MutualFundWire.com: Schwab Slashes Minimum Investment Requirement
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Tuesday, May 8, 2007

Schwab Slashes Minimum Investment Requirement


Charles Schwab Investment Management is making it even easier for investors to get access to its funds. In a move to compliment the new lowered account minimums announced in April, the company has lowered the minimum initial investment requirement for Schwab Funds to $100. The new minimum will be effective as of today.


Charles Schwab Investment Management, the asset management affiliate of Charles Schwab and Co., Inc., today announced it has lowered the minimum initial investment requirement for Schwab Funds(R) to $100 (1). Combined with Schwab's recently lowered account opening minimums, the new Schwab Funds minimums make it even easier for people to start investing for the future.

"This offers tremendous value to new investors who now have greater access to some of the best mutual funds in the industry for as little as $100," said Evelyn Dilsaver, president and CEO, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc.

The $100 minimum initial investment is effective immediately and applies to all investor shares of variable net asset value funds in the Schwab Funds family. Previously, the minimums typically ranged from $1,000 to $2,500 depending on the fund and account type. For more information about Schwab Funds, visit http://www.schwab.com/schwabfunds.

The new initial minimums for Schwab Funds complement Schwab's new lower account minimums. Effective April 1, the minimum to open nearly any type of account at Schwab is $1,000, and custodial account minimums are just $100. The $1,000 account minimum is waived entirely for individuals who make the commitment to deposit $100 or more each month via direct deposit or Schwab MoneyLink(R).

"All of these changes are part of our overall commitment to removing barriers that prevent newer investors from getting started saving and investing," said Jonathan Craig, vice president, Schwab Investor Services.

INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE MUTUAL FUND PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING INVESTMENT OBJECTIVES, RISKS, CHARGES AND EXPENSES. YOU CAN REQUEST A MUTUAL FUND PROSPECTUS BY CALLING SCHWAB AT 800-435-4000. PLEASE READ THE PROSPECTUS CAREFULLY BEFORE INVESTING.

About Charles Schwab Investment Management

Founded in 1989, Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc., (CSIM) is a subsidiary of the Charles Schwab Corporation and is one of the nation's largest asset management companies with $200.4 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2007. CSIM is among the country's largest money market fund managers and is the third-largest manager of retail index funds. CSIM is also known for its active equity funds that are designed to tap into Schwab's proprietary stock research methodology -- Schwab Equity Ratings(R) and its active bond funds such as the Schwab YieldPlus Fund(R). In addition to managing Schwab Funds, CSIM provides oversight for the institutional-style, sub-advised Laudus Funds family. CSIM currently manages 69 mutual funds, including 35 actively-managed funds, and five separate account strategies.

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NASDAQ:SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with more than 300 offices and 6.8 million client brokerage accounts, 1.1 million corporate retirement plan participants, 151,000 banking accounts, and $1.3 trillion in client assets. 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, http://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; referrals to independent fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through its Schwab Institutional division. Charles Schwab Bank, N.A. (member FDIC) provides banking and mortgage services and products. More information is available at http://www.schwab.com/. (0507-4763)

(1) Excludes Schwab Money Market Funds and Laudus Rosenberg Funds

First Call Analyst: FCMN Contact: alma.aseron@schwab.com

Source: Charles Schwab


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