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| | EXHIBIT 99.1 |
News Release Contacts: | | 
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Media: Greg Gable Charles Schwab Phone: 415-667-0473 | Investors/Analysts: Rich Fowler Charles Schwab Phone: 415-667-1841 |
SCHWAB REPORTS RECORD QUARTERLY NET INCOME OF $452 MILLION, UP 28%
Revenues Grow 17% Year-Over-Year to a Record $1.8 Billion
Total Client Assets Reach a Record $2.62 Trillion
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, 2016 – The Charles Schwab Corporation announced today that its net income for the second quarter of 2016 was $452 million, up 10% from $412 million for the first quarter of 2016, and up 28% from $353 million for the second quarter of 2015. Net income for the six months ended June 30, 2016 was $864 million, up 32% from the year-earlier period. The company’s financial results for the second quarter and first six months of both 2016 and 2015 include certain non-recurring items; a description of these items is included below.
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| | Three Months Ended | | | | | Six Months Ended | | | |
| | June 30, | | % | | June 30, | | % |
Financial Highlights | | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change | | 2016 | | 2015 | | Change |
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Net revenues (in millions) | | $ | 1,828 | | | $ | 1,566 | | | 17 | % | | $ | 3,592 | | | $ | 3,092 | | | 16 | % |
Net income (in millions) | | $ | 452 | | | $ | 353 | | | 28 | % | | $ | 864 | | | $ | 655 | | | 32 | % |
Diluted earnings per common share | | $ | .30 | | | $ | .25 | | | 20 | % | | $ | .60 | | | $ | .47 | | | 28 | % |
Pre-tax profit margin | | | 39.4 | % | | | 36.2 | % | | | | | | 38.3 | % | | | 34.0 | % | | | |
Return on average common | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
stockholders’ equity (annualized) | | | 13 | % | | | 12 | % | | | | | | 13 | % | | | 11 | % | | | |
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EPS Impact of Certain Non-Recurring Items | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
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Net litigation proceeds (1) | | $ | - | | | $ | .01 | | | | | | $ | - | | | $ | .01 | | | | |
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Note: All per-share results are rounded to the nearest cent, based on weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding. |
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(1) | Net litigation proceeds include $2 million and $16 million in the second quarters of 2016 and 2015, respectively, relating to the company’s non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) portfolio. |
CEO Walt Bettinger said, “Our second quarter results mark yet another period of standout financial performance for Schwab. Our 17% year-over-year revenue growth and 28% increase in earnings reflect the power of our successful ‘through clients’ eyes’ strategy and disciplined financial management, particularly in the face of an unsettled economic environment and interest rates that remain near historic lows. Our second quarter pre-tax profit margin of 39.4% was the highest since our record performance in 2008. During the intervening seven-plus years, we have focused on balancing near-term profitability with reinvestment to drive growth, while working through the economic and interest rate aftermath of the financial crisis. From 2009 through mid-2016, we coped with extraordinary pressure on our revenues while investing approximately $3 billion in our brand and service capabilities, expanding our client base by approximately $1.20 trillion to $2.62 trillion, and building our earnings to today’s record level. Our second quarter pre-tax profit margin represented the 13th consecutive quarter in excess of 30% and a significant improvement from the sub-30% margins that followed the crisis.”
Mr. Bettinger continued, “We are winning in the marketplace, steadily attracting clients and assets with a compelling combination of financial products, service and value. Clients brought us $26.6 billion in core net new assets in the second quarter and $58.6 billion year-to-date, continuing our pattern of solid organic growth on top of a sizeable base. Our first-half performance puts Schwab on pace to gather over $100 billion in core net new assets for the fifth year in a row. Clients opened 271,000 new brokerage accounts in the second quarter – and we ended June with 10.0 million brokerage accounts, 1.1 million bank accounts, and 1.6 million retirement plan participants, up 4%, 6%, and 5%, respectively. Additionally, the number of accounts enrolled in one of our retail advisory solutions continued to grow faster than brokerage accounts overall, reaching 581,000 as of June 30th, up 8% from a year ago. We’ve also seen more investors turn to us for help with setting and tracking long-term goals; our financial consultants held planning conversations with 33,000 clients during the second quarter, up 14% from last year.”
