What's New: Digital Onboarding
Schwab Advisor Center® has digital tools and resources to help you onboard new relationships, support your clients, and scale your business. Below you can learn about the latest enhancements and resources, or explore recent updates by clicking on a topic.
Overview
Our digital onboarding capabilities on Schwab Advisor Center enable you to open, set up, and fund multiple accounts for a household in minutes—all with a single email from you to your client. It's the fastest and most secure way to open accounts at Schwab for both new and existing clients.
Using information from Schwab and third-party platforms, the completely digital workflow significantly reduces errors and delays by validating and securing the data and guiding you and your client through the account open process. With digital onboarding, you spend less time following up with clients while giving them a simpler, streamlined experience.
Explore the following resources to learn more about digital onboarding and scroll down to learn about the latest enhancements to the workflow.
Send ACH setup for multiple accounts for client approval in one digital envelope
Now you can use the existing ACH digital workflow to set up ACH profiles for multiple accounts in a single digital envelope. Previously, if clients wanted an ACH on each of their accounts, you had to send a different envelope for each authorization. With this enhancement, you can send one email to your client that will let them link an external account to as many as 10 Schwab accounts in a single approval process. And best of all, you don't have to re-enter the account information each time—the information you've already entered will be available via a drop-down menu.
Please note: For each account added, at least one Schwab account holder must be on the external account.
To use this new feature, set up the first ACH using the digital account management workflow. You'll see an option allowing you to add another account to the envelope. Use this link to add up to nine additional accounts, then send the envelope to your client to eAuthorize.
Note that if clients are required to upload bank documents for additional verification, the system will automatically apply that upload to all instructions in the envelope.
For details about this enhancement, as well as our other account management workflows, use our interactive guide.
April 2025 (0425-C089)
Update information for new clients without recalling a digital envelope
This enhancement makes it possible to correct details for new-to-Schwab clients—email address, phone numbers, and other information—after the digital onboarding envelope has been sent for client approval, without the need to recall and resend it.
To make changes, navigate to the Manage Schwab Envelopes page from the Account Management page; use the drop-down menu to select Edit client profile.
Previously, advisors had to cancel the envelope and resend it to update these details—meaning that any clients who had already approved would have to go through the process again. This was a top feature request for many firms and should improve efficiency, especially for firms that open many accounts.
Please note: Details for existing Schwab clients cannot be updated using this method.
February 2025 (0225-NFPV)
Now request checks and debit cards seamlessly with digital onboarding
As part of the digital onboarding workflow, you can now request checks and debit cards for clients—no paper forms, wet signatures, or service request submissions required.
Simply click the relevant checkboxes and answer a few security questions about monthly transaction volume, and the requested items will be sent automatically to your client's address of record.
This enhancement addresses even more of your clients' needs while also reducing possible errors and delays in delivering checks and debit cards that can result when submitting paper forms and signature cards.
November (1124-16WF)
Open charitable accounts with digital onboarding
You can now open charitable accounts for your clients using Schwab's digital onboarding workflow. These accounts will then be approved by clients and opened using the same fast, secure, efficient tools that make digital account open a great choice when opening most client accounts. The benefits of digital onboarding include:
- Using a guided workflow that auto-fills client information from Schwab and leading third-party platforms, saving time and reducing errors
- Funding the account without ever leaving the workflow
As always with digital onboarding, you will experience a workflow proven to reduce errors and speed the time it takes for processing and funding. Your clients can also quickly and securely approve the request on their desktop or mobile device, using eAuthorization.
October (1024-TDCX)
Open TAMP accounts with fast, secure digital onboarding
Firms that use turnkey asset management program (TAMP) providers can now open TAMP accounts using Schwab's digital onboarding workflow. This means both authorized agents from your firm as well as the authorized TAMP provider can use the same fast, secure, efficient tools you use to open and fund other Schwab accounts.
When opening TAMP accounts, the benefits of digital onboarding include:
- Using a guided workflow that auto-fills client information from Schwab and leading third-party platforms, saving time and reducing errors
- Funding the account without ever leaving the workflow
- Opening multiple accounts with a single digital envelope
- Managing the digital envelopes for account open together with the TAMP provider
Please note: Because the TAMP provider will not have access to your firm's master accounts, the system will not auto-fill client information. The TAMP provider's agents must manually enter the master account number associated with the TAMP SL in the digital workflow.
