1 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-9700 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) DELAWARE 94-3025021 (State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) of incorporation or organization) 101 MONTGOMERY STREET, SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94104 (Address of principal executive offices and zip code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (415) 627-7000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock - $0.01 par value New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Pacific Exchange, Inc. Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No --- --- Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ x ] As of March 13, 1997, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the registrant was approximately $4,210,149,060. For purposes of this information, the outstanding shares of Common Stock owned by directors and executive officers of the registrant and by the Charles Schwab Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan were deemed to be shares of Common Stock held by affiliates. The number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 13, 1997 was 176,254,174 shares. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Part I and II of this Form 10-K incorporate certain information contained in the registrant's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders by reference to portions of that document. Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates certain information contained in the registrant's definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be held May 12, 1997 by reference to portions of that document. 2 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 ----------------------- TABLE OF CONTENTS Part I Item 1. Business ................................................................................... 1 Item 2. Properties ................................................................................ 9 Item 3. Legal Proceedings .......................................................................... 9 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders ........................................ 9 Item 4a. Executive Officers of the Registrant ....................................................... 9 Part II Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters ...................... 9 Item 6. Selected Financial Data .................................................................... 9 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...... 10 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ................................................ 10 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ....... 10 Part III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant ......................................... 10 Item 11. Executive Compensation ..................................................................... 12 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management ............................. 12 Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions ............................................. 12 Part IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K ............................ 12 Exhibit Index ........................................................................ 14 Signatures ........................................................................... 19 Index to Financial Statement Schedules ............................................... F-1 3 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS (a) General Development of Business. The Charles Schwab Corporation (CSC) was incorporated in 1986 and engages, through its subsidiaries, in securities brokerage and related financial services. As used herein, the "Company" refers to CSC and its subsidiaries. CSC's principal subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Schwab), is a securities broker-dealer. Schwab was incorporated in 1971, and entered the discount brokerage business in 1974. Mayer & Schweitzer, Inc. (M&S), a subsidiary acquired in 1991, is a market maker in Nasdaq securities that provides trade execution services to broker-dealers and institutional customers. Other subsidiaries of CSC include Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. (CSIM), The Charles Schwab Trust Company (CSTC) and ShareLink. CSIM, incorporated in 1989, acts as the investment adviser for Schwab's proprietary mutual funds. The Company refers to certain funds for which CSIM is the investment adviser as the SchwabFunds (registered trademark). CSTC, incorporated in 1992, provides custody services for fee-compensated independent investment managers and serves as trustee for employee benefit plans, primarily 401(k) plans. ShareLink, acquired in 1995 to expand the Company's international operations, is a retail discount securities brokerage firm located in the United Kingdom. New developments in the Company's business during 1996 include broadening its offering of online brokerage services and expanding its retirement plan services. In addition, the Company is enhancing the ways in which it may help investors by using its branch office network to assist investors in developing asset allocation strategies and evaluating their investment choices. This assistance is directed to the new generation of investors who are currently entering their peak savings years, as well as the many individuals who are willing to assume greater control over their financial affairs. (b) Financial Information About Industry Segments. The Company operates in a single industry segment: securities brokerage and related financial services. Fees received from the Company's proprietary mutual funds represented approximately 12% of the Company's consolidated revenues in 1996. As of December 31, 1996, approximately 27% of Schwab's total customer accounts were located in California. The next highest geographic concentrations of total customer accounts were approximately 7% in New York and 6% in Texas. (c) Narrative Description of Business. The Company's strategy is to attract and retain customer assets by focusing on a number of areas within the financial services industry - retail brokerage, mutual funds, support services for independent investment managers, equity securities market-making, online brokerage and 401(k) defined contribution plans. To pursue its strategy and its objective of long-term profitable growth, the Company plans to continue to leverage its competitive advantages. These advantages include advertising and marketing programs that have created a national brand, a broad range of products and services, diverse delivery systems and an ongoing investment in technology. The Company's primary focus is serving retail investors, directly or through independent investment managers, who seek a wide selection of quality investment services at prices that, in most cases, are substantially lower than those of full-commission firms. The Company, through Schwab, serves over 4.0 million active customer accounts(a). Customer assets totaled $253.2 billion as of December 31, 1996. The Company, through M&S and Schwab, engages in market-making activities in Nasdaq and exchange-listed securities. New rules, regulatory actions, and changes in market customs and practices are significantly impacting these market-making activities. