When it comes to independent advisors, we're all in. No matter if you're just beginning your journey or you're well on your way, we pledge that you will get our very best.

This is our commitment to you and to every client we serve.

Industry-leading custody services, with no AUM minimums, no custody fees – and no intention to raise them

Because we believe that every firm of every size deserves world-class support.

Best-in-class technology and open architecture, including a rapidly growing network of third-party providers

We give you freedom to choose technology that fits the way you want to work.

The best and the brightest service professionals in this industry

With deep experience helping firms just like yours, and a commitment to seeing the world through your eyes.

In-depth practice management consulting and insights for every firm on our platform

From our industry-leading RIA Benchmarking Study to cybersecurity resources and more, we help you grow and stay on the leading edge.

An account opening process that is digital and streamlined

We're making conversion easy for you with a digital account opening process, so you can bring clients on board securely with just a few clicks.


We welcome your thoughts

See what other advisors like you are asking with frequently asked questions. Don't see the answer you need? Let's talk. Fill out this form and we'll be in touch.

 

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

It's true. Schwab does not charge custody fees or require minimum assets under management to be on our platform. Furthermore, we have no intention of raising fees on any advisors, small or large. We do not aim to change the economic relationship we have with advisors by instituting a different fee structure, unless advisors tell us they would like to do something differently.

Advisors with under $100 million in AUM have been important to Schwab Advisor Services since the very beginning. In fact, working with individual independent entrepreneurs is how we started out in this business. Below are examples of how we invest in technology and design experiences to support these and all advisors we serve, including:

  • Portfolio Connect, which is available to advisors at no additional cost
  • Introduction of a virtual practice management program designed to help advisors plan and prepare for the future and protect the trust they've built with clients
  • Targeted live-streaming events covering topics ranging from regulatory and legislative updates, thought leadership and cybersecurity

We view this segment of the RIA industry as the future of this industry.

Our Pledge lays out how Schwab supports advisors and what they can expect from us. It represents our unwavering commitment to advisors of all sizes and re-affirms our ongoing support to advisors at every stage of their journey.

 

We will fulfill our Pledge to advisors by continuing to do what we've always done – deliver service and support in a way that meets the unique needs of the advisors we serve. Schwab has a team of unmatched service professionals dedicated to custody, trading and operations support. Each and every one of us begins each day committed to helping advisors succeed.

We have 180+ tech platforms1 with direct integrations to our comprehensive digital platform, and we have plans to add more. Many of the largest 3rd party providers recognize us for having the most secure, high quality APIs, making it easy to build meaningful experiences for advisors. With over half of our advisors using these capabilities to work more seamlessly, we're committed to continuing to expand and deepen these capabilities to support the way you want to work.

 

Schwab was proud to announce in August 2020 our plan to adopt TD Ameritrade's thinkpipes® trading platform, iRebal® rebalancing platform, and Model Market CenterTM and we are actively working to integrate these into Schwab's technology stack. We plan to integrate these platforms and associated tools to create an experience for independent advisors that will thoughtfully combine the great capabilities, education and service clients enjoy at both firms. We'll continue to communicate as more decisions are made.

For now – it's business as usual. There will be no immediate changes, and you don't need to take any action. The custodial platform you're familiar with will continue to be supported as Schwab Advisor Services and TD Ameritrade Institutional work together to combine the strengths of our firms to bring you more than we ever could alone. We expect the transition to be between April and September 2023.

 

Until then, Schwab Advisor Services and TD Ameritrade Institutional will continue to operate as two separate custodians. You should continue to call your existing service team.

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  1. As of October 28, 2021

TD Ameritrade Institutional, Division of TD Ameritrade, Inc. and TD Ameritrade Clearing, Inc., members FINRA/SIPC, are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation. TD Ameritrade Holding Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation. TD Ameritrade is a trademark jointly owned by TD Ameritrade IP Company, Inc. and The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

This site is designed for U.S. residents. Non-U.S. residents are subject to country-specific restrictions. Learn more about our services for non-U.S. residents.

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