Charles Schwab Corp. history, profile and corporate video
The Charles Schwab Corp. provides securities brokerage, banking, and related financial services to individuals and institutional clients. It operates through two segments: Investor Services and Institutional Services. The Investor Services segment provides retail brokerage and banking services to individual investors. It offers research, analytic tools, performance reports, market analysis, and educational material to its clients. The Institutional Services segment provides custodial, trading, and support services to independent Investment Advisors. This segment also provides retirement plan services, specialty brokerage services and mutual fund clearing services and supports the availability of Schwab proprietary mutual funds and collective trust funds on third-party platforms. The company was founded by Charles R. Schwab in 1986 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA.“
“Charles Schwab History
For 40 years, The Charles Schwab Corporation has been an advocate for individual investors and the financial professionals who serve them.
1973-1986: Leading an investor revolution
With the May 1, 1975, deregulation of brokerage commissions, Chuck Schwab emerges as the de facto leader of a revolution. In a little more than a decade, his company defies conventional wisdom by opening nearly 100 branches, offering 24-hour-a-day quotes, and even exploring online services. The company becomes “America’s Largest Discount Broker,” and later a subsidiary of Bank of America.
1987-1994: Expanding service and access
True to his independent roots, Chuck Schwab buys the company back from Bank of America and, two months later, takes it public. A market crash and catastrophic earthquake shake the San Francisco-based firm, but Schwab still manages to launch services for independent financial advisors, the Schwab 1000 Fund®, the No-Fee IRA, Schwab Mutual Fund OneSource© service and online trading.
1995-2000: Clicking with online investing
The Internet era begins. Schwab.com launches online trading during a historic bull market, and the combination fuels tremendous growth in client assets. During this period, Schwab continues to diversify by launching a bundled 401(k) plan and expanding internationally. The firm also reshapes its core brokerage business as it begins to offer financial advice.
2001-2007: Banking on added value
The dot-com bubble bursts, and so does Schwab’s unsustainable cost structure. After CEO Dave Pottruck resigns, Chuck returns to lead the firm. Through acquisition and organic growth, the corporation introduces new products and services for three distinct client segments – individual investors, independent advisors and company plan sponsors – and expands offerings with the launch of Charles Schwab Bank®.
2008-Now: Innovating on behalf of clients
With the markets in crisis, the company focuses on what it does best – innovating on behalf of clients. Schwab goes mobile and to the cloud, Exchange Traded Funds explode in popularity, and money management capabilities grow. By the end of 2012, client assets have grown to $2 trillion.”
*Information from Forbes.com and Schwab.com
**Video published on YouTube by “Charles Schwab“