CLEVELAND—Key has just appointed Robert Likes to national manager of community development lending and investment. Likes has been with Cleveland-based KeyBank Real Estate Capital for 12 years, and will now spearhead the national expansion of Key's affordable housing platform. He will report to Norman Nichols, executive vice president and head of income property group and community development, lending and investment. Likes was most recently head of the northwest income property group at KeyBank.

“Rob's leadership and expertise, combined with the depth and breadth of the KeyBank Real Estate Capital platform, will position Key to become a national leader in affordable housing,” says Nichols. “With more than 25 years of commercial real estate banking experience, Rob has helped to build and lead successful teams in client management, risk management, loan workout and capital markets loan origination.”

Last year, KeyBank provided nearly $400 million in debt and equity financing to developments in underserved communities, company officials say. The CDL platform plays a significant role in the bank's ability to meet the Community Reinvestment Act objectives, which include offering low-to-moderate-income communities reliable lending, investment and service options. Last year, KeyBank Real Estate Capital raised more than $42 billion in capital for its clients.