Schwab Advisor Services™ Recognizes Three Firms for Operational Excellence in Digital Tool Adoption and Operating Discipline

Advisors report continued progress in integrating technology solutions at regional SOLUTIONS^® workshops

Advisors are realizing the benefits of technology and workflows within their firms according to a survey of approximately 2,000 attendees at Schwab Advisor Services' annual SOLUTIONS^® events. Through these one-day workshops across the country, advisors learn how to enhance the client experience through technology use and operational efficiency and hear about Schwab's new digital tools that are designed to support them and their clients.

According to the survey respondents, automation is delivering important benefits, among them the increased ability to deliver responsive, timely client service (69%) and minimizing errors and improving consistency (61%).

Further, one in three advisors (34%) has standardized workflows and uses them efficiently and effectively. An additional 39% of advisors have implemented workflows but still need to consistently use or update them. That said, the majority (93%) report that having workflows has increased efficiencies within their firms.

"Technology is a driving force behind the sustainable growth of the independent advice industry. We are seeing independent firms realize the benefits technology can offer as they make strategic investments and thoughtfully implement the wide array of solutions available to them," said Andrew Salesky, senior vice president and head of digital advisor solutions, Charles Schwab.

Advisors have made significant progress in technology integration. Ninety-two percent of advisors say that integration is important, and 82% say they have made advances with integration to varying degrees: 21% report that they have made some inroads, but most systems are not integrated yet; 61% have made a lot of progress, but still have more to do; and 5% report that their systems are fully integrated.

Workflows, along with technology integration, digitization, and automation help advisory firms increase firm productivity and efficiency, enhance and modernize their client experience, and shield employees and clients from fraud. To recognize independent advisory firms that exemplify industry best practice in all of these areas, Schwab created the Operational Excellence Award.

This year's winning firms were recognized onstage at SOLUTIONS in three cities:

Schwab will make a donation to the Foundation for Financial Planning in each winning firm's name.

"We are thrilled to recognize these three firms for their savvy use of digital tools to evolve their business models and meet client expectations while growing their firms," said Jalina Kerr, senior vice president, integrated solutions, Schwab Advisor Services. "Integration and automation allow advisors to streamline routine tasks, minimize errors, and spend more time focusing on what matters most: counseling their clients. Our Operational Excellence Award winners demonstrate how best practices in these areas benefit clients and the firm itself. We are committed to helping all of our clients realize the benefits of technology adoption."

For more SOLUTIONS survey data, follow @Schwab4RIAs.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients' goals with passion and integrity. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Disclosures

Through its operating subsidiaries, The Charles Schwab Corporation SCHW 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 deposit and lending products. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.

Third-party firms and their employees are not affiliated with or an employee of Schwab.

©2018 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. ("Schwab") All rights reserved. Member SIPC. Schwab Advisor Services™ serves independent investment advisors and includes the custody, trading, and support of Schwab. Independent investment advisors are not owned by, affiliated with, or supervised by Schwab.

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