KEY

Financial Services

KeyCorp · Banks - Regional · $23B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
51.7
Good

KeyCorp scores 51.7/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Financial Services Sector
KEY
51.7
Sector avg
39.7
Quality
Good
Moat
Weak
Growth
Neutral
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Attractive

What is KeyCorp?

KeyCorp is the Cleveland-based holding company for KeyBank National Association, one of the larger regional banks operating across the United States. It serves individuals, small businesses, and middle-market commercial clients through two core segments: Consumer Bank and Commercial Bank.

KeyCorp generates revenue through a broad mix of deposit-taking, lending, and fee-based financial services. On the consumer side, it offers mortgages, home equity products, credit cards, student loan refinancing, and wealth management. On the commercial side, it provides syndicated finance, equipment finance, capital markets products, treasury services, and commercial mortgage banking — primarily targeting middle-market businesses across its 15-state branch footprint.

KeyCorp was founded in 1987 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • Consumer and small business deposit accounts and lending
  • Mortgage, home equity, and student loan refinancing
  • Commercial banking and middle-market lending
  • Capital markets, derivatives, and financial advisory services
  • Wealth management, trust, and asset management

Is KEY a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates KEY as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed picture across its five quality pillars.

KeyCorp's Quality pillar comes in at a Good rating, supported by its diversified revenue mix spanning consumer and commercial banking. Valuation is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may not be fully pricing in the bank's fundamental profile relative to peers.

The Moat and Risk pillars both register as Weak, pointing to limited competitive differentiation in a crowded regional banking landscape and meaningful exposure to credit and interest-rate risks. Growth is rated Neutral, indicating modest forward momentum.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does KEY pay dividends?

Yes — KeyCorp pays a dividend.

KeyCorp pays a regular dividend, consistent with the income-oriented tradition of large regional banks. The dividend reflects the company's ability to return capital to shareholders while maintaining regulatory capital requirements. Income-focused investors often look to regional bank dividends as a source of steady cash flow, though payout sustainability depends on earnings stability and credit conditions.

When does KEY report earnings?

KeyCorp reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed financial institutions.

Results in recent periods have reflected the broader pressures facing regional banks, including net interest margin compression and shifting credit dynamics. Fee income from capital markets and commercial services has provided some offset to lending-side headwinds.

For the most recent quarter's results and guidance, visit KeyCorp's investor relations page directly.

KEY Price History

+21.2% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in KeyCorp?

$
Today it would be worth
$14,182
That's a +41.8% total return, or +7.2% annualized.

Based on KeyCorp's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

KEY Long-term Outlook

KeyCorp's Growth pillar is rated Neutral, suggesting the bank is not expected to meaningfully outpace the regional banking sector in the near term. The Weak Risk rating signals that credit quality and interest-rate sensitivity remain important variables to watch. On the positive side, the Attractive Valuation rating indicates that current pricing may already reflect many of these concerns, leaving room for re-rating if fundamentals stabilize.

Growth drivers

  • Expansion of fee-based commercial banking and capital markets revenue
  • Potential net interest income recovery as rate environment normalizes
  • Middle-market lending growth across its 15-state footprint

Key risks

  • Credit quality deterioration in commercial real estate and consumer lending
  • Sustained net interest margin pressure from deposit repricing
  • Limited moat in a highly competitive regional banking market

KEY vs Peers

KeyCorp competes primarily with other large regional banks serving similar middle-market and consumer segments across the US.

FCNCAKEY scores higher
First Citizens BancShares, Inc.

First Citizens has grown significantly through acquisitions, including its FDIC-assisted purchase of Silicon Valley Bank assets, giving it a different growth profile than organic-focused peers like KeyCorp.

RFSimilar UQS
Regions Financial Corporation

Regions Financial operates primarily in the Southeast and Midwest, with a consumer-heavy deposit base that differs from KeyCorp's stronger emphasis on commercial and capital markets services.

FITBMSimilar UQS
Fifth Third Bancorp

Fifth Third competes directly with KeyCorp in the Midwest, with a comparable mix of consumer and commercial banking but a distinct footprint and technology investment strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KeyCorp do?

KeyCorp is the holding company for KeyBank National Association, a large regional bank serving consumers, small businesses, and middle-market commercial clients. It offers deposits, lending, wealth management, capital markets, and treasury services across 15 US states through nearly 1,000 branches and digital channels.

Does KEY pay dividends?

