Charles Schwab Corp., founded in 1971 by Charles R. Schwab, is a leading American financial services firm headquartered in Westlake, Texas. Originally launched as a discount brokerage in San Francisco, the company pioneered low-cost trading after commission deregulation. Today, it operates under the leadership of President and CEO Walter W. Bettinger II, with Charles R. Schwab serving as Chairman, and has grown through strategic acquisitions to broaden its service offering and client base.
The firm’s core business encompasses brokerage and trading services for equities, fixed income, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and options. In addition to traditional brokerage, Charles Schwab offers comprehensive wealth management and retirement planning solutions, including personalized advisory services, portfolio management and financial planning. Clients can access these services through a network of branches and digital channels, backed by dedicated support from Schwab’s team of investment professionals.
Complementing its advisory and brokerage operations, Charles Schwab provides banking products through Schwab Bank, including checking and savings accounts, home mortgages and cash management solutions. The company maintains a suite of technology-driven platforms, such as its web-based trading portal, mobile app and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, a robo-advisory service designed to deliver automated investment advice with no advisory fee.
With a presence across the United States and international offices in key financial centers, Schwab serves individual investors, independent registered investment advisors and institutional clients. Its diversified distribution model, combining physical branch locations with robust online capabilities, allows the firm to cater to a broad range of client needs across retail and professional segments.