Mr. Bettinger noted, “Client engagement remained strong throughout the second quarter, with activity spiking in late June as the United Kingdom held its referendum on leaving the European Union. Amidst the subsequent volatility, the S&P Global Broad Market Index lost a record $3 trillion in value over just two trading sessions. As our clients have come to expect, we immediately stepped up to provide timely, actionable insights. We sent nearly three million emails to investors, connecting them with representatives and commentary from our senior investment strategists. While web logins, calls to our service centers, and interactions with our financial consultants all rose markedly from prior weeks, we had planned for incremental demand on our staff and systems and were able to accommodate elevated volumes without disruption. Our clients explored implications for their current holdings and future goals, ultimately remaining net buyers of securities through the period.”
Mr. Bettinger concluded, “We continue to develop Schwab’s products and services with investors’ needs in mind, and enhance the multichannel access that makes it easy for them to do business with us. This quarter, we graduated 32 financial consultants from the inaugural classes of our FC University and FC Academy, programs designed to develop a pipeline of talent for our client-facing ranks. We also opened a new branch in downtown Washington D.C. and upgraded several branches throughout the country. These are initial steps in a larger, long-term effort to expand Schwab’s branch network throughout multiple metropolitan areas. In June, we introduced updates to the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios™ retirement income feature, which uses the account’s portfolio allocation, time horizon and initial investment to calculate an estimated monthly income level. Clients now have more flexibility in setting their desired monthly income and receive suggestions on adjustments to meet their goal. Additionally, Schwab Stock Plan Services announced a series of initiatives enabling more convenient monitoring and management of equity compensation awards. Plan participants can now view detailed information about their awards on our mobile app and receive support via live web chat or over the phone. In our Advisor Services business, we launched a national advertising campaign advocating for independent registered investment advisors and raising awareness of this model’s benefits for high net worth investors. In conjunction with the campaign, we introduced our updated Independent Advisor Learning Center, an online content hub where investors can learn more about RIAs and connect with one in their region.”
CFO Joe Martinetto commented, “We delivered record financial results in the second quarter based on sustained success in growing our client base, as well as the effects of the Federal Reserve’s initial rate increase in December and the relative stability of other environmental drivers until late in the period. Asset management and administration fees were a record $757 million, up 13% year-over-year, as higher short-term interest rates lifted net money fund revenue. Net interest revenue was a record $798 million, up 30% from the second quarter of 2015, reflecting both stronger short-term rates and a $30-plus billion increase in average interest-earning assets through a combination of organic asset gathering and bulk transfers of client sweep cash balances from money market funds to Schwab Bank. Finally, apart from a late surge, trading volumes declined from the first quarter to levels more consistent with our expectations. Trading revenue was down 1% year-over-year to $201 million. Together, our diversified revenue streams delivered overall revenue growth of 17% year-over-year, a bit stronger than our baseline scenario expectations. Reinvestment into the business proceeded largely as planned, yielding a gap of 580 basis points between revenue and expense growth and our strongest profitability in years.”
Mr. Martinetto observed, “Our year-to-date results have outperformed the baseline scenario that we laid out in the beginning of 2016. But as the second quarter came to a close, market concerns regarding economic growth, interest rates and equity valuations in the second half of this year escalated significantly. While many of these concerns have abated somewhat, we recognize the importance of remaining flexible in order to make the most of the environment as it evolves.
Our management team is experienced in monitoring conditions and adjusting spending plans as necessary to maintain that balance between near-term profitability and investing for long-term growth.”
Mr. Martinetto concluded, “As part of managing Schwab’s capital levels, our Board of Directors declared a one cent, or 17%, increase in the company’s quarterly cash dividend beginning with the second quarter. The current payout of $0.07 per common share is consistent with our target range of 20-30% of earnings. We also continued laying the groundwork for accelerated balance sheet growth via bulk transfers and cash sweep feature changes. We currently expect to transfer up to $8 billion in money fund balances to Schwab Bank during the second half of 2016. In June, the Bank became the default sweep option for all new accounts, and we anticipate approximately $3 billion of related incremental deposit growth by year-end. As of June 30th, the company had a preliminary consolidated Tier 1 Leverage ratio of 7.2%.”
