Schwab Institutional Announces Opening of Submission Window for Impact Awards(R)

SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--
Continuing in its tradition of showcasing excellence among
independent advisors, Schwab Institutional today opened the submission
window for its third annual IMPACT Awards(R), an industry-wide awards
program that honors independent advisors and firms. SEC-registered
advisors who meet the eligibility guidelines are encouraged to
participate - regardless of their custodial relationships. Submissions
will be accepted April 16 through June 13, 2008 at
impactawards.schwab.com.

"The IMPACT Awards recognize leaders and innovators in one of the
fastest growing segments of financial services," said Charles Goldman,
executive vice president of Schwab Institutional. "It is always
inspiring to celebrate examples of the visionary leadership driving
the evolution and growth of the independent advisor industry."

Accounting and consulting firm Moss Adams LLP will score all
entries and select the finalists. A distinguished panel of judges from
across the business world and financial services industry will select
the winners in each of four IMPACT Awards categories with final
approval by Schwab Institutional:

-- The Charles R. Schwab IMPACT Award(R) will honor an individual
trailblazer whose sustained vision, outstanding leadership,
client commitment and community engagement clearly demonstrate
the value of independent investment advice.

-- The Best-in-Business Award will be presented to an independent
investment advisory firm for excellence in business management
and client services.

-- The Best-in-Tech Award will honor an independent investment
advisory firm that serves as a model for success in harnessing
technology to extend the reach, responsiveness and growth of
its business.

-- The Pacesetter Award will recognize an independent investment
advisory firm in business for 10 years or less that has
realized accelerated growth through strategic management,
innovative practices, and ongoing investments in business
capabilities.

The IMPACT Awards will be presented at a ceremony at IMPACT(R)
2008, which will be held September 23 to 26, 2008 in Atlanta, Ga. For
the Charles R. Schwab IMPACT Award, Schwab Institutional will make a
donation of $25,000 to an eligible charitable organization of the
winner's choice. For the Best-in-Business, Best-in-Tech, and
Pacesetter Awards, a donation of $10,000 will be made to an eligible
charity of each winning firm's choice.

Eligibility

SEC-registered independent investment advisory firms with
primarily fee-based practices and at least $25 million in assets under
management are eligible. To be considered for the Best-in-Business,
Best-in-Tech and Pacesetter Awards, a firm must currently have a
minimum of 75 percent of revenue from fees and at least 75 percent of
its total client base as individual investors - or manage at least
$100 million on behalf of individual investors. For the
Best-in-Business Award, a firm must have been in business for at least
10 years. For the Best-in-Tech Award, a firm must have been in
business for at least five years. For the Pacesetter Award, a firm
must have been in business for 10 years or less.

Individuals considered for the Charles R. Schwab IMPACT Award must
have at least 10 years of personal experience managing investments in
securities as an independent investment advisor, providing investment
advice to individual investors as an officer or employee of a
Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Individuals must also serve as a
principal or founder of an independent investment advisory firm that
meets the eligibility criteria noted for the other three awards.

How to Participate

Candidates for the Charles R. Schwab IMPACT Award will be
identified only through peer nominations; self-nominations will not be
considered. For the Best-in-Business, Best-in-Tech, and Pacesetter
Awards, firms must submit entries on their own behalf; firms cannot
submit other firms for consideration. There is a limit of one
nomination per award category.

For the Best-in-Business and Pacesetter Awards, firms must
demonstrate measurable success in areas such as business strategy,
practice management and employee development, and client loyalty. For
the Best-in-Tech Award, firms must display success in technology
strategy, operational efficiencies and client servicing. Charles R.
Schwab IMPACT Award candidates will be considered for their
leadership, business management, community engagement and other career
distinctions.

There is no cost to participate in the IMPACT Awards program.

About the IMPACT Awards

Independent investment advisors have fundamentally changed the
financial services landscape by providing independent advice to
affluent investors. Now in its third year, the IMPACT Awards recognize
these contributions by honoring advisors and firms that have advanced
the industry through their visionary leadership, operational
excellence and technology innovation. The IMPACT Awards are judged by
a panel of recognized experts and presented at IMPACT, one of the
industry's leading conferences. For more information, visit
impactawards.schwab.com.

About Schwab Institutional

Schwab Institutional is a leading provider of custodial,
operational and trading support for independent fee-based investment
advisors. Since 1987, Schwab Institutional has supported independent
investment advisors by offering support and services to help grow
their businesses and help their clients reach their financial goals.
As of March 31, 2008, client assets custodied with Schwab
Institutional stood at $569.7 billion. These assets, managed by the
approximately 5,500 independent advisor firms Schwab Institutional
currently serves, represent approximately one-third of total client
assets custodied with The Charles Schwab Corporation. Schwab
Institutional is a division of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (Nasdaq:SCHW) is a leading provider
of financial services, with more than 300 offices and 7.2 million
client brokerage accounts, 1.3 million corporate retirement plan
participants, 318,000 banking accounts, and $1.4 trillion in client
assets as of March 31, 2008. 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. The
Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC) provides banking and mortgage
services and products. More information is available at
www.schwab.com. (0408-0581)

Charles Schwab
Michael Cianfrocca, 415-667-3252
michael.cianfrocca@schwab.com
or
Makovsky + Company
Gauri Mundkur, 212-508-9606
gmundkur@makovsky.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008