KeyBank Graduates 4,600 Secured Card Clients
More than 4,600 KeyBank clients completed its Key Secured Credit Card program in the first half of 2026, moving to unsecured cards.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Credit Cards
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KeyBank said more than 4,600 clients graduated from its Key Secured Credit Card program in the first half of 2026, transitioning to traditional unsecured credit cards. The bank reported that more than 48,000 clients have graduated since the program's inception.
Why it matters
The program is designed to help clients establish and improve their credit histories while building savings. The graduation figures offer a view of how many secured cardholders advance to unsecured credit.
KeyBank reported that 68% of first-half 2026 graduates finished within 12 months and 85% within 24 months. Among graduates who entered without a FICO score, the average final score was 724, while low-score entrants gained an average of 86 points.
The players
KeyBank
KeyBank is a regional U.S. bank that operates the Key Secured Credit Card program and offers the Key Active Saver accounts that hold pledged deposits.
The details
Cardholders who complete the Key Secured Credit Card program have their pledged security deposits released from Key Active Saver accounts and receive upgraded unsecured cards. The bank did not specify how many clients remain enrolled or how the program compares with competing offerings.
Timeline
2019: Key Secured Credit Card program launched.
First half of 2026: More than 4,600 clients graduated from the program.
November 6, 2026: KeyBank announced the graduation figures.
Track Record
The 2026 graduation figures extend the Key Secured Credit Card program's record since its 2019 launch, bringing the cumulative total to more than 48,000 graduates. The results show how secured cards are used as a path to unsecured credit for consumers with thin or low credit histories.
Cardholders in secured card programs can track their own progress toward graduation and the release of pledged deposits. Those with low starting scores may see meaningful score gains, as the program's low-score graduates averaged an 86-point increase.
The takeaway
Consumers building credit can use a secured card with a clear graduation path to move toward unsecured credit, with completion timelines of 12 to 24 months for most participants.
Further reading
Explore more on Credit Cards to see how secured cards fit into building credit.
Source note: This article includes information reported by ATM Marketplace.
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