Author: sHq_LoGiNz

Taco Bell blog

Alba R. began her journey in the restaurant industry at just 16 years old, working her way through every position, from Team Member to her current role as an Area Coach overseeing multiple Taco Bell restaurants for Franchise Org. U.S. Leader Restaurants OPCO, LLC.

“Before Taco Bell, I learned the value of hard work, resilience, and taking care of people. But when I got here, Taco Bell became more than a job for me, it became a career.”

Starting at the restaurant level, Alba learned every role and steadily advanced through operations and leadership positions within her franchise organization. Along the way, she developed teams, supported General Managers, and ultimately stepped into her current role leading multiple restaurants. These experiences have come with many memorable moments!

“One of my favorite moments which is ongoing is seeing people I’ve coached get promoted and achieve goals they once thought were out of reach! This has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey.”

Education has also played an important role in her development. Through Taco Bell’s Tacos & Tuition program (available for company-owned restaurants and select franchises like U.S. Leader Restaurants OPCO, LLC), Alba saw an opportunity to continue growing and took it.

“I wanted to take advantage of the benefit that invests in their team and helps open doors for the future. By taking courses through Tacos & Tuition, it’s helped me build confidence, expand knowledge, and continue developing as a leader, because learning never stops.”

Above all, Alba values the culture she’s found!

“What I love most is that Taco Bell has created a culture where growth is possible. I’m proud of my journey, proud to lead others, and grateful to work for a brand that supports education, opportunity, and people development.”

Are you a Taco Bell Team Member ready to take the next step toward your goals? Explore Tacos & Tuition to find education programs that can help you move forward. Tacos & Tuition is open to eligible employees of participating franchise groups—talk to your leader about eligibility today!

CLEVELAND, October 29, 2026 /3BL/ – Today, KeyBank (NYSE: KEY) announced the first half of the 2026 graduating classes of the Key Secured Credit Card® program comprised of more than 4,600 clients who have been empowered to improve their credit scores and establish financial stability. Of these graduates, 68% graduated within 12 months, while 85% graduated over the course of 24 months (Data from graduating classes between January 1-June 30, 2026). 

Among graduates, 74% entered the program without a FICO® Score and 26% entered with a low FICO Score. Clients who began with a low FICO Score improved their scores by an average of 86 points,¹ while those who entered without a score graduated with an average FICO Score of 724, underscoring the program’s ongoing success in helping clients establish, build, and strengthen their credit histories.

The Key Secured Credit Card aims to strengthen financial wellness by providing eligible clients with opportunities to establish or improve their credit history,² bolster savings while building credit, and create better money habits. Upon graduation, a client’s Key Secured Credit Card will be upgraded to an unsecured credit card, releasing the funds from their Key Active Saver^® account that were once pledged as collateral.

Since the program’s inception in 2019, more than 48,000 clients have graduated as a result of both establishing credit and demonstrating credit improvement.

“At Key, we’re passionate about helping our clients understand the importance of building and maintaining strong credit, as it’s an important building block to a solid financial future. Providing education around the importance of establishing good credit, while also supplying the tools to achieve it, is what sets Key apart from other banks,” said Maria Ponce, Head of Consumer Payments at KeyBank. “To be a part of this work, and to witness the success our clients have firsthand, year after year, is truly special.”

Over the years, the secured card program has been recognized by clients for providing a path of access to Key’s traditional credit solutions. Earlier this year, clients provided testimonies proving just how this program is a steppingstone for financial success.

• As one client shared: “Having the Secured Card allowed me to build my credit after divorcing destroyed it.” And another client mentioned, “It just helped me to build my credit to the point where I was able to take out a car loan and get an unsecured credit card.”

Each year, KeyBank looks for ways to support and boost the overall client experience to foster success.

• Enhanced communications. Recently, Key introduced brand-new cardholders access to tools and training, providing greater clarity and transparency that ultimately helped cardholders build credit. Last year, card holders were supported with additional communications around financial education and account engagement communications.
• Credit Line increases. As part of the graduation process, a Credit Line Increase program enhancement was introduced in 2024 for qualifying clients. Since then, 10,021 graduates have received a credit line increase, including 2,052 during the first half of 2026. The increased credit capacity enhances clients’ purchasing power and provides additional support for their ongoing financial needs.
• Access to traditional forms of credit. Additionally, a new Invitation to Apply campaign was launched in June 2025 for graduates ready to transition to traditional credit cards, reaching over 6,100 clients. The ongoing campaign introduces eligible clients to more traditional credit cards like the KeyBank Latitude® and Key Cashback® credit card products.
• Scheduled for 2027: Clients will soon have access to the enhanced ‘Money Me and Key’ live workshops to help better understand the lending ecosphere. In addition to current Key Secured Credit Card clients, Key will be expanding its audiences to additional clients who seek assistance. The Key Secured Credit Card program has provided this year’s graduates with the building blocks they need to take control of their credit and make sound financial decisions to maintain a healthy FICO score.

Since its launch in 2019, the program has helped 48,055 clients strengthen their credit profiles, with 60% of graduates completing the program within 12 months and 88% within 24 months. Overall, 71% of graduates entered the program without a FICO® Score, demonstrating the program’s success in helping clients establish credit, while 29% enrolled with a low FICO Score and used the program to rebuild their credit. Among those with a low FICO Score at enrollment, graduates increased their scores by an average of 70 points. Clients who entered the program without a FICO Score achieved an average FICO Score of 722 upon graduation.

