Charles Schwab Unveils National Investing Day to Educate and Empower Individual Investors

Charles Schwab today announced the launch of the inaugural National Investing Day, an investor education and empowerment initiative encouraging people to dedicate at least one day in the year to explore how they can get invested and stay invested for a strong financial future.

Taking place each year on May 1, National Investing Day aims to raise awareness about the power of long-term investing, providing accessible tools and resources for individuals at every stage of their financial journey.

"At Schwab we believe that investing is a purposeful act of optimism," said Rick Wurster, president and chief executive officer at Charles Schwab. "Our goal in launching National Investing Day is to inspire more people to learn about investing and see themselves as investors through all market cycles."

Inspired by Founder and Co-Chairman, Charles (Chuck) Schwab, National Investing Day coincides with the 50^th anniversary of May 1, 1975, the day the Securities and Exchange Commission eliminated fixed commission rates -- a watershed moment in financial services that came to be known as May Day. As traditional wire house firms chose to raise commission fees, Chuck Schwab lowered them to strengthen competition in the industry and help expand access to investing.

Fifty years later, nearly 60% of Americans are investing.¹ Yet, many do not identify as investors, illustrating a disconnect between financial behavior and self-perception.² Lack of education about investing continues to be a challenge, with half of respondents who are not confident in their investing revealing they were not taught about investing by their parents or in school, according to the Schwab Modern Wealth Survey. Only 36% of Americans have a written financial plan.

The Next 50 Years of Investing

To mark National Investing Day and inspire more young people to learn about investing, the Charles Schwab Foundation and Charles R. Schwab Foundation for Financial Freedom will collectively provide $1 million to SIFMA Foundation to help expand the reach of its acclaimed Stock Market Game™ and educational programming to one million students by 2027.

For decades, Charles Schwab Foundation has supported leading nonprofits in the pursuit of advancing financial literacy for all. Since 2017, the Foundation has provided more than $3 million to support SIFMA's Capitol Hill Challenge, a national financial education and simulated investing competition for public middle and high schools across every state—giving them hands-on exposure to the world of investing.

"Fifty years ago, Chuck's vision was to open up access to investing for millions more Americans. In that same spirit, National Investing Day is for everyone – whether you are just starting out or a seasoned investor," said Wurster. "It's our mission to help individuals, advisors and employers who serve them, navigate all market cycles and take ownership of their financial futures. We believe in the power of getting invested and staying invested and invite others across our industry to join in National Investing Day, so this will grow into a movement for the investor in us all."

What should you do on National Investing Day?

National Investing Day is about education and empowerment. Here are ways to participate:

New investors or investor education:

• Engage with Schwab's free financial education content.
• If you are an educator, learn about Invest it Forward, which connects volunteer financial professionals with teachers
• Talk with friends or family members to learn from each other about investing.
• Create a financial plan—all Schwab accounts include one.
• Contribute to your 401k plan. Take advantage of your employer's match if it's available.
• Once you have a plan, consider making an investment or executing your first trade.

Moderately experienced investors:

• Schedule a check-in with your financial consultant or advisor.
• Commit to learning more about new-to-you strategies.
• Consider how Schwab's proven investing principles can help guide you throughout market cycles.

Seasoned investors:

• Pay it forward by introducing kids to the principles of investing with age-appropriate resources.
• Remind older parents or family members to regularly check their accounts.
• Create or join a forum or investing club in your community.

Get involved, find out more about National Investing Day and how you can participate, at www.schwab.com/.

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with 37.0 million active brokerage accounts, 5.5 million workplace plan participant accounts, 2.1 million banking accounts, and $9.93 trillion in client assets. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, 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 its 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 Schwab Advisor Services. Its primary banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank, SSB (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com.

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Media Contact:

Addis Aklilu

Charles Schwab

(929) 545-1700

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