Potential clients, be educated, your "trusted advisors" last job was probably a car salesman. Employee, morale is low. - Vice President, Commercial KeyBank Employee Review

1.0
Oct 25, 2008
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

KeyBank has a good infrastructure and descent products given their size. They actually have the potential to be a great bank. Unfortunately, their “Corporate Speak”, what they claim to be, versus what they are, are two different things. With different and competent middle management, Key has the potential of being a great institution.

Cons

Welcome to the “good ole’ boy network”. I am shocked at the people who are promoted based on who they know versus what they know. Experience, results and commitment, have little to no value in this organization. Work life balance, they could care less. I have never had the displeasure of working with such unethical individuals in my life. Their code of ethics policy states: fellow colleagues should respect and value one another. Not only is there a complete and total lack of respect, don’t turn your back, the first to put a knife in it is rewarded and celebrated. Most disheartening is that senior management is aware of these issues but choose to turn a blind eye to the problem. If you are a client of KeyBank, be assured, while they are friendly and cordial in meetings, they look at you as a contribution margin. The larger the contribution, the greater the chance you will be treated as more than a number. For these and many other reasons, KeyBank has a very high turnover rate, the working conditions are more than stressful. One person is expected to do the job of three or four. Additionally, their middle management, are some of the least experienced in the business. If you have no experience but are willing to align yourself properly, even at the cost of your integrity, this is the place for you to manage!

Explore other reviews about KeyBank

5.0
Jun 3, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Culture, opportunities, industry leading products and benefits

Cons

Internal politics and favoritism blocks talent

3.0
Jul 20, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Generous PTO allowance; Get to build relationships with local customers. Can be a great company to work for so long as you are not in the Eastern PA region. Key Bank's acquisition of First Niagara Bank (FNB) in Eastern PA left a void in regards to lack of consistency in executing Key Bank company culture and leadership in the acquired Eastern PA region, which functioned as a hybrid of Key Bank's culture & processes, as well as old FNB culture & processes.

Cons

Forced to spend too much time focusing on checking account openings, credit card applications, and work on the teller line. Management expects you to focus more on getting a client to a certain wellness score as a metric versus being given the time to perform an in-depth financial planing analysis for each client. Getting clients to discuss their investment portfolio outside the bank takes time and relationship building. Management expects you to push products and advice in such a way that you are performing immediately to the role's metrics versus being given the time to build relationships, which not only takes time, but typically has very large rewards by way of significant investment & insurance business. Management exprects an SLRM to put way more focus on the branch's banking needs and doesn't probvide the time and proper resources needed to acquire & properly service investment clients. Branch management encourages predatory behavior among the floor sales team instead of working with a team approach. Referrals from tellers and Personal Bankers are highly depended on how competitive the branch environment is versus a "There's no 'I' in team" approach.

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