Additional Key Secured Credit Card features include:

• Cardholders have the ability to check their FICO score³ for free anytime in online and mobile banking. It’s quick, easy and does not impact their credit score.
• With Key’s temporary lock security feature, cardholders can more easily use online or mobile banking to lock and unlock a misplaced credit card, thus reducing the likelihood of having to cancel it and open a new one—potentially harming their credit score.

The Key Secured Credit Card requires a refundable security deposit,⁴ which determines clients’ credit lines. Deposit amounts start at $300. While clients build their credit their Key Secured Credit Card deposit must be kept in a Key Active Saver account, allowing users to build their credit and savings in tandem. The monthly maintenance service charge on the Key Active Saver account is waived for Key Secured Credit Card clients. In addition, there is a $0 annual fee on the Key Secured Credit Card.⁵Unlike prepaid or debit cards, the Secured Credit Card reports clients’ history to credit bureaus, allowing them to show progress. For more information on Secured Credit Card, visit https://www.key.com/personal/credit-cards/key-secured-credit-card.jsp.

All credit products are subject to credit approval

1 Based on an internal analysis of customers who graduated from the secured card program in 2026. The stated average FICO® Score of 724 represents the arithmetic mean of customers’ FICO® Scores at the time their accounts were opened. The average 86-point increase reflects the mean change between customers’ FICO® Scores at account origination and at the time of graduation. Results are based on historical data; individual outcomes will vary and are not guaranteed.

2 Use of the Key Secured Credit Card can help build your credit when the minimum payment is made by the due date, each month.

3 Clients with newly opened credit card accounts may not see their first FICO^® Score in online and mobile banking for up to 90 days after enrollment. In certain circumstances, a FICO^® Score may not be available for various reasons, e.g., having a limited credit history. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

4 Opening of the Key Secured Credit Card is subject to funds being appropriately deposited into a solely owned Key Active Saver account. The Key Secured Credit Card is subject to credit approval. The credit card must be secured by a minimum deposit of $300, up to a maximum of $5,000, in a Key Active Saver account. The Key Active Saver account must be funded within 30 days of account opening. The monthly maintenance service charge on the Key Active Saver account will be waived for Key Secured Credit Card clients. This waiver remains in effect only while the Key Secured Credit Card account is open and in good standing as referenced in the Cardmember Agreement (https://www.key.com/about/misc/leaving.html?to/mastercard+zeroliability) If the Key Secured Credit Card account is closed or converted to an unsecured credit card, the Key Active Saver monthly maintenance service charge of $4.00 may apply, unless you are the owner of a KeyBank consumer checking account (including the KeyBank Hassle-Free Account®).

ABOUT KEYCORP

KeyCorp’s roots trace back more than 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 $193 billion as of September 30, 2026.

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 950 branches and approximately 1,100 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 Member FDIC.

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CFMA: 261027-5162178

At Elanco, we believe that making life better for animals, makes life better. That includes every pet, whatever their owner’s circumstances. That’s why we were proud to join The Veterinary Cooperative (TVC) in supporting The Street Dog Coalition, a nonprofit that brings free veterinary care to the pets of people experiencing homelessness. 

Together, TVC and Elanco donated a combined $14,088, enough to help provide free veterinary care for more than 120 pets. 

A Night of Bingo with a Big Impact 

At TVC VetVision 2026 in Columbus, Ohio, TVC shareholders, team members and industry partners gathered for the second annual Paws for a Cause: Bingo Night. The evening raised $7,044, and Elanco matched every dollar. 

For TVC, a member-owned cooperative of independent veterinary practices, the event was a chance to live out one of its founding values. Concern for Community is one of the seven cooperative principles that guide TVC’s work, reflecting its commitment to animal welfare and the communities its members serve. 

Why The Street Dog Coalition? 

For many people experiencing homelessness, a pet is family, a source of comfort and a constant companion. The Street Dog Coalition takes a One Health approach to street medicine. That approach recognizes that the health of people and the health of their animals are closely connected. Its volunteers deliver preventive care through pop-up street clinics. They also work with community partners to connect pets and their people with additional services. 

What this donation makes possible: 

• $116: The Street Dog Coalition’s 2026 average cost to care for one pet 
• 120+ pets: the number of animals this gift can help care for 
• 60+ locations: the number of communities across the U.S. where the organization runs clinics 

The Street Dog Coalition said the joint gift will have “an enormous impact” on its ability to care for these pets. It added that support from partners who share its focus on the human-animal bond helps the organization expand its reach. 

Real Impact Happens Locally 

Elanco works alongside shelters and community clinics across the country to help deliver vaccines, preventive care, treatment and support services to pets and families who might otherwise go without. Our support of The Street Dog Coalition builds on that work. It strengthens local animal welfare networks and helps more pets stay healthy alongside the people who love them. 

Get Involved 

To learn more about The Street Dog Coalition, find a clinic, or volunteer or donate, visit thestreetdogcoalition.org. 

To learn more about Elanco’s Paws for Purpose Program, click here.