KeyBank Secured Credit Card Program Helps 4,400 Clients Graduate in 2025
KeyBank has announced that in the first half of 2025, more than 4,400 clients successfully graduated from its Key Secured Credit Card program, a financial tool designed to help individuals strengthen their credit profiles and build long-term stability. Among these clients, 59% reached graduation within a year of enrolling, and 88% completed the program within two years. To better celebrate client progress, KeyBank expanded graduation ceremonies to a quarterly schedule in 2024. Since the program’s launch in 2019, over 40,300 clients have completed it.
The Key Secured Credit Card offers eligible clients a structured way to establish or improve credit, build savings while using credit responsibly, and develop healthier financial habits. Once participants graduate, their secured card is upgraded to an unsecured credit card, and the funds previously held in their Key Active Saver account as collateral are released. This transition opens the door to KeyBank’s traditional credit products.
“Building financial literacy and resilience is critical—especially during uncertain economic conditions,” said Dan Brown, Director of Consumer Product Management at KeyBank. “This program provides the tools, education, and stepping stones our clients need for long-term success. We’re honored to have helped so many people gain confidence and skills to take control of their financial future over the past six years.”
Program Enhancements Introduced in 2024–2025
The Key Secured Credit Card offers eligible clients a structured way to establish or improve credit, build savings while using credit responsibly, and develop healthier financial habits. Once participants graduate, their secured card is upgraded to an unsecured credit card, and the funds previously held in their Key Active Saver account as collateral are released. This transition opens the door to KeyBank’s traditional credit products.
“Building financial literacy and resilience is critical—especially during uncertain economic conditions,” said Dan Brown, Director of Consumer Product Management at KeyBank. “This program provides the tools, education, and stepping stones our clients need for long-term success. We’re honored to have helped so many people gain confidence and skills to take control of their financial future over the past six years.”
Program Enhancements Introduced in 2024–2025
- Onboarding communications: New cardholders now receive enhanced tools and training for credit-building, along with added financial education updates in 2025.
- Graduation support: Beginning April 2025, KeyBank invited more than 11,400 program participants across seven states to join live workshops focused on credit scores, credit reports, and debt management.
- Credit line increases: Since 2024, eligible graduates have been offered higher credit limits as part of their transition—benefiting more than 6,500 clients so far.
- Access to unsecured credit: A new “Invitation to Apply” campaign, launched in June 2025, introduced over 6,100 graduates to traditional KeyBank credit cards such as KeyBank Latitude and Key Cashback.
Graduate Outcomes in 2025
- 72% of graduates began the program without a FICO score.
- 28% entered with a FICO score.
- Clients with an existing score saw an average increase of 85 points this year.
- Those who began without a score graduated with an average score of 724.
- Historically, participants with a starting FICO score have seen an average gain of 68 points at graduation.
Key Secured Credit Card Features
- Security deposits are held in a Key Active Saver account, helping clients save while building credit. The monthly service fee on this account is waived for program participants.
- The card has no annual fee.
- Unlike prepaid or debit cards, it reports payment history to credit bureaus, supporting long-term credit growth.
- Clients can monitor their FICO score for free anytime through online or mobile banking without affecting their score.
- A temporary lock feature allows clients to freeze and unfreeze misplaced cards instantly without harming credit history.
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