KATHY KRANINGER

PRESIDENT & CEO, FLORIDA BANKERS ASSOCIATION, TALLAHASSEE

Established in 1888, the Florida Bankers Association represents more than 150 banks of all sizes, and their 134,000-plus employees, operating in the state of Florida. Kraninger has served as CEO of the FBA since late 2023. She worked for decades in Washington, D.C., including stints at the Department of Homeland Security and the Office of Management and Budget. She also served as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She serves on the board of Habitat for Humanity of Florida.

EDUCATION: Marquette University (BA), Georgetown University Law Center (JD)

PASSION PROJECT: I love historic buildings and own a multifamily row house on Capitol Hill in D.C. built in 1878. It took me 10 years, but I renovated every part of the house.

INDUSTRY TRENDS: In the past 20 years, the U.S. has seen an almost 50% drop in the number of banks. New banks used to form just like new businesses do — seeing an underserved market and an opportunity with more than 100 each year on average. In the past 15 years, only 85 new banks have been formed and are still operating. We are working hard to reverse that trend with Florida leading the way!

SOMETHING SURPRISING: At the risk of stepping into the nature vs. nurture debate, I cannot help but think that growing up with three brothers had a profound impact on my ability to navigate as a capable, confident woman undaunted, unaffected and generally encouraged in male-dominated fields (national security, law enforcement, banking).