September (0924-NTAR)
Now send checks and debit cards seamlessly with digital onboarding
As part of the familiar digital onboarding workflow, you can now send checks and debit cards to clients with no paper forms, wet signatures, or service request submissions required.
Simply click the relevant checkboxes and answer a few security questions about monthly transaction volume, and the requested items will be sent automatically to your client's address of record.
This enhancement addresses even more of your clients' needs, while also reducing possible errors and delays in delivering checks and debit cards that can result when submitting paper forms and signature cards.
September (0924-NTAR)
Create custom document types and view client edits within digital onboarding
The latest upgrades to the digital onboarding workflow let you create and save custom document types for your firm's forms. You can also review your clients' edits to digital envelopes before submitting them to Schwab.
Save your firm's documents for easy use. Now you can create custom document types for your firm's forms, making it easy to add them to Schwab's digital envelopes when opening future accounts. Once they are saved, you can apply the documents to one or more master accounts, and they are automatically added to all future envelopes created under those master accounts.
From the Manage Schwab Envelopes page, choose the Saved Firm Documents link, select a category and a master account, then click Add new document type.
Review client edits before submitting digital envelopes to Schwab. Your clients may update or edit information in the envelope before signing electronically. A new indicator on the Manage Schwab Envelopes page shows that your client has made changes, so you can review them before you submit the envelope to Schwab. When you review the forms, client edits are automatically highlighted in blue, making to make it easy for you to see the changes. For comparison, you'll also see what was previously in those fields.
June (0624-518X)
Review your firm's documents before submitting signed digital envelopes to Schwab
Now you can download and review your firm's documents to ensure that they are in good order before submitting the digital envelope to Schwab. In addition, when you confirm receipt of these documents, you'll see your firm's logo at the top of the receipt, so it's easy to distinguish firm documents from Schwab forms at a glance.
Many firms add their own documents to digital onboarding envelopes before sending them to clients for approval. Previously, advisors could review their firm’s signed documents only after Schwab processed the account opening forms, which meant any client approval issues were noticed only after the account had been opened. With this enhancement, advisors can submit digital envelopes secure in the knowledge that they can review and confirm all firm-related paperwork before the account is opened.
May 2024 (0524-ZKVS)
Easily connect secondary link or block trade master accounts to accounts you open with digital onboarding
Many firms use secondary link (SL) or block trade (BT) master accounts to control employee access, link to third-party providers, or invest for clients via managed accounts. Now it is easier than ever to review and update these connections when opening new client accounts.
Based on the master account you select, the digital onboarding workflow automatically preselects the relevant SL or BT master accounts. You can then modify these selections as needed, helping streamline the process and reducing the need for follow-up.
April 2024 (0424-UY7P)
Open and fund Marketplace managed accounts digitally
You can now use digital onboarding to open and fund new accounts on Schwab's Managed Account Marketplace® ("Marketplace") platform, expanding the capabilities that brought Schwab's Managed Account Select® and Managed Account Access® platforms to digital onboarding earlier in 2023.
When opening managed accounts, you continue to enjoy the benefits of digital onboarding, including:
- Reduced errors from a typical rework rate of 33% for paper forms to less than 5% with the digital tool
- Faster processing
- Funding within the experience without ever leaving the workflow
Please note that only firms that have signed the Managed Account Addendum form can see Marketplace accounts as an option within the digital onboarding workflow. If you do not see these accounts when you open the digital onboarding tools, please contact your sales team to start the process. You can download the form from Schwab Advisor Center: Account Management > Forms Library > search for Managed Account Addendum Investment Manager Service Agreement.
For more information about how to use digital onboarding to open and fund new accounts on Schwab's Managed Account Marketplace platform, please consult page 28 in our interactive guide.
December 2023 (1223-305S)
Digital onboarding: See your clients' edits plus reduced ACH verification steps
We've continued to enhance our digital onboarding workflow with new features that make it easier to give your clients a great experience.
New notifications of your clients' edits
Now when a client makes changes to their personal information in a digital envelope during the approval process, you'll see clear notifications pointing out those changes as you review the envelope. And to make changes easier to identify, you'll also see a notification on the Manage Envelopes page next to any envelope in which a client has made a change.
