Thirty-three percent of independent advisors in a 2011 Charles Schwab study said that attracting and retaining clients was one of the potential challenges of joining or starting an independent registered investment advisor (RIA) firm. But according to Tim Oden, senior managing director of business development for Schwab Advisor Services, it doesn’t have to be. Tim says that when it comes to your clients, there’s a right time, place, and way to communicate that you’re moving to the RIA model...(Read More)
New Schwab Videos: Take One!
Posted by Mike CianfroccaAs part of our effort to share insights about investing, the markets and economy, we are going to start posting brief videos on Schwab’s YouTube page with our experts discussing a variety of timely topics...(Read More)
In a press release last week we shared some new data and insights about how our clients are feeling about the markets and investing and what they are doing about getting advice.* Here are some of the highlights:
• Just 26% feel better off financially than they did one year ago, down from 44% who said they felt better off in Q4 2010.
• Only one-third (33%) now say they feel confident in their ability to make investment decisions.
• Seventy-seven percent say they’re most confident when receiving ongoing or periodic professional investment advice.
We know it continues to be a challenging time for investors. And while Schwab is still often thought of as a “discount” brokerage for mostly self-directed investors, the fact is that we have a wide range of services and products for people looking for professional advice. With that in mind, here are three things you may not know about investment advice at Schwab...(Read More)
So far this week, Jim McCool has talked about the past and present state of 401(k) retirement plans. In this final installment of his Q&A, he focuses on the future...
401(k) Plans: The Current State
Posted by Susan FormanOn Monday, Jim McCool talked about the history and evolution of the 401(k) plan. Today, Schwab’s Executive Vice President of Institutional Services turns his attention to the current system and how it can be improved...
Gone Phishing
Posted by Sarah BulgatzFrom time to time, we get reports of people receiving phishing emails masquerading as communications from Schwab, asking the recipient to click on a link or respond by providing or verifying personal information. The term “phishing” refers to fraudsters “fishing for information,” trying to lure people to divulge personal data that can later be used for a crime.
The good news is that people are generally becoming much more wary about attempts like this, although occasionally some of us have made the mistake of acting before thinking and clicking on a questionable link… In that spirit, I thought it would be useful to spend a little time with Schwab’s chief information security officer, Andy Caspersen, to get his perspective and tips on avoiding phishing scams and being safe online.
SB: How can people recognize a phish and what should they do when they get one?....(Read More)
For Jim McCool, Executive Vice President of Institutional Services at Charles Schwab, the 401(k) plan is more than a way to save for retirement; it’s been his life’s work.
Over the past 27 years, Jim has seen the 401(k) evolve into the major source for millions of Americans’ retirement savings. Now, he’s actively driving for the next big evolution in 401(k) plans – combining index funds with low operating expenses with independent, professional advice.
Recently, I sat down with Jim to talk about the 401(k) plan – past, present and future. Over the next few days, the Schwab Talk blog will feature excerpts from our conversation as Schwab launches an exciting new 401(k) offer – Schwab Index Advantage™. More importantly...
We often get asked how our clients are feeling about specific market events, and how they are responding to market activity in general. For a window into the current state of mind of Schwab clients, last month we talked to a good number of our branch managers – 137 financial pros who are responsible for managing nearly 300 branches across the country – using a short survey that posed a few key questions. Here’s a look at what we asked them, and what they told us...(Read More)
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