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report, and "Regulation" below. The Company's business, like that of other securities brokerage firms, is directly affected by the fluctuations in securities trading volumes and price levels that occur in fundamentally cyclical financial markets. Such fluctuations are affected by many national and international economic and political factors that cannot be predicted, including broad trends in business and finance, the availability of credit and capital, legislation and regulation affecting the United States and international business and financial communities, currency values, and the level and volatility of interest rates. Shifts in customer investment preferences or in customer usage of Schwab's diverse delivery systems could reduce transaction-based revenues, which include commission and principal transaction revenues. Since transaction-based revenues continue to represent a majority of the Company's revenues, the Company may experience significant variations in revenues from period to period. The Company adjusts its expenses in anticipation of and in response to changes in financial market conditions and customer trading patterns. Certain of the Company's expenses (including variable compensation, portions of communications, and commissions, clearance and floor brokerage) vary directly with changes in financial performance or customer trading activity. Expenses relating to the level of temporary employees, contractors, overtime hours, professional services, and advertising and market - ------------------- (a) Accounts with balances or activity within the preceding twelve months. -1- 4 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION SOURCES OF REVENUES (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1996 1995 1994 ----------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------ TYPE OF REVENUE AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT ----------------------- ---------------------- ------------------------ Commissions Listed securities $ 423,232 22.9% $ 356,069 25.1% $ 278,025 26.1% Nasdaq 393,882 21.3% 283,024 19.9% 169,236 15.9% Mutual funds 70,805 3.8% 58,470 4.1% 59,949 5.6% Options 66,210 3.5% 53,333 3.8% 38,902 3.7% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMMISSIONS 954,129 51.5% 750,896 52.9% 546,112 51.3% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ MUTUAL FUND SERVICE FEES 311,067 16.8% 218,784 15.4% 156,812 14.7% PRINCIPAL TRANSACTIONS 256,902 13.9% 191,392 13.5% 162,595 15.3% Interest revenue Investments, customer-related 316,760 17.1% 283,031 19.9% 168,485 15.8% Margin loans to customers 339,433 18.3% 264,025 18.6% 184,871 17.4% Other 24,667 1.4% 21,064 1.6% 9,588 .9% Interest expense (425,872) (23.0%) (357,223) (25.2%) (198,236) (18.6%) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INTEREST REVENUE, NET OF INTEREST EXPENSE 254,988 13.8% 210,897 14.9% 164,708 15.5% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ OTHER 73,836 4.0% 47,934 3.3% 34,370 3.2% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ TOTAL $1,850,922 100.0% $1,419,903 100.0% $1,064,597 100.0% ============================================================================================================================== This table should be read in connection with the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. development are adjustable over the short term to help the Company achieve its financial objectives. Additionally, developmental spending (e.g., branch openings, product and service rollouts, and technology enhancements) is discretionary and can be altered in response to market conditions. However, a significant portion of the Company's expenses such as salaries and wages, occupancy and equipment, and depreciation and amortization do not vary directly, at least in the short term, with fluctuations in revenues or securities trading volumes. Given the nature of the Company's revenues and expenses, and the economic and competitive factors discussed in this report, the Company's earnings and common stock price may be subject to significant volatility. The Company's results for any period are not necessarily indicative of results for a future period. The table above sets forth on a comparative basis the Company's revenues for the three years ended December 31, 1996. COMPETITION The Company faces significant competition from full commission and discount brokerage firms, as well as mutual fund companies. Increasingly, competition has also come from banks, software development companies, insurance companies and others as they expand their product lines. A general trend of consolidation in financial services has -2- 5 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION attracted new competitors and strengthened existing ones. Some of these competitors are larger, more diversified, have greater financial resources, and offer a wider range of services and financial products than the Company. Particularly as financial services and products proliferate, to the extent such competitors are able to attract and retain customers on the basis of the convenience of one-stop shopping, the Company's business or its ability to grow could be adversely affected. In many instances, the Company is competing with such organizations for the same customers. The Company primarily competes on the basis of quality, convenience, price of services and products offered, technological innovation and expertise, and breadth of product line. Most discount brokerage firms charge commissions lower than Schwab. Full-commission brokerage firms also offer discounted commissions to selected retail brokerage customers. Many brokerage firms employ substantial funds in advertising and direct solicitation of customers to increase their market share of commission dollars and other securities-related