Bank / Credit Union

KeyCorp inks acquisition of Clearwater

Photo: Adobe Stock

April 30, 2026

Summarize with

KeyCorp, the owner of Key Bank, has entered into an agreement to acquire Clearwater Corporate Finance LLP, a middle-market investment advisory firm based in the U.K. Through this acquisition, Key aims to expand its services into Western Europe, according to a press release.

The two companies will offer a combined platform to give U.S. private equity companies and corporate clients access to European acquisitions and exit strategies. European clients will be able to access the U.S. mergers and acquisitions market.

"Years of collaboration with Clearwater has generated significant value for clients on both sides of the Atlantic," Randy Paine, president of Key Institutional Bank, said in the release. "This transaction is the natural next step in the relationship and directly supports our institutional banking growth strategy."

The acquisition is pending regulatory approvals. It is expected to close in the second half of 2026.