Better verification experience for new ACH (Schwab MoneyLink®) transactions
We've enhanced our background security software, significantly reducing the number of accounts that require supplemental documentation when establishing a new ACH setup. In the small percentage of cases in which the system requires additional documents—an account statement or a check image—you can now provide those materials on the client's behalf so that they don't have to upload those additional documents when digitally approving. Please note: Uploading these documents is optional, and if you don't have them available, the system will prompt your client to provide them.
Reminder: Don't miss the chance to learn more about our digital onboarding workflow and other digital tools at the virtual SOLUTIONS event August 15-16.
Schwab registration > TD Ameritrade registration >
August 2023 (0823-3897)
Open and fund a Schwab Personalized Indexing account in one streamlined digital workflow
Digital onboarding is now available to open and fund new Schwab Personalized Indexing accounts on the Schwab Managed Account Access® platform. This direct indexing solution from Schwab Asset Management offers greater control over investments with lower minimums than the industry standard.
When onboarding a new account in a Schwab Personalized Indexing managed account strategy, you'll enjoy:
- Expanded exclusion capabilities managed through a digital maintenance workflow
- Advisor and client dashboards that make it easy to review account and tax details
As always with digital onboarding, you'll experience reduced errors, as well as faster processing and funding within the workflow. Your clients can also quickly and securely approve the request on a desktop or mobile device, using the eAuthorization feature.
Learn more:
July 2023 (0723-30FF)
For institutional use only—not for further distribution. This material may not be forwarded or made available, in whole or in part, to any party who is not a financial professional.
Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab").
Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.
Schwab Personalized Indexing™ is available through Schwab's Managed Account Connection® program; please read Schwab's disclosure brochure for important information and disclosures relating to it and to Schwab Managed Account Services™.
Portfolio Management for Schwab Personalized Indexing is provided by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., dba Schwab Asset Management, a registered investment adviser and an affiliate of Schwab. Both Schwab Asset Management and Schwab are separate entities and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation. Please refer to the Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., disclosure brochure for additional information.
Strategies that use screening to exclude certain investments may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as strategies that do not use screens. There can be no assurance that strategies will achieve their desired outcomes. Each investing strategy brings with it its own set of unique risks and benefits.
Neither the tax-loss harvesting strategy, nor any discussion herein is intended as tax advice, and Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. does not represent that any particular tax consequences will be obtained. Tax-loss harvesting involves certain risks including unintended tax implications. Investors should consult with their tax advisors and refer to Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") website at www.irs.gov about the consequences of tax-loss harvesting.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
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©2023 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC
Open and fund Select and Access managed accounts digitally—including Schwab Personalized Indexing
You can now use digital onboarding to open and fund new accounts on Schwab's Managed Account Select® ("Select") and Managed Account Access® ("Access") platforms. This is the same secure, efficient tool you rely on to open other account types.
When opening these accounts, you continue to enjoy the benefits of digital onboarding, including:
- Reduced errors from a typical re-work rate of 33% for paper forms to less than 5% with the digital tool
- Faster processing
- Funding within the experience without ever leaving the workflow
In addition, you can choose Schwab Personalized Indexing from Schwab Asset Management when opening a new Access account. Schwab Personalized Indexing, a customizable direct indexing offer, is now a fully digital experience for eligible account types, with new and expanded digital exclusion capabilities, along with dashboards to view account and tax details.
As always, with digital onboarding your clients can securely approve the request on their desktop or mobile device using eAuthorization.
Click below to learn more:
May 2023 (0523-3ZRY)
For institutional use only—not for further distribution. This material may not be forwarded or made available, in whole or in part, to any party who is not a financial professional.
Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab").
Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.
Schwab Personalized Indexing™ is available through Schwab's Managed Account Connection® program ("Connection"). Please read Schwab's disclosure brochure for important information and disclosures relating to Connection and Schwab Managed Account Services.
Portfolio Management for Schwab Personalized Indexing is provided by Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., dba Schwab Asset Management, a registered investment adviser and an affiliate of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Both Schwab Asset Management and Schwab are separate entities and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.
Please refer to the Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. disclosure brochure for additional information.
