KeyBank Partnership with Operation HOPE Marks Beginning of New Era in Homebuyer & Financial Education in Buffalo

Financial coach will serve at KeyBank's East Delavan branch to provide one-on-one and group financial assistance and access to programming at no cost

BUFFALO, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- KeyBank and Operation HOPE, Inc., a national non-profit dedicated to financial empowerment for underserved communities, celebrated the beginning of a new era in homebuyer and financial education in Buffalo. KeyCorp Chairman and CEO Chris Gorman, and Operation HOPE Chairman John Hope Bryant took part in a celebration at KeyBank's East Delavan branch located at 752 East Delavan Avenue. The event marked the start of HOPE Inside, which delivers financial education programming and coaching, including homebuyer education, to help empower community members with knowledge and tools to create a secure financial future.

KeyBank has a dedicated Operation HOPE financial coach placed in its East Delavan branch to provide education and programming to everyone including adults, youth, disaster survivors, and employees at no cost.

KeyBank and Operation HOPE's partnership is focused on two key areas:

• Homebuyer Education. HUD-certified Operation HOPE coaches will offer group homebuyer education classes and coaching sessions to provide individuals with knowledge, skills, and resources to help overcome common challenges first-time homebuyers face as they go through the home loan process.
  
  
• Financial Education.  Credit and money management education, where onsite Operation HOPE coaches will assist and lead individuals through guided steps on how to improve money management and provide support throughout their financial journey.

"KeyBank's purpose is to help our clients and communities thrive. An important part of building thriving communities is providing access to financial tools and planning," said Chris Gorman, Chairman and CEO, KeyCorp. "Through this groundbreaking relationship with Operation HOPE, we are proud to take a significant step in empowering Buffalo community members with the knowledge and tools to build a more secure financial future."

"By joining forces with Keybank, we can expand Operation HOPE's reach and impact, bringing financial education and resiliency to those who need it the most," said John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Operation HOPE. "Together, we are creating a pathway to financial success and homeownership, empowering individuals and families to build a better future for themselves and their communities. Our shared commitment to empowering underserved communities lays the foundation for a more prosperous future in Buffalo."

KeyBank's homebuyer focus with Operation HOPE is just one way the bank is making access to homeownership easier and more equitable. This program follows Key's introduction of the KeyBank Neighbors First Credit^SMi, Key Opportunities Home Equity Loanⁱⁱ and the increase of KeyBank Home Buyer Credit ^SMiii, two Special Purpose Credit Programs^iv offered for qualifying properties in eligible communities to help borrowers on their path to owning a home, as well as a commitment to invest more than $25 million in grants, fee waivers, and marketing over five years to increase mortgage lending in majority-minority neighborhoods and more than $1 million to homebuyer education and other community support.

NOTICE: This is not a commitment to lend or extend credit. Conditions and restrictions may apply. All home lending products, including mortgage, home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, are subject to credit and collateral approval. Not all home lending products are available in all states. Hazard insurance and, if applicable, flood insurance is required on collateral property. Actual rates, fees and terms are based on those offered as of the date of application and are subject to change without notice. Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed.

ABOUT KEYBANK
KeyBank's (NYSE: KEY) roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation's largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $195 billion at June 30, 2023. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,300 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC. NMLS #399797. Equal Housing Lender.

ABOUT OPERATION HOPE, INC.
Since 1992, Operation HOPE has steadfastly advanced America from civil rights to "Silver Rights," empowering millions of low and moderate-income youth and adults across the nation through its visionary community uplift model, HOPE Inside. Lauded as the Innovator of the Year by American Banker magazine, Operation HOPE has impacted over 4 million individuals and facilitated over $4 billion in economic activity within disenfranchised communities. This transformative approach has converted check-cashing customers into banking clients, renters into homeowners, small business dreamers into successful owners, minimum wage workers into living wage consumers, and uncertain disaster victims into financially empowered survivors. Recognized with Fast Company's World Changing Ideas Award for fostering entrepreneurship, and honored with the prestigious 4-star charity rating for fiscal management and commitment to transparency and accountability by Charity Navigator, Operation HOPE continues to level the economic playing field for underserved Americans. Recently, HOPE launched The 1865 Project, an initiative designed to drive economic equity. For more information: OperationHOPE.org. Join the conversation on social media at @operationhope.

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ⁱEligibility is determined based on both census tract and community location. Not all census tracts within a listed community are eligible. Not all properties in communities that are listed may qualify. Eligible communities are subject to change without notice. Available on primary residence purchases only.

ⁱⁱKey Opportunities Home Equity Loan is a rate discount program provided as a permanent rate reduction that will be reflected in the Promissory Note interest rate. Interest rate discount is not combinable with any other offers. Not available in all states. To apply for a home equity loan, you must: Be 18 years of age or older Live within the following states: AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, MA, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, or WA Agree to provide additional personal and business information, if requested, such as tax returns and financial statements Certify that all information submitted in the application is true and correct Authorize the bank and or a credit bureau to investigate the information on the application Please read our Disclosures. If you applied for your credit account online within the last 90 days, you may also review the original disclosures provided to you.

ⁱⁱⁱEligibility is determined based on both census tract and community location. Not all census tracts within a listed community are eligible. Not all properties in communities that are listed may qualify. Eligible communities are subject to change without notice.

^ivSpecial Purpose Credit Programs are, generally, programs that are established to meet special social needs or the needs of economically disadvantaged persons by extending credit to persons who would probably be denied credit or would receive it on less favorable terms, under certain conditions. See 15 U.S.C. § 1691(c)(1)-(3); 12 C.F.R. § 1002.8(a).

SOURCE KeyCorp