Bloomberg Businessweek Schwab Trading Volume Swells to End Strong Year for Markets
Jan 22, 2026
Rick Wurster, President and CEO of The Charles Schwab Corporation, shares insights on a record-breaking quarter with a 31% surge in daily trading volume as retail investors capitalize on a strong stock market. He discusses clients' trend towards consolidating financial services at Schwab and the potential of prediction markets, distinguishing them from gambling. Rick also highlights 2025 innovations including 24x5 trading and mobile improvements, while addressing the impact of geopolitical noise on market stability and offering an optimistic outlook for the future.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Clients Favor One-Stop Financial Convenience
- Charles Schwab saw clients consolidating more of their financial lives with one firm, boosting satisfaction and revenue.
- Rick Wurster says convenience drives clients to use investing, trading, banking, lending and wealth services together.
Record Quarter And Big Asset Inflows
- Schwab delivered a record quarter with earnings up 50% year over year and strong asset inflows.
- The firm reported $519 billion in net new client assets for the year and a record $163 billion in Q4.
Prioritize Useful Innovations Over Gambling
- Avoid equating prediction markets with useful portfolio tools when they primarily serve sports gambling.
- Rick Wurster advises firms to focus on innovations that genuinely improve clients' financial outcomes, not gambling features.