Yes, KeyCorp pays a regular dividend. Regional banks like KeyCorp have historically returned capital to shareholders through dividends, though the level of the payout can be influenced by earnings performance, credit conditions, and regulatory capital requirements. Investors should review the latest declaration on KeyCorp's investor relations page.

When does KEY report earnings?

KeyCorp reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, as is standard for US-listed banks. For the exact timing of upcoming releases and access to earnings call replays, visit KeyCorp's investor relations page.

Is KEY a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates KEY as Good overall. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and Quality is Good, but the Moat and Risk pillars are both Weak. Whether KEY fits your portfolio depends on your risk tolerance and investment goals. The full pillar breakdown is available to UQS Pro members.

Is KEY overvalued?

Based on the UQS Valuation pillar, KEY is currently rated Attractive, suggesting the stock may be reasonably priced or even undervalued relative to its fundamental profile. That said, valuation alone does not determine investment suitability — the Risk and Moat ratings are also important context.

How does KEY compare to its competitors?

KeyCorp competes with regional banks such as Regions Financial, Fifth Third Bancorp, and First Citizens BancShares. Each has a distinct geographic footprint and business mix. KeyCorp's stronger commercial banking and capital markets capabilities differentiate it from more consumer-focused peers, though its moat rating remains Weak relative to the sector.

What is KEY's market cap bracket?

KeyCorp is classified as a large-cap stock, placing it among the larger regional banks in the US financial services sector. Large-cap status generally implies greater liquidity and analyst coverage compared to mid- or small-cap bank peers.

Who founded KeyCorp?

KeyCorp traces its roots to 1849 through its banking heritage, though the current holding company structure was established in 1987. Detailed founding history, including key executives and corporate milestones, is publicly available through KeyCorp's official corporate history resources.

Is KEY a long-term quality stock?

As a long-term quality indicator, KEY's UQS profile is mixed. The Good Quality rating and Attractive Valuation are positives, but the Weak Moat suggests limited structural advantages that would protect returns over a full business cycle. Long-term holders should weigh the Risk pillar carefully alongside the bank's dividend track record.

What is the main competitive advantage of KeyCorp?

KeyCorp's primary differentiator is its combination of consumer banking scale and a meaningful commercial and capital markets platform targeting middle-market businesses. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, reflecting the highly competitive nature of regional banking where switching costs and pricing power are limited.

What sector does KEY belong to?

KeyCorp operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically within regional banking. The sector is sensitive to interest rate cycles, credit conditions, and regulatory requirements — all of which are reflected in KEY's Risk pillar rating.

Is KEY a growth stock or value stock?

Based on the UQS pillar profile, KEY leans toward value. The Valuation pillar is Attractive and Growth is only Neutral, suggesting the stock is not priced for aggressive expansion. Investors drawn to KEY are more likely seeking income and relative value than high-growth characteristics.

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Pro Analysis

KEY — Score History

45505560Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 12 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 22, 202651.768.427.055.524.686.90.0
May 14, 202651.768.427.055.524.687.1-0.1
May 12, 202651.868.427.055.524.687.5+0.1
May 7, 202651.768.427.055.524.686.90.0
May 3, 202651.768.427.055.524.687.3-0.1
Apr 29, 202651.868.427.055.524.687.70.0
Apr 19, 202651.868.427.055.524.687.5-1.2
Apr 18, 202653.065.827.055.535.289.6-1.4
Apr 14, 202654.465.827.055.535.298.70.0
Apr 12, 202654.465.827.055.535.299.2-0.1

KEY — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

68.4/100 (25%)

KeyCorp shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.

Return on EquityModerate

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityModerate

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityModerate

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationStrong

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

55.5/100 (20%)

KeyCorp demonstrates healthy growth trends across revenue and earnings.

Recent Revenue TrendStrong

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

3Y Revenue CAGRWeak

Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthStrong

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

24.6/100 (15%)

KeyCorp presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityModerate

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

87.1/100 (15%)

KeyCorp appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

Price to Free Cash FlowStrong

How many years of FCF the market cap represents.

PEG RatioStrong

P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

27/100 (25%)

KeyCorp operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for KEY.

Score Composition

Quality
68.4×25%17.1
Growth
55.5×20%11.1
Risk
24.6×15%3.7
Valuation
87.1×15%13.1
Moat
27.0×25%6.8
Total
51.7Good

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the KEY UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for KeyCorp is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses KeyCorp's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether KeyCorp is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.