KeyBank: Ease, Value, and Expertise

Thank you to Jeff Taylor (VP/Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager/KeyBank) for allowing us to spotlight KeyBank! 


What services does Keybank provide? 
KeyBank provides a wide range of financial services for business, personal and private banking. I work in the Business Banking Group, serving a variety of industries including contractors and companies that support the construction industry. We provide loans, line of credits, purchase and credit cards, deposit and treasury services, equipment financing, merchant services and SBA loans and lines. We take a consultative approach with our clients to help them grow and be more successful.  

Please provide a brief history of KeyBank:
KeyBank was founded on January 1, 1849 and has been serving the financial needs of their customers for over 169 years. KeyBank currently operates with 1,200+ branches located in 15 states. KeyBank currently has 5 branches in Clark County to serve the local community.

What are your KeyBank’s core values? How are those applied in everyday operations?
At KeyBank, we have an acronym called E.V.E. and it’s supported by our core values.  It characterizes what we do and why we do it.  E.V.E. is based on three tenets: Ease – KeyBank enables simple and clear banking with no surprises. Value – KeyBank knows our clients and values each relationship. Expertise – KeyBank provides industry-leading expertise and advice personalized to our clients.

What makes your KeyBank stand out among other banks?
Most business owners I speak with have one “go-to” banker or perhaps no “go-to” banker. At KeyBank, we employ a team approach. I am a Relationship Manager so I am the quarterback of the relationship but I am surrounded by a team of product partners who are subject matter experts that help me provide solutions for my clients. The product partners are local which is unique and attractive to business owners. Clients have multiple touch points with the Bank so they can always reach someone who knows them and wants to help.  

Are there any fun facts or quirks about KeyBank that you would like to share with our readers? 
Most people don’t know this but KeyBank successfully completed the purchase of First Niagara Bank in 2016. It was the largest merger of two U.S. regional banks since the conclusion of the recession. The deal raised KeyBank’s asset size from 18th to 13th among U.S. regional banks.

Describe a project KeyBank is proud to have completed:
I have been with KeyBank for 7 years and have developed expertise in underwriting and approving ground-up construction projects. Last year I booked the first ground-up hotel project in Business Banking which is opening doors for other hotel lending opportunities. The project is a $14 million Holiday Inn Express. It was a challenging project because there was a change in the general contractor and because the borrower started construction prior to loan funding.  However, we were able to close the loan and our client was extremely happy. I also have two other ground-up construction projects currently underway in Clark County.  

Please provide some descriptions of the community work KeyBank has done: 
KeyBank has made investments in the SW Washington community and we are striving to make a bigger impact as the right opportunities present themselves. For instance in 2017 we made a $20,000 commitment to Clark County College. $10,000 of the grant was given in 2017 and the second payment will occur this year. 

We also sponsor other organizations in SW Washington. We are frequent sponsors of the Red Cross Heroes breakfast, Vancouver Chamber of Commerce, Vancouver Business Journal and Columbia River Economic Development Council.  

Lastly, at KeyBank we have a volunteer day called Neighbors Make A Difference. All employees participate except those needed to maintain operations at the branch level.  Nearly 6,000 KeyBank employees across the nation participate in the volunteer day.  One of my goals in 2019 is to support a SW Washington non-profit with a Neighbors Make A Difference project.  

Why did your KeyBank decide to join the SWCA? How do you see us aiding in your business growth? 
Quite frankly I’m surprised we weren’t members sooner but when I vetted out professional organizations in Vancouver about five years ago joining SWCA was an easy decision. SWCA’s events are fun and well organized.  The staff and board directors are supportive and helpful.  From a business standpoint we are encouraged to work with business owners in the construction industry so it’s a good use of my time and energy.  

Being a SWCA member aides my business because it affords me opportunities to network and add value and industry relevant information to the membership. Last year we were grateful to be involved in a SWCA Business Transition Seminar and we were able to gain a new client relationship that has been mutually beneficial. SWCA provides us with the opportunities to gain more business and it’s up to us to take advantage of them. I suspect we will be even more involved with SWCA this year and in the years to follow.