Schwab ETFs(tm) Achieve New Milestone: $10 Billion in Assets Under Management

Investors searching for core, low-cost exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to use as the building blocks of their portfolios helped push Schwab ETFs to a new milestone: the suite of 15 equity and fixed income ETFs reached $10.02 billion in assets under management as of February 8, 2013. Charles Schwab Investment Management (CSIM) reached this threshold just slightly more than three years after launching its first proprietary ETFs in November 2009.

Marie A. Chandoha, President and Chief Executive Officer of Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. (Photo: Business Wire)

“I want to thank investors for choosing Schwab ETFs as the right place for their hard-earned assets,” said Marie Chandoha, president of CSIM. “For Schwab ETFs, what matters most is that we continue evolving to meet client demand for quality ETFs in key asset classes at an incredible value. And, we think that crossing the $10 billion mark in such a short period of time is just the beginning.”

When Schwab debuted its first ETFs in 2009, the company broke new ground by offering them to clients commission-free online¹. In September 2012, Schwab made investing in ETFs more affordable for clients again by slashing expense ratios on all Schwab ETFs – they each have the lowest operating expense ratios in their respective Lipper categories².

Schwab’s 15 proprietary ETFs continue to be available commission-free online, and are part of the new $0 commission Schwab ETF OneSource™ featuring 105 ETFs from leading providers in major asset classes¹. CSIM’s suite of ETFs spans the major asset classes, providing retail investors with the core building blocks of an investment portfolio. Eight of the funds now have a three-year track record, none have paid capital gains distributions to date, and all have competitive tracking errors. Three Schwab ETFs have over $1 billion in assets under management, including the Schwab Broad Market ETF (SCHB), Schwab International Equity ETF (SCHF) and Schwab U.S. Large-Cap ETF (SCHX). The Schwab Emerging Markets Equity ETF (SCHE) has $871 million in assets as of February 8, 2013.

Schwab ETFs

Schwab is an industry leader in serving ETF investors, with $152 billion in client ETF assets as of 12/31/12. The company offers a host of resources to help clients understand and choose ETFs that fit their investment needs, including the Schwab ETF Select List™; tutorials, research and tools available via Schwab’s online ETF center; workshops at local Schwab branches; and the Schwab ETF Education Exchange™, a new website aggregating educational content and market insights from ETF industry leaders.

About Charles Schwab Investment Management

Founded in 1989, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM), a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation, is one of the nation's largest asset management companies with $219.3 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2012. It is among the country's largest money market fund managers and is the third-largest provider of retail index funds³. In addition to managing Schwab’s proprietary funds, CSIM provides oversight for the institutional-style, sub-advised Laudus Fund family. CSIM currently manages 76 mutual funds in addition to two separate account model portfolios, and 15 ETFs.

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with more than 300 offices and 8.8 million active brokerage accounts, 1.6 million corporate retirement plan participants, 874,000 banking accounts, and $2.01 trillion in client assets as of January 31, 2013. The Company was ranked ‘Highest in Investor Satisfaction With Self-Directed Services’ in the 2012 US Self-Directed Investor Satisfaction StudySM from J.D Power and Associates. 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. 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; compliance and trade monitoring solutions; 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 lending services and products. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.

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¹ Conditions Apply: Trades in ETFs available through Schwab ETF OneSource™ (including Schwab ETFs™) are available without commissions when placed online in a Schwab account. Service charges apply for trade orders placed through a broker ($25) or by automated phone ($5). An exchange processing fee applies to sell transactions. Certain types of Schwab ETF OneSource transactions are not eligible for the commission waiver, such as short sells and buys to cover (not including Schwab ETFs). Schwab reserves the right to change the ETFs we make available without commissions. All ETFs are subject to management fees and expenses. Please see pricing guide for additional information.

² This claim is based on expense ratio data comparisons between Schwab and non-Schwab ETFs in their respective Lipper categories. Expense ratio data was obtained from Strategic Insight Simfund as of 12/31/12. ETFs in the same Lipper category may track different indexes, have differences in holdings, and show different performance. Competitors may offer more than one ETF in a Lipper category. Expense ratios are subject to change. Information has been sourced from Lipper, a Thomson Reuters Company ("Lipper Content"). All such information is protected by copyright: ©2012 THOMSON REUTERS. All rights reserved.

³ Strategic Insight, November 2012

Investors in ETFs should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses. You can request a prospectus by calling Schwab at 1-800-435-4000 or by visiting www.schwab.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

Investment returns will fluctuate and are subject to market volatility, so that an investor’s shares, when redeemed or sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Unlike mutual funds, shares of ETFs are not individually redeemable directly with the ETF. Shares are bought and sold at market price, which may be higher or lower than the net asset value (NAV).

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. receives remuneration from third-party ETF companies participating in Schwab ETF OneSource™ for record keeping, shareholder services and other administrative services, including program development and maintenance.

Although Schwab ETFs have not paid capital gains distributions in the past, there can be no assurance that this will continue into the future.

Schwab ETFs™ are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO). SIDCO is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation or any of its affiliates.

The ETF Education Exchange website ("the site") is for informational purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation to purchase or sell any particular security or pursue a particular investment strategy. The types of securities or strategies mentioned herein may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment for his or her own particular situation. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market conditions.

©2013 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized access is prohibited. Usage will be monitored.

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