income. Such competition may negatively impact the Company's customer asset growth, revenue growth and profit margin. ADVERTISING AND MARKETING PROGRAMS The Company's nationwide advertising and marketing programs are designed to distinguish the Schwab brand as well as its products and services. The Company's advertising and market development expense for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was $84 million, $53 million and $36 million, respectively. For the same years, new accounts opened were 985,000, 698,000 and 688,000, respectively. New account openings represent a significant portion of the growth in customer assets, which the Company believes is critical to growth in revenues. Accounts opened during 1996, 1995 and 1994 generated approximately 16%, 13% and 14% of total commission revenues during each of those years, respectively. Schwab advertises regularly in financially-oriented newspapers and periodicals and occasionally in general circulation publications. Schwab advertisements appear regularly on national and local cable television and periodically on radio and independent television stations. Schwab also engages extensively in targeted direct mail advertising through monthly statement "inserts" and special mailings. In its advertising, as well as in promotional events such as press appearances, Schwab has promoted the name and likeness of its Chairman, Mr. Schwab. The Company has an agreement with Mr. Schwab by which he, subject to certain limitations, has assigned to the Company and Schwab all service mark, trademark, and trade name rights in his name (and variations thereon) and likeness. PRODUCTS AND SERVICES The Company offers a broad range of products and services to meet customers' investment and financial needs at prices that management believes represent superior value. Accounts and Features. The Company offers the purchase and sale of securities which include Nasdaq and exchange-listed securities, options, mutual funds, variable annuities and fixed income investments, including United States Treasuries, zero-coupon bonds, listed and OTC corporate bonds, municipal bonds, GNMAs, unit investment trusts and CDs. If approved for margin transactions, a customer may borrow a portion of the price of certain securities purchased through Schwab, or may sell securities short. Customers must have specific approval to trade options; as of December 31, 1996, 205,000 accounts were so approved. To write uncovered options, customers must go through an additional approval process and must maintain a significantly higher level of equity in their brokerage accounts. Because Schwab does not pay interest on cash balances in basic brokerage accounts, it provides customers with an option to have cash balances in their accounts automatically swept into certain SchwabFunds (registered trademark) money market funds. A customer may receive additional services by qualifying for and opening a Schwab One (registered trademark) brokerage account. A customer may access available funds in his or her Schwab One account either with a personal check or a VISA debit card. When a Schwab One customer is approved for margin trading, the checks and debit card also provide access to margin cash available. For cash balances awaiting investment, Schwab pays interest to Schwab One customers at a discretionary rate of interest. Alternatively, Schwab One customers seeking tax-exempt income may elect to have cash balances swept into one of three tax-exempt SchwabFunds money market funds or a tax-exempt municipal trust (for Florida taxpayers only). During 1996, the number of active Schwab One accounts increased 29% to 966,000 accounts and the customer assets in all Schwab One accounts increased 42% to $114.7 billion. Customers who want to interact with Schwab through their computers may use e.Schwab (trademark), one of Schwab's flexible online brokerage services. A customer may open an e.Schwab account to place orders, receive account information and obtain real-time securities information, all online. Schwab acts as custodian, as well as broker, for Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs). In Schwab IRAs, cash balances are swept daily into one of three SchwabFunds money market funds. During 1996, active IRAs increased 20% to 1,342,000 accounts and customer assets in all IRAs increased 35% to $65.4 billion. Schwab also acts as custodian and broker for Keogh accounts. -3- 6 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Customer Financing. Customers' securities transactions are effected on either a cash or margin basis. Generally, a customer buying securities in a cash-only brokerage account is required to make payment by settlement date, usually three business days after the trade is executed. However, for purchases of certain types of securities, such as certain mutual fund shares, a customer must have a cash or money market fund balance in his or her account sufficient to pay for the trade prior to execution. When selling securities, a customer is required to deliver the securities, and is entitled to receive the proceeds, on settlement date. In an account authorized for margin trading, Schwab may lend its customer a portion of the market value of certain securities up to the limit imposed by the Federal Reserve Board, which for most equity securities is initially 50%. Such loans are collateralized by the securities in the customer's account. Short sales of securities represent sales of borrowed securities and create an obligation to purchase the securities at a later date. Customers may sell securities short in a margin account subject to minimum equity and applicable margin requirements and the availability of such securities to be borrowed and delivered. Interest on margin loans to customers provides an important source of revenue to Schwab. During the year ended December 31, 1996, Schwab's outstanding margin loans to its customers averaged $4.5 billion. In permitting a customer to engage in transactions, Schwab takes the risk of such customer's failure to meet his or her obligations in the event of adverse changes in the market value of the securities positions in his or her account. Under applicable rules and regulations for margin transactions, Schwab, in the event of such an adverse change, requires the customer to deposit additional securities or cash, so that the amount of the customer's obligation is not greater than specified percentages of the cash and market values of the securities in the account. As a matter of policy, Schwab generally requires its customers to maintain higher percentages