It was history in the making. Yellen is now arguably the most powerful person in global finance, and one of the most influential people in the world.

With the job comes leadership of the Federal Open Market Committee, putting her in charge of what is currently the most scrutinised decision in the financial world – the setting of the Fed’s interest rate target.

On becoming the first woman ever to lead the Fed, Yellen will join Christine Lagarde, who in 2011 became the first woman to head the International Monetary Fund. Together they are now the most important players in the world of international finance.
Two women at the world’s financial helm is not enough

Combining in-house research and work by leading academics, this report assesses how the crisis has impacted investment across the non-financial sector, in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in infrastructure, and in R&D and innovation. It explains why and where investment has declined, looking at the impact of structural imbalances, policy uncertainty, new capital requirements for banks and the fragmentation of Europe’s financial markets. In terms of policy options, it warns against poorly targeted responses and provides, instead, support for key policy interventions at the European level. Download: Free

 to have made it onto Forbes’ top 30 under 30

Forbes has once again published its top 30 under 30 list. From Goldman Sachs to Pinterest, women have left a strong mark on today’s business and entrepreneurial world.
10 women in finance and tech to have made it onto Forbes’ top 30 under 30

Financial planning is a major growth industry in China – the demand for relationship managers alone is an indication of how the industry is booming.

It is also an industry where women excel, demonstrated by this year’s survey by Forbes China, which revealed that of the top 50 financial planners on the mainland, 31 are women – up from 28 last year.

Forbes China managing editor Bridge Kang said that it stems from a tradition in Chinese households that “men earn the money and women manage it.” This helps female professional financial planners and advisers build good relationships with industry executives and customers.”
The finance job where women dominate in China

On Meetup.com, a community bulletin board for the digital age, there are groups for like-minded people of all kinds.

Baby boomers, urban homesteaders, amateur psychics, weekend hikers, veterans interested in doomsday prepping — whatever your interest, there’s a group for you.

When it comes to money, though, many people still aren’t comfortable opening up with anyone, let alone strangers. Many women, in particular, report a lack of confidence in the subject.

While more than half of women today are primary breadwinners, less than a quarter — 22 percent — feel “well prepared” to make financial decisions, according to a survey conducted by Prudential in 2012-2013. Overall, women were twice as likely as men — 15 percent compared to 7 percent — to identify themselves as financial “beginners.”
Financial education groups bring women together to talk money