror
men,” she says. “Over time, women have recog-
nized the skill sets they can bring to business, such
as collaboration, connecting, coaching (and) creat-
ing value inside Corporate America.”
Women’s roles in the banking and finance sec-
tors are widening, and the proof is in the num-
bers. In 2009, according to the U.S. Department
of Labor, 54 percent of American women were
employed in fields related to financial activities.
This includes finance and insurance, banking and
related activities, securities, commodities, funds,
trusts and other financial investments. In Arizona,
the percentage of women working in the finance

20 AB | November-December 2010
(Clockwise from top
left) Emily amparan,
factors southwest;
Deborah Bateman,
National Bank of
Arizona; national bank
of arizona
headquarters; a women
in banking event;
members of the women’s
financial group.

and insurance industry also is signifi-
cant. U.S. Census data shows there are
actually more women than men work-
ing in these industries.
Although women have come a long
way from their beginnings in these for-
merly male-dominated sectors, it is an
ongoing struggle. According to the U.S.
Census Bureau, the disparity in salaries
for men and women is significant.
In the Phoenix Metro area, during the
third quarter of 2009, women made up
14.4 percent of the 35-44 age work force
in finance and insurance (private sec-
tor) versus 10.4 percent for men. How-
ever, women in these fields average a
monthly salary of $4,350, compared to
men’s $6,643. For women aged 45 to 54,
the salary gap grows even wider. In this
age group, men on average earn 64 per-
cent more.
“Women need to be more assertive
about asking for money and tooting
their own horn,” says Donna Davis,
CEO of the Arizona Small Business As-
sociation (ASBA) and a member of the
Women’s Financial Group. “It’s OK to
promote your organization, it’s OK to
ask for money and to ask for more.”
However, Emily Amparan, vice presi-
dent of development at Factors South-
west, says she thinks the numbers don’t
reflect the real gains women are making.
“I always hold those figures suspect,
as I rarely encounter hindrances to
“Women need to be more assertive
about asking for money and tooting
their own horn.”
— Donna Davis, Arizona Small Business Association
make money and achieve success in the
financial field,” she says. “I think if you
believe it to be so, it probably is ... how-
ever, the most successful women in the
finance industry don’t pay any mind to
talk of obstacles, as they forge ahead to
make their own path.”
Helping women make their own paths
in the financial sector is the mission of a
number of organizations emerging

AB | November-December 2010 21

“Women in business are
tremendous
bridge builders and
relationship makers.”
— Emily Amparan, Factors Southwest
all over the Valley. For example, Bateman
founded an internal mentorship pro-
gram at National Bank of Arizona in 2009,
that quickly expanded to outside indus-
tries and individuals. Later renamed the
Women’s Financial Group, the organiza-
tion’s focus is to bring together women of
all professional backgrounds to promote
financial planning, mentoring, business
services and networking.
Bateman says she hopes the Women’s
Financial Group can serve as a catalyst
for women to succeed and attain higher
positions in banking and finance with-
out compromising their identities.
“For years and years, we would dress
in tailored blue suits and wear ties,”
Bateman recalls. “Women can be wom-
en in the business world. It brings enor-
mous value to business, to their organi-
zations and to the community.”
In addition, Davis says the group can
help “women become more savvy fi-
nancial business people.”
At a recent Women’s Financial Group
event, women of diverse backgrounds,
both personal and professional, filled
the room. Some women were just be-
ginning their careers and some were
veterans with decades of experience.
But all were there with a mission: to
pave the way for future success in their
22 AB | November-December 2010
respective financial careers.
Another group aimed at women in
the financial sector is Women in Bank-
ing, the local chapter of the national
Risk Management Association. Found-
ed in 2006, its first meeting took place
at a Chevy’s restaurant with 14 business
women in attendance. Today, the group
includes 50 to 80 bankers, consultants,
marketers and business owners from
around the Valley. And despite its name,
the committee encourages men to join
and attend its events.
“There is definitely a need for a pro-
fessional organization that brings busi-
ness and banking together for positive
networking,” says Amparan, who is a
member of the organization’s leader-
ship team.
Along with helping women plot their
careers in financing, Women in Banking
is a strong supporter of Fresh Start Wom-
en’s Foundation, a nonprofit organiza-
tion dedicated to helping women in areas
such as career change, personal growth,
family relationships and more. The group
collects clothes for donation and works to
raise money to sponsor Fresh Start’s an-
nual golf tournament and fashion show.
That type of commitment to all wom-
en in the community is just one exam-
ple of the impact women professionals
in finance are making.
“Women in business are tremendous
bridge builders and relationship mak-
ers,” Amparan says. “Banking and fi-
nance has become more of a warm, open
environment to the credit of profession-
al women across the state and country.
People are starting to take notice of the
successful way women are starting to do
business and build relationships.”