of collateral values than the minimum percentages required under these regulations. Schwab may use cash balances in customer accounts to extend margin credit to other customers. Pursuant to the requirements of Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the portion of such cash balances not used to extend margin credit (increased or decreased by certain other customer-related balances) must be held in segregated investment accounts. The balances in these segregated investment accounts must be invested in qualified interest-bearing securities. To the extent customer cash balances are available for use by Schwab at interest costs lower than Schwab's costs of borrowing from alternative sources (e.g., balances in Schwab One (registered trademark) brokerage accounts) or at no interest cost (e.g., balances in other accounts and outstanding checks that have not yet cleared Schwab's bank), Schwab's cost of funds is reduced and its net income is enhanced. Such interest savings contribute substantially to Schwab's profitability and, if a significant reduction of customer cash balances were to occur, Schwab's borrowings from other sources may have to increase and such profitability would decline. To the extent Schwab's customers elect to have cash balances in their brokerage accounts swept into certain SchwabFunds(registered trademark) money market funds, the cash balances available to Schwab for investments or for financing margin loans are reduced. However, Schwab receives mutual fund service fees from such funds based on the daily average invested balances. See also "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report, and "Regulation" below. Mutual Funds. At December 31, 1996, Schwab's Mutual Fund OneSource (registered trademark) service enabled customers to trade over 620 mutual funds in 70 well-known fund families without incurring transaction fees. The service is particularly attractive to investors who would otherwise execute mutual fund trades directly with multiple mutual fund companies to avoid brokerage transaction fees, and to achieve investment diversity among fund families. In addition, investors' record keeping, investment monitoring and tax reporting are simplified through consolidated statements. Fees received by Schwab for providing services, including record keeping and shareholder services, from the Mutual Fund OneSource program are based upon daily balances of customer assets invested in the participating funds through Schwab and are paid by the funds and/or fund sponsors. Customer assets held by Schwab that have been purchased through the Mutual Fund OneSource service, excluding Schwab's proprietary funds, totaled $39.2 billion at the end of 1996. Schwab's proprietary funds, collectively referred to as the SchwabFunds, include money market funds, equity funds, bond funds, asset allocation funds, which contain stocks, bonds and cash equivalents, and funds that primarily invest in stock, bond and money market funds. Schwab customers may elect to have cash balances in their brokerage accounts automatically invested in certain SchwabFunds money market funds. Customer assets invested in the SchwabFunds, substantially all of which are in money market funds, were $43.1 billion at the end of 1996. Fees received by the Company from the SchwabFunds, for providing transfer agent services, shareholder services, administration and investment management, are based upon daily balances of customer assets invested in these funds. Through its Mutual Fund Marketplace (registered trademark) program, Schwab purchases and redeems for its customers shares of over 1,100 mutual funds in over 260 fund families sponsored by third parties. Customer assets invested in the Mutual Fund Marketplace, excluding the Mutual Fund OneSource service, totaled $35.4 billion at the end of 1996. Schwab charges a transaction fee on trades placed in the funds included in the -4- 7 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Mutual Fund Marketplace (registered trademark) (except on trades through the Mutual Fund OneSource(registered trademark) service)and these fees are recorded as commission revenues. Commissions from customer transactions in mutual fund shares comprised 7%, 8% and 11% of Schwab's total commission revenues in 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Market Making In Nasdaq and Exchange-Listed Securities. M&S provides trade execution services in Nasdaq securities to broker-dealers, including Schwab, and institutional customers. In most instances, customer orders are routed directly to M&S' trading system and are executed automatically. M&S generally executes customer trades as principal. M&S business practices call for competitively priced customer trade executions on the most favorable terms under the circumstances, generally defined as the highest bid price on a sell order and the lowest offer price on a buy order reasonably available in the market. Certain customer trades are executed on a negotiated basis. Substantially all Nasdaq security trades originated by the customers of Schwab are directed to M&S. Schwab has specialist operations on the Pacific Exchange to make markets in exchange-listed securities. The majority of trades originated by the customers of Schwab in exchange-listed securities for which Schwab makes a market are directed to these operations. At December 31, 1996, Schwab had 14 specialist posts that collectively made markets in 900 securities. In January 1997, Schwab expanded its specialist operations to include three specialist posts on the Boston Stock Exchange. In the normal course of its market making in Nasdaq and exchange-listed securities activities, M&S and Schwab maintain inventories in such securities on both a long and short basis. While long inventory positions represent M&S' and Schwab's ownership of securities, short inventory positions represent obligations of M&S and Schwab to deliver specified securities at a contracted price, which may differ from market prices prevailing at the time of completion of the transaction. Accordingly, long or short inventory positions may result in gains or losses as market values of such securities fluctuate. Services for Independent Investment Managers. To attract the business of accounts managed by fee-compensated independent investment managers, Schwab has a dedicated business unit which includes experienced registered representatives assigned to individual managers. Independent investment managers participating in this program may use SchwabLink (registered trademark), the computer-based information network for