KeyCorp says it is confident of reaching its $1 billion target for investment banking and direct placement fees, even as middle-market dealmaking stays weak. Announced middle-market mergers and acquisitions fell 11% in 2026, but the bank's M&A fees rose 15% year to date. "I have no worries that we won't achieve it," said Randy Paine, president of Key Institutional Bank. Chief financial officer Clark Khayat said the bank is not counting on a surge in deals. Key agreed to buy Atlantic-Pacific Capital, a private capital adviser with about 35 employees. About 40% of Key's investment banking fees come from private equity-owned companies. Clearwater, a UK firm Key bought in August, contributed about $10 million in fees in the third quarter. Key had projected $20 million to $25 million for 2026.

SkyREM, a New York industrial real estate investor, has announced a fully committed $150 million credit facility to speed up acquisitions of modern, mission-critical industrial properties across key US markets. The company manages more than 12 million square feet. It closed four off-market acquisitions in recent months and will consider single assets, portfolios, build-to-suit projects, and structured financing deals. SkyREM is also weighing selective asset sales to fund reinvestment in high-quality industrial properties. "We see a compelling opportunity to expand our industrial portfolio at a time when access to capital and certainty of execution are increasingly important," said founder Alex Dembitzer.