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The numbers tell a one-of-a-kind story. Only Schwab has been in the trenches with independent financial advisors for over 30 years. We have been a tireless advocate for the independent model and have committed thousands of people and millions in resources to make sure independent advisors of all sizes have everything they need to grow and succeed.
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What do you need to grow and succeed? Whatever your vision, we can help bring it into focus.
Nearly 50
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The RIA Roadmap.
Complete this form, and the guide is yours to download.
This form helps us connect with the right people to answer your questions about transitioning to an independent advisor.
We’re proud to be a part of the fastest-growing segment of the financial services industry.
Thirty years ago, Schwab supported a small group of entrepreneurial advisors who challenged the industry with a fundamental belief: Independence is a better way. Today, our entire business is built to fuel the independent spirit of advisors., from your first steps toward establishing an independent firm through your tireless efforts to put clients first. We’re always looking out for what’s next and innovating on advisors’ behalf.
Investment Advisor Association formed, followed by the Investment Advisors Act three years later
3,500 investment advisors
Charles Schwab launches, bringing Wall Street to Main Street.
Congress enacts ERISA; IRA introduced
Schwab is the first to offer 24/7 order entry and quote service.
Schwab introduces Mutual Fund MarketPlace® with 140 no-load funds. The company launches SchwabQuotes® and introduces The Equalizer®, a DOS-based technology solution that points the way toward an online future.
Schwab officially launches Schwab Financial Advisor Service, with a trading desk exclusively for advisors.
Schwab introduces Account Access Link (later becoming SchwabLink), a platform offering a wider range of online network services to advisors.
Schwab launches the annual IMPACT conference, bringing together and highlighting independent advisor firms from across the country. To this day, it’s the largest conference for registered independent advisors of its kind. In 2007, Schwab announced the winners of the first IMPACT Awards™.
12,000 investment advisors
- Advisor Services launches web-trading platform with alerts.
- Schwab Charitable launches (as “Fund for Charitable Giving”).
Schwab launches the annual RIA Benchmarking Study, allowing participating independent advisor firms to gain key insights on their business metrics and performance relative to their peers. Over 1,000 firms participate each year in this industry-leading study.
- Dodd-Frank Act
- 16,000 investment advisors
Schwab launches a multiyear, multimillion-dollar ad campaign educating investors about independent advisors and the fiduciary standard. In 2013, a directory is added to help investors find independent advisors near them.
- Schwab transforms the way advisors do business on our platform with eSignature, eAuthorization, and mobile.
- Executive Leadership Program launches – the first MBA-caliber program for the next generation of RIA firm leaders.
Schwab launches Cybersecurity Resource Program.
30-year anniversary serving advisors.
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1. As of Q2 2018.
2. As of May 2018.
3. As of May 2018
4. As of July 2016.
5. Schwab Corporate Strategy estimates based on industry data sources. Single custodian RIAs only.
6. As of February 2017.
7. As of Q2 2018.
8. Certain exclusions apply. See the Charles Schwab Pricing Guide For Clients of Independent Investment Advisors for pricing details.