KeyBank Review: Checking, Savings and CDs

Margarette Burnette
By Margarette Burnette 
Edited by Alice Holbrook

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KeyBank

    Overall institution rating

    4.0

    NerdWallet rating 
    The bottom line:

    KeyBank’s approach to banking includes no-frills checking accounts and convenience, with more than 1,000 branches in 15 states. The Cleveland-based bank’s overdraft fees aren’t as high as some banks’ but they can be charged multiple times, and savings accounts have low rates. Certificates of deposit also have bare-bones interest rates. But customer service is robust for a midsize bank; it includes 24/7 live phone help, Twitter assistance and extended hours chat support, as well as in-person service.

    Best if: You're looking for a midsize bank with good customer service and you prioritize branch accessibility.

    Pros

    • No monthly fees on some checking accounts.
    • Large branch network.
    • Large, free, nationwide ATM network.
    • 24/7 customer service by phone.

    Cons

    • Low rates on savings accounts and CDs.
    • Monthly fees on savings accounts (though they are avoidable).
    • High minimum opening deposit for CDs.

    Methodology

    NerdWallet’s overall ratings for banks and credit unions are weighted averages of several categories: checking, savings, certificates of deposit or credit union share certificates, banking experience and overdraft fees. Factors we consider, depending on the category, include rates and fees, ATM and branch access, account features and limits, user-facing technology, customer service and innovation. The stars represent ratings from poor (one star) to excellent (five stars). Ratings are rounded to the nearest half-star.