Activity in Charles Schwab's Online Trading Community Swells During Volatile Quarter

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charles Schwab today reported a surge of activity in its online community for active traders during the tumultuous second quarter. A record number of messages were posted to the community between April 2010 and June 2010 and overall activity jumped 35 percent from the previous quarter.

“Highest in Investor Satisfaction with Self-Directed Services”

“Clearly, our active trader clients see value in having a place where they can swap information, ideas and trading experiences with each other,” noted Kelli Keough, vice president of active trading. “Membership recently surpassed ten thousand and many view the trading community as a safe harbor during stormy seas.”

Launched in July, 2008, the Schwab Trading Community is an online social network where Schwab clients can participate in timely discussions on both short and long-term investing topics and gain access to Schwab and third party trading experts via blogs, tutorials and live webinars.

Roughly ten thousand traders are currently active community members. Some of the most popular discussions in the second quarter included:

• The outlook for the oil sector in light of the BP oil spill and challenges in the Gulf Region.
• The May “flash crash”.
• Auto sector woes following a series of Toyota recalls.
• Analysis of corporate earnings reports.
• Performance of and opportunities in foreign markets & currencies.
• Technical analysis & options commentary.

The Schwab Trading Community recently earned an “A” grade from Corporate Insight for its clean layout, popular topics and helpful contributors. Corporate Insight is a leader in competitive intelligence in the financial services industry and its e-Monitor analyzes and ranks the online customer experience at the major brokerage firms through personal interaction with each website. Community members can also attach files, links and videos to messages and sign up to receive email alerts of new posts within any category. The community is open to all Schwab active trader clients (defined as those who make at least 36 trades per year).

For More Information

Charles Schwab provides active traders with several trading platforms, free seminars and workshops, online education resources and 24-hour access to experienced trading specialists. For more information, please visit www.schwab.com/AT or call 888-245-6864.

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with more than 300 offices and 7.9 million client brokerage accounts, 1.5 million corporate retirement plan participants, 803,000 banking accounts, and $1.36 trillion in client assets. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Named "Highest in Investor Satisfaction with Self-Directed Services" by J.D. Power and Associates in 2009, its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC, www.sipc.org), and affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; referrals to independent fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and mortgage services and products. More information is available at www.schwab.com. (0710-4812)