Strategies that use screening to exclude certain investments may not be able to take advantage of the same opportunities or market trends as strategies that do not use screens. There can be no assurance that the strategies will achieve their desired outcomes. Each investing strategy brings with it its own set of unique risks and benefits.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
3000 Schwab Way, Westlake, TX 76262
©2023 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Member SIPC
The new Action menu on the Profiles page makes it easy to perform key tasks
Now you can use new functionality to easily navigate to important pages and create easy-to-remember nicknames for your master and sub-accounts.
When you select a master or sub-account on the Profiles page, you can now click Action on the right side of the screen to access a menu allowing you to trade, move money, manage the account, and do portfolio analysis—all without navigating through other pages of the site.
One of the links on the Action menu allows you to create custom nicknames for your master and sub-accounts, making them easier to remember and look up. Your firm's security administrator controls which users have access to add or modify a nickname for each account.
We hope that these and future such quality-of-life improvements will make using Schwab Advisor Center to conduct business on behalf of your clients and firm even better.
November 2022 (1122-20T1)
Digital onboarding: one email sent, multiple accounts opened in minutes
The digital client onboarding feature you asked for is here: open multiple accounts for a household with a single, secure digital envelope. We know that the onboarding process can be complex, but you can streamline it with this latest digital onboarding update. The workflow is the fastest, most secure method for opening accounts at Schwab, allowing you to open multiple accounts for your clients and send each signer one email to approve all accounts.
You and your clients can navigate the account open process in minutes—all while the workflow validates your input data, significantly reducing errors and delays. With digital onboarding, you're giving your clients a simpler, more streamlined review and approval experience that gets the information right the first time.
Here's what you can do with digital onboarding:
- Open one or more accounts, tailor them to your client's needs, and easily fund them using options like Schwab MoneyLink or ACAT asset transfers—all in a single workflow—with one email from you to your client
- Save time and reduce errors using a guided workflow that auto-fills and validates client information from Schwab and leading third-party platforms
- Let clients add and edit their own information and documents that you don't have on hand, so you don't have to spend time chasing down details
Other features include:
- Support for the most common accounts (including Schwab One®, living trusts, inherited IRAs for individuals, and custodial accounts) and for 16 of the most common advisor documents
- Detailed status tracking and the ability to recall, edit, and resend envelopes
- Integrated enrollment in Schwab's advisor client portal, Schwab Alliance, enabling your clients to digitally approve requests and paving a path to a paper-free future
You can walk through your experience (and your clients') with this step-by-step guide. If you would like to see a live demo and ask questions, register for one of the weekly webcasts hosted by our experts.
July 2022 (0722-2BEM)
Newly expanded digital onboarding capabilities
Newly expanded digital onboarding capabilities
Digital onboarding: now save key firm documents to future digital envelopes automatically
A new enhancement is coming to the digital onboarding workflow that lets you upload and save your firm's frequently used documents (client welcome letter, advisory agreement, and the like) as defaults to be automatically applied to future digital envelopes.
From the Manage Schwab Envelopes link on the Forms and Applications page, click the new Saved Firm Documents link. Choose the master account, then upload the documents and save. Going forward those documents will be automatically added to all future digital client onboarding envelopes created for that master account. The documents can be edited within each individual envelope, if needed.
You can save up to 16 types of popular documents, including:
- Advisory agreement
- Form CRS
- Consent to invest
- Risk tolerance questionnaire
When you send a digital envelope to your clients, they may be asked to electronically sign or acknowledge receipt of certain documents such as regulatory disclosures. For others no signature or acknowledgment is required; your client can simply download, review, and keep the documents for their records.
This timesaving feature will be available to any firm that has access to the digital onboarding workflow and the required master account.
Look for further enhancements to the digital onboarding experience throughout the year, including the ability to easily view edits made by clients and to initiate the account open process for multiple accounts within a single digital envelope.
May 2022 (0522-2HNP)
For advisor use only. For general educational purposes.
Any investments reflected are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be nor should they be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or continue to hold any investment. Screen shots are for illustrative purposes only, may be historical in nature, and should not be used as a basis for any investment decision.
Schwab Advisor Services™ includes the custody, trading, and support services of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab"), a registered broker-dealer and member SIPC, and the technology products and services of Performance Technologies, Inc. ("PTI"). PTI and Schwab are separate companies affiliated as subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation, but their products and services are independent of each other. PTI's integration solutions integrate data about accounts custodied at Schwab.
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