ELDI would be nothing without the countless partners we’ve worked with over the years to realize the community’s vision of a thriving and diverse, mixed-income community.

One group of partners that played a critical role in the neighborhood’s success were the banks that loaned us funds for big community developments. KeyBank (legacy bank National City) is one of those partners, supporting us for over 20 years on a range of projects with a $500K unsecured line of credit that we have used for working capital needs. In addition, they provided us with an unsecured $200K term loan that we’ve used for various real estate projects.

Luci Casile has been our business banking relationship manager at KeyBank for five years, and for the past 24, she’s been working with small business clients to help them streamline their banking processes and lend them money to help them grow their businesses. When the world shut down during the pandemic, Luci was the one who helped us navigate the federal Paycheck Protection Program loan process. This enabled us to keep the lights on and keep our operations running until the situation stabilized.

“While this was the most challenging time of my career, I am most proud of how I was able to assist business owners to keep their doors open,” Luci said about that time. “The guidance and assistance that I provided were invaluable. I still receive compliments and thank yous from my clients years later.”

Luci has also been integral to the development of KeyBank’s community programs such as Key4Women which empowers women entrepreneurs and leaders across Pittsburgh.

Learn more about this and other KeyBank programs below, as well as some reflections from Luci on working with us at ELDI.


Can you tell us about the Key4Women program and how can it help women in our community?

Luci Casile, KeyBank Business Banking Relationship Manager

Key4Women is a program that advocates, connects, and empowers women as they progress on their journey to financial wellness.

It’s comprised of a nationwide network of like-minded members and advisors who understand the unique needs of women entrepreneurs and leaders. The Key4Women national team provides guidance, tools, and resources to help female business owners and female-led businesses. Teams of certified advisors work with females across our footprint.

Locally, I serve as a Key4Women advisor. I am proud of the female business owners that I have helped through the years and who are currently my clients. Recently, our Key4Women team held an all-day forum where we brought powerful women together in one room. Our keynote speaker was Kiya Tomlin, a female business owner, clothing designer, mother, and wife to Coach Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  It was a wonderful day that many women enjoyed. We also hold several networking events such as happy hours and educational segments for female business owners.

What other community programs and initiatives does KeyBank offer?

Key Bank recently allocated $40B to invest in the communities they serve with programs such as:

  • Key Bank Assists, an ongoing effort to support the small businesses in our neighborhoods;
  • Neighbors Make a Difference Day, where thousands of KeyBank teammates across the country contribute their time and talents to local nonprofit organizations;
  • Building Community program which spotlights local heroes in the community;
  • Super Refund Saturday, where hundreds of teammates volunteer to help local nonprofit organizations provide low-to-moderate-income wage earners with free tax preparation services and assistance in determining their eligibility for the Earned Income Tax Credit; and
  • KeyBank Foundation, which provides grants and sponsorships to business owners and nonprofit organizations to make dreams a reality.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?

I’m honored to be working with ELDI.  What they’ve been able to accomplish in the East Liberty neighborhood is astonishing.  I grew up in neighboring Lawrenceville, so I have the city living in my heart. I look forward to finding ways to become more involved with the organization and their clients, especially with their conservatorship efforts.


➡ Learn more about KeyBank’s community programs.

➡ Read more community stories.