Business highlights for the second quarter (data as of quarter-end unless otherwise noted):
Investor Services
| · | | New retail brokerage accounts for the quarter totaled approximately 170,000, down 3% year-over-year; total accounts were 7.0 million, up 4% year-over-year. |
| · | | Held financial planning conversations with approximately 33,000 clients during the quarter, up 14% year-over-year. |
| · | | Opened a new Washington D.C. City Center branch. Schwab has over 330 branches across the country that offer clients access to a range of investing and personal finance guidance, services, and products. |
| · | | Schwab Trading Services hosted another Online Trading Event for over 4,800 attendees, featuring a conversation with General Colin Powell, former Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and Schwab’s own Randy Frederick. |
| · | | A class of 15 financial consultants graduated from our inaugural FC Academy, a 24-month developmental rotational program preparing recent college graduates for a career in one of our branch offices. |
| · | | A class of 17 financial consultants graduated from our inaugural FC University, a 12-week onboarding program that prepares new-hires to be successful at Schwab and support the expansion of our branch network. |
Advisor Services
| · | | Debuted a national advertising campaign advocating for independent advisors, raising awareness of the benefits of independence among high net worth investors, and underscoring Schwab’s longstanding commitment to RIAs. |
| · | | Updated our Independent Advisor Learning Center, an online content hub central to the campaign, where investors can learn more about independent financial advisors and use a directory to find and connect with advisors in their region. The site is located at www.FindYourIndependentAdvisor.com. |
| · | | Held the annual EXPLORE® conference for the company’s top independent advisor clients. Schwab leadership and keynote speakers discussed client initiatives and growth opportunities for RIAs, with a focus on the international landscape, as well as firm talent and leadership. |
| · | | Launched our voice ID service for clients of advisors. Biometric technology allows clients to quickly and securely authenticate with their Schwab Alliance service team by simply saying a passphrase. |
Products and Infrastructure
| · | | For Charles Schwab Bank: |
| o | | Balance sheet assets = $153.9 billion, up 26% year-over-year. |
| o | | Outstanding mortgage and home equity loans = $11.1 billion, comparable to a year ago. |
| o | | Pledged Asset Line® balances = $3.5 billion, up 21% year-over-year. |
| o | | Delinquency, nonaccrual, and loss reserve ratios for Schwab Bank’s loan portfolio = 0.23%, 0.18% and 0.21%, respectively, at month-end June. |
| o | | Schwab Bank High Yield Investor Checking® accounts = 874,000, with $12.7 billion in balances. |
| o | | Opened the Charles Schwab Trust Company, and began offering full corporate trustee and successor trustee solutions in Nevada and Utah. |
| · | | Client assets managed by Windhaven® totaled $10.6 billion, down 29% from the second quarter of 2015. |
| · | | Client assets managed by ThomasPartners® totaled $8.5 billion, up 20% from the second quarter of 2015. |
| · | | Client assets managed by Intelligent Portfolios (Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and Institutional Intelligent Portfolios™) totaled $8.2 billion, up $1.6 billion from the first quarter of 2016. |
| · | | Enhanced the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios retirement income feature, which uses the account’s portfolio allocation, time horizon and initial investment to calculate an estimated monthly income level. Clients can now further customize their income goal and receive suggestions on how to meet it. |
| · | | Announced a series of Schwab Stock Plan Services initiatives to help equity compensation recipients easily monitor and manage their awards via web browser and mobile app, as well as receive support by live chat or phone. |
Supporting schedules are either attached or located at: http://www.aboutschwab.com/investor-relations/financial-reports.
Commentary from the CFO
Joe Martinetto, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, provides insight and commentary regarding Schwab’s financial picture at: http://www.aboutschwab.com/investor-relations/cfo-commentary. The most recent commentary was posted on January 19, 2016.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements relating to attracting clients and assets; 2016 core net new assets; expansion of the branch network; balancing near-term profitability with reinvestment for growth; balance sheet growth; bulk transfers; changes to cash sweep features; and bank deposit growth.
Important factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to, the company’s ability to attract and retain clients and registered investment advisors and grow those relationships and client assets; competitive pressures on rates and fees; the company’s ability to develop and launch new products, services and capabilities in a timely and successful manner; client use of the company’s advisory solutions and other products and services; general market conditions, including the level of interest rates, equity valuations and trading activity; the level of client assets, including cash balances; the company’s ability to manage expenses; capital needs and management; the company’s ability to monetize client assets; the timing, amount and impact of bulk transfers and changes to cash sweep features; the quality of the company’s balance sheet assets; client sensitivity to interest rates; regulatory guidance; the effect of adverse developments in litigation or regulatory matters and the extent of any charges associated with legal matters; any adverse impact of financial reform legislation and related regulations; and other factors set forth in the company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.
About Charles Schwab
The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) is a leading provider of financial services, with more than 330 offices and 10.0 million active brokerage accounts, 1.6 million corporate retirement plan participants, 1.1 million banking accounts, and $2.62 trillion in client assets as of June 30, 2016. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides a full range of wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, money management, custody, 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 Schwab Advisor Services. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.
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