KeyCorp (KeyBank)

KeyCorp received a score of 100 on the 2025 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) from the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), a political stakeholder group. The company recruits employees based on sexual identity issues. The company discriminates against vendors that do not promote divisive sex and gender policies, indicating it prioritizes sexual issues over merit (1)(2). KeyCorp utilizes ESG criteria in its banking practices, including incorporating climate risk into its decisions (3)(4). However, the company has not canceled customers, suppliers, or vendors based on political views or religious beliefs (5).

KeyBank’s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company will not donate to non-religious charities unless they embrace controversial sexual identity policies (1)(2). The bank’s charitable grant guidelines require that non-religious organizations abide by its nondiscrimination policy, including on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, thereby excluding some religious charities (3).

KeyCorp‘s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company forces employees to attend multiple, controversial trainings on gender identity, sexual orientation, transgender issues, and divisive racial ideology. The company provides gender transition guidelines for its employees and a specific benefits guide with a comprehensive explanation of transgender services funded by the company (1)(2). KeyCorp offers unconscious bias training to its employees (3). The company does not provide viewpoint protections for its employees (4).

KeyCorp ‘s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company agrees to allow a controversial stakeholder group focused on sexual identity issues to dictate marketing or advertising strategy. By doing so, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). KeyCorp signed an open letter endorsing the Equality Act, a contentious proposal to amend the 1964 Civil Rights Act by adding sexual orientation and so-called gender identity as protected categories. The legislation would, among other implications, grant biological men access to women-only spaces such as sports teams and public restrooms, and compel healthcare providers to deliver sex-denying healthcare (3). The company is a PCAF member, committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050 (4)(5). KeyCorp’s CEO Christopher Gorman is a member of the Business Roundtable and Former CEO Beth Mooney signed its 2019 Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, which promotes stakeholder capitalism over traditional obligations to shareholders (6)(7). The company’s CEO, Chris Gorman, signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion pledge, which includes a commitment to promote DEI through bias education training in the workplace, strategize on DEI programs/initiatives with other signatories, and engage boards of directors when developing and evaluating DEI strategies (8)(9).

KeyCorp‘s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company covers transgender related costs for its employees and their children, including paid short-term leave, puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, chest surgeries, genital surgeries, medical visits and lab monitoring, travel and lodging. Additionally, the company has pledged philanthropic support of at least one organization or event that promotes sex and gender ideology. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company increases health care costs and risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). In 2021, KeyCorp provided $18.6 million in grants to organizations and programs focused on social justice and racial equity but did not disclose to which groups the funds were given. The company also invested in DEI speakers, programs, and projects, including countering “systemic racism” (3). KeyBank sponsored the following 4 events in 2025: Utah Pride, Pride in the CLE, BBH Pride Fest, 2025 Utah Pride (4)(5)(6)(7). Otherwise, there are no publicly known cases of KeyCorp using corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies (8).

KeyCorp‘s HRC 2025 CEI rating indicates the company publicly advocated for controversial sex and gender ideology through local, state or federal legislation or initiatives. By allowing a political stakeholder group to dictate operations, the company risks dividing employees, alienating customers and harming shareholders (1)(2). KeyCorp has not used its PAC donations or lobbying for ideological purposes (3)(4)(5).