investment managers who custody customer accounts at Schwab, to access information in their customers' accounts directly from Schwab's computer data bases and to enter their customers' trades online. During 1996, Schwab customer assets held in accounts managed by 4,800 active independent investment managers increased $22.3 billion (44%) to a total of $72.9 billion. Independent investment managers and other professional investors generated 12% of Schwab's total commission revenues in 1996, 13% in 1995 and 14% in 1994. Retirement Plan Services. In response to the growth in 401(k) assets, Schwab began serving company 401(k) plans directly through a dedicated sales force, as well as indirectly through alliances with national and regional third-party administrators. During 1996, Schwab introduced SchwabPlan (trademark), a comprehensive 401(k) retirement plan offering. This new service enables employers to offer a wide range of investment options as well as employee education to their 401(k) retirement plan participants. DIVERSE DELIVERY SYSTEMS The Company invests in diverse delivery systems that uphold the Company's customer service standards. In addition to its branch office network, the Company maintains four regional customer telephone service centers as well as electronic brokerage channels. Branch Office Network. At December 31, 1996, the Company operated 235 branch offices in 46 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. The branch office network plays a key role in building Schwab's business. With the customer service support of regional customer telephone service centers and online brokerage channels, branch personnel are focusing a significant portion of their time on business development. Customers can use branch offices to obtain market information, place orders, open accounts, deliver and receive checks and securities, and obtain related customer services in person, yet most branch activities are conducted by telephone and mail. The Company is enhancing the ways in which it may help investors by using the branch office network to assist investors in developing asset allocation strategies and evaluating their investment choices. Branch staff are also referring investors who desire additional guidance to independent fee-compensated investment managers through the Schwab AdvisorSource (trademark) service. Regional Customer Telephone Service Centers. Schwab's four regional customer telephone service centers, located in Indianapolis, Denver, Phoenix and Orlando, handle calls to many of Schwab's toll-free numbers, customer calls that otherwise would have to wait for available registered representatives at branches during business hours, and calls routed from branches after hours and on weekends. Through the service centers, customers may place orders twenty-four hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, except for certain holidays. Customer orders placed during nonmarket hours are routed to appropriate markets the following business day. The capacity -5- 8 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION of the service centers allows new branches to be opened and maintained at lower staffing levels. The Company's customer service approach is to use teams of registered representatives in the service centers, working closely with branch personnel. Each registered representative has immediate access to the customer account and market-related information necessary to respond to any customer's inquiries, and for most customer orders, can enter the order and confirm the transaction. As a result of this approach, the departure of a registered representative generally does not result in a loss of customers for the Company. Electronic Brokerage Channels. The Company's electronic brokerage channels include telephonic channels such as TeleBroker (registered trademark) - Schwab's touch-tone telephone trading service and VoiceBroker (trademark) - introduced in the third quarter of 1996 as the first telephone-based service that uses voice recognition technology to provide individual investors with real-time quotes. Other channels include PC-based online services such as SchwabLink (registered trademark), StreetSmart (registered trademark), e.Schwab (trademark) and SchwabNOW! (trademark), introduced in the third quarter of 1996 which provides information and trading services through the Company's World Wide Web site. These electronic brokerage channels enable investors to place orders, receive account information and obtain real-time securities market information. These channels are designed to provide added convenience for customers and minimize Schwab's costs of responding to and processing routine customer transactions. In addition, TeleBroker, e.Schwab and SchwabNOW! provide customers with significant commission discounts from Schwab's standard rates. During 1996, the electronic brokerage channels handled over 67% of Schwab's total calls and over 43% of Schwab's total trades. INFORMATION SYSTEMS Schwab's operations rely heavily on its information processing and communications systems. Schwab's system for processing a securities transaction is highly automated. Registered representatives equipped with online computer terminals can access customer account information, obtain securities prices and related information, and enter orders online. To support its diverse delivery systems, as well as other applications such as clearing functions, account administration, record keeping and direct customer access to investment information, Schwab maintains a sophisticated computer network connecting all of the branch offices and regional customer telephone service centers. Schwab's computers are also linked to the major registered United States securities exchanges, M&S, the National Securities Clearing Corporation and The Depository Trust Company. Failure of Schwab's information processing or communications systems for a significant period of time could limit Schwab's ability to process its large volume of transactions accurately and rapidly. This could cause Schwab to be unable to satisfy its obligations to customers and other securities firms, and could result in regulatory violations. External events, such as an earthquake or power failure, loss of external information feeds, such as security price information, as well as internal malfunctions, such as those that could occur during the implementation of system modifications, could render part of or all such systems inoperative. To enhance the reliability of the system and integrity of data, Schwab maintains carefully monitored backup and