Charles Schwab started out as First Commander Corporation in 1971, but changed the name to Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. in 1973. Over time, it has grown tremendously. With over 13,200 full-time employees and a total of $1.66 trillion in assets, no wonder why it is one of the nation’s largest brokerage firms available. Schwab Bank is a leader in financial services and continues to do after nearly 4 decades.

They have a unique way of advertising and use their award-winning Talk to ChuckTM campaign, which gives investors help and guidance along their investment journey. Schwab Bank is easily recognizable and many PGA Tour players are being sponsored by the financial institution. They offer unique advice to each client and their main purpose is to help them understand their investment and financial options.

Review: Charles Schwab’s Services

Schwab Bank has many different investing options available to its clients. Some of the investment products include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and annuities. They also carry banking and lending accounts such as mortgages, checking accounts and savings account.

Mutual funds: With their mutual funds, you are given access to thousands of no fee mutual funds through their Mutual Fund OneSource®. Schwab Bank is a leader in no-load, no-transaction-fee mutual funds and provides a list of prescreened funds and sample portfolios to help you build a income generating portfolio.

Exchange-traded funds: Get more with Schwab Bank’s ETFs. They offer low expense ratios and $0.00 online trade commissions when you already have an existing Schwab account. For any third day ETF, then enjoy a low $8.95 online trade commission. You are given up to 6 months of commission-free trades when a new account is open.

Checking account: Schwab Bank offers a High Yield Investor Checking account that earns a reasonable 0.20 percent variable APY. There are no ATM fees associated with this account, account minimums or monthly service fees. Schwab bank will actually reimburse any fees charged by other bank’s ATMs*.

It is extremely beneficial for you to buy a CD from Schwab Bank. They offer more choices of high-yielding CDs, convenience, FDIC Insurance and greater simplicity. Their CDs are the perfect option when you need to lock-in a great rate or need a predictable payout.

Schwab Bank offers CD OneSource™ and it is basically a marketplace for CDs from FDIC-insured banks across the country.

Sample of highest CD rates through CD OneSource – as of 8/27/11

  • 1-3 Months – 0.20% APY
  • 4-6 Months – 0.25% APY
  • 7-9 Months – 0.30% APY
  • 10-18 Months – 0.40% APY
  • 1.5-2.5 Years – 0.80% APY

Schwab Bank offers clients a FDIC-insured High Yield Investor Savings account that offers a competitive rate. There are no account minimums or monthly service fees. You are given easy access to your savings account and can transfer money to and from it. Unlimited withdrawals and transfers at any ATM are available with the High Yield Investor Savings account and you are allowed up to six debit transactions from your account per statement cycle.

Schwab Bank will reimburse you if you are charged any ATM fees and they allow you to easily manage your finances with their mobile applications on the iPhone® and Android™.

Schwab Bank offer purchased money market fund yields. They are designed for short-term needs and a convenient way to product income quickly. Purchased money market fund yields offer greater liquidity than CDs and typically provide higher yields than sweep money market funds. You are given next-business-day access to your money if the funds are sold by 4 P.M. EST. It offers low initial investments with some starting at $2,500.00 and a choice of funds that are taxable or tax-exempt.

Charles Schwab: Taxable Purchased Money Market Funds – as of 8/26/11

  • Schwab Investor Money Fund™ – $2,500.00 Initial & Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current 7-Day Yield – 0.62% OER
  • Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund® – Investor Shares – $25,000.00/$15,000.00 IRAInitial & $20,000.00/$15,000.00 IRA Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.015 Current 7-Day Yield – 0.45% OER

Charles Schwab: Tax-Exempt Purchased Money Market Funds – as of 8/26/11

  • Schwab Municipal Money Fund™ – Value Advantage Shares™
  • Schwab AMT Tax-Free Money Fund™ – Value Advantage Shares™
  • Schwab CA Municipal Money Fund™ – Value Advantage Shares™
  • Schwab CA AMT Tax-Free Money Fund™ – Value Advantage Shares™
  • Schwab NY AMT Tax-Free Money Fund™ – Value Advantage Shares™
    • All Accounts: $25,000.00/$15,000.00 IRA Initial & $20,000.00/$15,000.00 IRA Minimum Balance
    • All Accounts: 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current 7-Day Yield – 0.45% OER – 0.02% Taxable Equivalent Yield

Charles Schwab: Higher Yielding/Higher Minimum Purchased Money Market Funds – as of 8/26/11

  • Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund® – Institutional Prime Shares™ – $10,000,000.00 Initial & Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current Yield With Waiver – -0.13% Current Yield Without Waiver – 0.21% OER
  • Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund® – Institutional Shares – $3,000,000.00 Initial & Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current Yield With Waiver – -0.12% Current Yield Without Waiver – 0.24% OER
  • Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund® – Select Shares – $1,000,000.00 Initial & Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current Yield With Waiver – -0.15% Current Yield Without Waiver – 0.35% OER
  • Schwab Municipal Money Fund™ – Institutional Shares – $3,000,000.00 Initial & Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current Yield With Waiver – -0.30% Current Yield Without Waiver – 0.24% OER – 0.02% Taxable Equivalent Yield
  • Schwab Municipal Money Fund™ – Select Shares – $1,000,000.00 Initial & Minimum Balance
    • 0.01% Effective Yield – 0.01% Current Yield With Waiver – -0.20% Current Yield Without Waiver – 0.25% OER – 0.02% Taxable Equivalent Yield

Charles Schwab Bank stands proudly behind their mortgage products. They want to simplify the process and with their low mortgage rates and personalized service, they will make the home buying process easier. They offer mortgage calculators on their website and even mortgage education, so that you can become familiar with technical terms and the overall process of applying for a mortgage. If you need an instant quote, then they have the available means to provide you with an instant quote with their rate quote tool. Schwab Bank also has an easy-to-understand loan application available on their website or you can call 1-877-535-4021 to speak with a Loan Consultant.

Charles Schwab: Conforming Loans – up to $417,000.00 – as of 8/26/11

Adjustable Rate Mortgage with Initial Fixed Rate

  • 3/1 ARM – 3.375% Interest Rate – 3.128% APR – $1,105.24 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 3/1 ARM Interest Only – 3.458% Interest Rate – 3.125% APR – $720.42 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 5/1 ARM – 3.000% Interest Rate – 3.045% APR – $1,054.01 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 5/1 ARM Interest Only – 3.083% Interest Rate – 3.063% APR – $642.29 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 7/1 ARM – 3.250% Interest Rate – 3.166% APR – $1,088.02 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 7/1 ARM Interest Only – 3.333% Interest Rate – 3.177% APR – $694.38 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 10/1 ARM – 3.680% Interest Rate – 3.467% APR – $1,147.88 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 10/1 ARM Interest Only – 4.000% Interest Rate – 3.623% APR – $833.33 Initial Monthly Payment

Fixed Rate Mortgage

  • 30 Yr Fixed – 4.410% Interest Rate – 4.463% APR – $1,253.38 Monthly Payment
  • 25 Yr Fixed – 4.410% Interest Rate – 4.471% APR – $1,376.84 Monthly Payment
  • 20 Yr Fixed – 4.060% Interest Rate – 4.131% APR – $1,522.87 Monthly Payment
  • 15 Yr Fixed – 3.625% Interest Rate – 3.712% APR – $1,802.59 Monthly Payment
  • 10 Yr Fixed – 3.470% Interest Rate – 3.595% APR – $2,468.63 Monthly Payment

Charles Schwab: Jumbo Loans – Over $417,000.00 – as of 8/26/11

Adjustable Rate Mortgage with Initial Fixed Rate

  • 3/1 ARM – 4.500% Interest Rate – 3.36% APR – $3,242.79 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 3/1 ARM Interest Only – 4.583% Interest Rate – 3.332% APR – $2,444.27 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 5/1 ARM – 3.250% Interest Rate – 3.127% APR – $2,785.32 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 5/1 ARM Interest Only – 3.333% Interest Rate – 3.126% APR – $1,777.60 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 7/1 ARM – 3.625% Interest Rate – 3.325% APR – $2,918.73 Initial Monthly Payment
  • 7/1 ARM Interest Only – 3.708% Interest Rate – 3.323% APR – $1,977.60 Initial Monthly Payment
  • Fixed Rate Mortgage
  • 30 Yr Fixed – 5.000% Interest Rate – 0.250 Points – 5.060% APR – $3,435.66 Monthly Payment
  • 20 Yr Fixed – 5.046% Interest Rate – 5.098% APR – $4,240.00 Monthly Payment
  • 15 Yr Fixed – 4.000% Interest Rate – 4.058% APR – $4,734.00 Monthly Payment