Schwab Introduces Advanced Options Trading Tools

Continues Schwab`s Tradition of Making Market Information More Accessible,
Helping Traders Make Better Decisions in Times of Market Volatility
SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--
Charles Schwab today announced improved options trading capabilities for active
traders with several key upgrades to its trading platforms. The firm`s clients
will now have enhanced charting and screening tools, reflecting Schwab`s
tradition of making market information more actionable, helping traders make
better decisions in times of market volatility. These new features include:

* Several New Charting Studies are being added to its trading platforms to
provide more comprehensive options-specific technical data (Implied Volatility &
Put/Call Ratio) to help traders identify trends and make better informed trading
decisions.
* New Options Screening Capabilities are being added to the existing
Customizable Options Screener including covered call, delta, and implied
volatility screening.
* New Historical Option Price Charts and Strategy Profit/Loss Charts are being
added to help traders evaluate price trends as well as the potential profit or
loss on new option trades.
* Multi-leg Trading Enhancements provide advanced traders with an improved
trading experience on their multi-leg orders including, No Bid and Good Till
Canceled multi-leg orders. These enhancements will make it easier for clients
placing these trades.

A recent Schwab survey of more than 600 active traders found that 44 percent of
respondents trade options regularly. "We continue to see growth in options
trading as active traders seek new tactics to help manage risk and generate
income during high levels of volatility," said Kelli Keough, vice president of
Schwab`s Active Trading Services. "These new enhancements come at a critical
time and will help our clients execute sophisticated trading strategies, even in
complex market conditions. As such, they will make important market information
more actionable to help investors meet their financial objectives."

Schwab offers a library of online webinars, live webcasts and in-person
workshops at http://www.schwabat.com/education/overview.aspx to help active
traders learn more about the new features and enhancements to its trading
platforms.

For more information about the active trading services at Charles Schwab, please
visit http://www.schwabat.com. Schwab Active Trader clients wanting help
integrating these new tools into their trading strategy should contact a Schwab
representative.

About Charles Schwab

The Charles Schwab Corporation (Nasdaq:SCHW) is a leading provider of financial
services. 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., is a member of SIPC
(http://www.sipc.org). The Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC) provides banking
and mortgage services and products. More information is available at
www.schwab.com.

Supporting documentation for any claims and statistical information is available
upon request.

Options carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors.
Certain requirements must be met to trade options through Schwab. Multiple leg
options strategies will involve multiple commissions. Please read the Options
Disclosure Document titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options"
before considering any option transaction. Call your local Schwab office or
write Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
for a current copy.

Schwab's StreetSmart Pro and StreetSmart.com are available for Schwab Active
Trading clients. Access to NASDAQ Level II quotes is provided for free to
non-professional clients who have made 120 or more equity and options trades in
the last 12 months, 30 or more equity and options trades in either the current
or previous quarters or maintain $1 million or more in household balances at
Schwab. Schwab Active Trading clients who do not meet these requirements can
subscribe to NASDAQ Level II quotes for a quarterly fee. Professional clients
may be required to meet additional criteria before obtaining a subscription to
NASDAQ Level II quotes.

The speed and performance of streaming data may vary depending on your modem
speed and ISP connection. Access to electronic services may be limited or
unavailable during periods of peak demand, market volatility, systems upgrades
or maintenance, or for other reasons.

Schwab does not recommend the use of technical analysis as a sole means of
investment research. (0408-6904)

Charles Schwab
David Weiskopf, 415-636-5753
david.weiskopf@schwab.com
or
Intermarket Communications
Clayton McGratty, 212-754-5425
cmcgratty@intermarket.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009