recovery functions. These include logging of all critical files intraday, duplication and storage of all critical data outside of its central computer site every 24 hours, and maintenance of facilities for backup and communications in San Francisco. They also include the maintenance and periodic testing of a disaster recovery plan that management believes would permit Schwab to recommence essential computer operations if its central computer site were to become inaccessible. To reduce the exposure to system failures caused by external factors, including earthquakes, the Company's primary data center is located in Phoenix. CLEARING AND ACCOUNT MAINTENANCE Schwab performs clearing services for all securities transactions in customer accounts. Schwab clears the vast majority of customer transactions through the facilities of the National Securities Clearing Corporation or the Options Clearing Corporation. Certain other transactions, such as mutual fund transactions and transactions in securities not eligible for settlement through a clearing corporation, are settled directly with the mutual funds or other financial institutions. Schwab is obligated to settle transactions with clearing corporations, mutual funds and other financial institutions even if Schwab's customer fails to meet his or her obligations to Schwab. In addition, for transactions that do not settle through a clearing corporation, Schwab takes the risk of the other party's failure to settle the trade. See "Financial Instruments with Off-Balance-Sheet and Credit Risk" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. EMPLOYEES As of December 31, 1996, the Company had full-time, part-time and temporary employees, and persons employed on a contract basis that represented the equivalent of 10,400 -6- 9 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION full-time employees, including 8,900 full-time employees and part-time equivalents. REGULATION The securities industry in the United States is subject to extensive regulation under both Federal and state laws. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is the Federal agency charged with administration of the Federal securities laws. Schwab and M&S are registered as broker-dealers with the SEC. Schwab and CSIM are registered as investment advisers with the SEC. Much of the regulation of broker-dealers has been delegated to self-regulatory organizations, principally the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and the national securities exchanges such as the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), which has been designated by the SEC as Schwab's primary regulator with respect to its securities activities. The NASD has been designated by the SEC as M&S' primary regulator with respect to its securities activities. During 1996, the Chicago Board Options Exchange was Schwab's designated primary regulator with respect to options trading activities, and also has been designated as such for 1997. These self-regulatory organizations adopt rules (subject to approval by the SEC) governing the industry and conduct periodic examinations of broker-dealers. Securities firms are also subject to regulation by state securities authorities in the states in which they do business. Schwab was registered as a broker-dealer in 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico as of December 31, 1996. M&S was registered as a broker-dealer in 32 states and the District of Columbia as of December 31, 1996. The principal purpose of regulations and discipline of broker-dealers and investment advisers is the protection of customers and the securities markets, rather than protection of creditors and stockholders of broker-dealers and investment advisers. The regulations to which broker-dealers and investment advisers are subject cover all aspects of the securities business, including sales methods, trading practices among broker-dealers, uses and safekeeping of customers' funds and securities, capital structure of securities firms, record keeping, fee arrangements, disclosure to clients, and the conduct of directors, officers and employees. Additional legislation, changes in rules promulgated by the SEC and by self-regulatory organizations or changes in the interpretation or enforcement of existing laws and rules may directly affect the method of operation and profitability of broker-dealers and investment advisers. The SEC, self-regulatory organizations and state securities authorities may conduct administrative proceedings which can result in censure, fine, cease and desist orders, or suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer or an investment adviser, its officers, or employees. Schwab and M&S have been the subject of such administrative proceedings. In August 1996, the SEC adopted certain new rules and rule amendments, known as the Order Handling Rules, which significantly alter the manner in which orders related to both Nasdaq and listed securities are handled. These rules became effective on January 20, 1997, with respect to exchange-listed stocks and a limited number of Nasdaq securities, and are being phased in with respect to additional Nasdaq securities during 1997. The SEC has also issued for comment certain proposed rules by the NASD which, if approved, would introduce a new system for processing orders in the Nasdaq market. The proposed NASD rules, if approved, along with other potential regulatory actions and improvements in technology, could impact the manner in which business is currently conducted in the Nasdaq market. In addition, during 1994, the SEC commenced an investigation into the Nasdaq market and the activities of broker-dealers, including M&S, who act as market makers in Nasdaq securities. On August 8, 1996, the SEC issued a report of its investigation, and the NASD consented to sanctions for failing to enforce compliance with its rules and the federal securities laws. The SEC is continuing its investigation and has stated that further enforcement proceedings have not been precluded. These new rules, regulatory actions, and changes in market customs and practices are expected to have a material adverse impact on M&S' principal transaction revenues, M&S' profit margin and on the manner in which M&S conducts its business. See "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities" note in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. As registered broker-dealers and NASD member organizations, Schwab and M&S are required by Federal law to belong to the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which provides, in the event of the liquidation of a broker-dealer, protection for securities held in customer accounts held by the firm of up to $500,000 per customer, subject to a limitation of $100,000 for claims of between-investment cash balances. SIPC is funded through assessments on registered broker-dealers. In addition, in 1996, Schwab purchased from a private surety company additional account protection of up to $74.5 million per customer, as defined, for customer securities positions only. This additional account protection was increased to $99.5 million in March 1997. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds and money market funds are considered securities and are protected on a share basis for the purposes of SIPC protection and the additional protection (i.e., protected securities may either be replaced or converted into an equivalent market value as of the date a SIPC trustee is appointed). Neither SIPC protection nor the additional protection applies to fluctuations in the market value of securities. -7- 10 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Schwab is also authorized by the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board to effect transactions in municipal securities on behalf of its customers and has obtained certain additional registrations with the SEC and state regulatory agencies necessary to permit it to engage in certain other activities incidental to its brokerage business. Margin lending by Schwab and M&S is subject to the margin rules of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the NYSE. Under such rules, broker-dealers are limited in the amount they may lend in connection with certain purchases and short sales of securities and are also required to impose certain maintenance requirements on the amount of securities and cash held in margin accounts. In addition, those rules and rules of the Chicago Board Options Exchange govern the amount of margin customers must provide and maintain in writing uncovered options. As a California state-chartered trust company, CSTC is primarily regulated by the California State Banking Department. Since it provides employee benefit plan trust services, CSTC is also required to comply with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) and, consequently, is subject to oversight by both the Internal Revenue Service and Department of Labor. CSTC is required under ERISA to maintain a fidelity bond for the protection of employee benefit trusts for which it serves as trustee. Charles Schwab Limited, a subsidiary of Schwab, is registered as an arranger with the Securities and Futures Authority (SFA) in the United Kingdom, and engages in business development activities on behalf of Schwab. ShareLink is registered as a broker-dealer with the SFA in the United Kingdom. NET CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS As registered broker-dealers, Schwab and M&S are subject to the Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) promulgated by the SEC (the Net Capital Rule), which has also been adopted through incorporation by reference in NYSE Rule 325. Schwab is a member firm of the NYSE and the NASD, and M&S is a member firm of the NASD. The Net Capital Rule specifies minimum net capital requirements for all registered broker-dealers and is designed to measure financial integrity and liquidity. Failure to maintain the required net capital may subject a firm to suspension or expulsion by the NYSE and the NASD, certain punitive actions by the SEC and other regulatory bodies, and ultimately may require a firm's liquidation. Because CSC itself is not a registered broker-dealer, it is not subject to the Net Capital Rule. However, if Schwab failed to maintain specified levels of net capital, such failure would constitute a default by CSC under certain debt covenants. "Net capital" is essentially defined as net worth (assets minus liabilities), plus qualifying subordinated borrowings, less certain deductions that result from excluding assets that are not readily convertible into cash and from conservatively valuing certain other assets. These deductions include charges that discount the value of firm security positions to reflect the possibility of adverse changes in market value prior to disposition. The Net Capital Rule requires notice of equity capital withdrawals to be provided to the SEC prior to and subsequent to withdrawals exceeding certain sizes. Such rule prohibits withdrawals that would reduce a broker-dealer's net capital to an amount less than 25% of its deductions required by the Net Capital Rule as to its security positions. The Net Capital Rule also allows the SEC, under limited circumstances, to restrict a broker-dealer from withdrawing equity capital for up to 20 business days. Schwab and M&S have elected the alternative method of calculation under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of the Net Capital Rule, which requires a broker-dealer to maintain minimum net capital equal to 2% of its "aggregate debit items," computed in accordance with the Formula for Determination of Reserve Requirements for Brokers and Dealers (Rule 15c3-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). "Aggregate debit items" are assets that have as their source transactions with customers, primarily margin loans. Under the alternative method of the Net Capital Rule, a broker-dealer may not (a) pay, or permit the payment or withdrawal of, any subordinated borrowings or (b) pay cash dividends or permit equity capital to be removed if, after giving effect to such payment, withdrawal, or removal, its net capital would be less than 5% of its aggregate debit items. Under NYSE Rule 326, Schwab is required to reduce its business if its net capital is less than 4% of aggregate debit items for more than 15 consecutive business days; NYSE Rule 326 also prohibits the expansion of business if net capital is less than 5% of aggregate debit items for more than 15 consecutive business days. The provisions of NYSE Rule 326 also become operative if capital withdrawals (including scheduled maturities of subordinated borrowings during the following six months) would result in a reduction of a firm's net capital to the levels indicated. If compliance with applicable net capital rules were to limit Schwab's or M&S' operations and their ability to repay subordinated debt to CSC, this in turn could limit CSC's ability to repay debt, pay cash dividends and purchase shares of its outstanding stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. At December 31, 1996, Schwab was required to maintain minimum net capital under the Net Capital Rule of $105 million and had total regulatory net capital of $541 million. At December 31, 1996, the amounts in excess of 2%, 4% and 5% of aggregate debit items were $436 million, $332 million and $279 million, respectively. -8- 11 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION At December 31, 1996, M&S was required to maintain minimum net capital under the Net Capital Rule of $1 million and had total regulatory net capital of $6 million. At December 31, 1996, the amount in excess of 2% of aggregate debit items was $5 million. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES The Company's corporate headquarters are located in a 28-story building at 101 Montgomery Street in San Francisco, California. The building contains 296,000 square feet and is leased by Schwab under a term expiring in the year 2010. Schwab has three successive five-year options to renew the lease at the then market rental value. Schwab also leases space in other buildings for its San Francisco operations aggregating 536,000 additional square feet at year-end 1996. M&S' headquarters are located in leased office space in Jersey City, New Jersey. All of the Company's branch offices are located in leased premises, generally with lease expiration dates five to ten years from inception. The Company has four regional customer telephone service centers. The Company owns the service centers located in Phoenix and Indianapolis, with 330,000 and 164,000 square feet, respectively. The Company leases the service centers located in Orlando and Denver, with 216,000 and 150,000 square feet, respectively. The Company owns its primary data center facility located in Phoenix with 105,000 square feet. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth under the caption "Commitments and Contingent Liabilities" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company's security holders during the fourth quarter of 1996. ITEM 4a. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT See Item 10 in Part III of this report. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The Company's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Exchange under the ticker symbol SCH. The number of common stockholders of record as of February 7, 1997 was 2,705. The other information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth under the caption "Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth under the captions "Operating Results (for the year)," "Other (for the year)" and "Other (at year end)" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. -9- 12 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. Average balances and interest rates for the fourth quarters of 1996 and 1995 are summarized as follows (dollars in millions): - --------------------------------------------------------------------- Three Months Ended December 31, 1996 1995 - --------------------------------------------------------------------- EARNING ASSETS (CUSTOMER-RELATED): Investments: Average balance outstanding $6,544 $5,144 Average interest rate 5.33% 5.68% Margin loans to customers: Average balance outstanding $4,812 $3,759 Average interest rate 7.55% 8.08% Average yield on earning assets 6.27% 6.69% FUNDING SOURCES (CUSTOMER-RELATED AND OTHER): Interest-bearing customer cash balances: Average balance outstanding $9,137 $7,257 Average interest rate 4.42% 4.72% Other interest-bearing sources: Average balance outstanding $ 926 $ 491 Average interest rate 4.24% 4.68% Average noninterest-bearing portion $1,293 $1,155 Average interest rate on funding sources 3.90% 4.11% SUMMARY: Average yield on earning assets 6.27% 6.69% Average interest rate on funding sources 3.90% 4.11% - --------------------------------------------------------------------- Average net interest margin 2.37% 2.58% ===================================================================== The increase in interest revenue, net of interest expense, from the fourth quarter of 1995 to the fourth quarter of 1996 was primarily due to higher levels of average earning assets, partially offset by higher levels of funding sources and a decrease in average net interest margin. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is set forth in the Consolidated Financial Statements and under the caption "Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)" in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE Not applicable. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT The information relating to directors of the Company required to be furnished pursuant to this item is incorporated by reference from portions of the Company's definitive proxy statement for its annual meeting of stockholders to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after December 31, 1996 (the Proxy Statement) under the captions "Election of Directors" (excluding all information under the caption "Information about the Board of Directors and Committees of the Board") and "Principal Stockholders." Executive Officers of the Registrant The following table provides certain information about each of the Company's current executive officers. Executive officers are elected by and serve at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors. However, Mr. Schwab has an employment agreement with the Company through March 2001, which includes an automatic renewal feature that, as of each March 31, extends the agreement for an additional year unless either party elects to not extend the agreement. -10- 13 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ================================================================================ EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY ---- --- ------------------------- Charles R. Schwab 59 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and Director Lawrence J. Stupski 51 Vice Chairman, and Director David S. Pottruck 48 President and Chief Operating Officer, and Director John Philip Coghlan 45 Executive Vice President - Schwab Institutional (trademark) Daniel O. Leemon 43 Executive Vice President - Business Strategy Dawn Gould Lepore 42 Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Timothy F. McCarthy 45 Executive Vice President - Financial Products and International Group Elizabeth Gibson Sawi 44 Executive Vice President - Electronic Brokerage Steven L. Scheid 43 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Tom Decker Seip 47 Executive Vice President - Retail Brokerage Luis E. Valencia 52 Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer ================================================================================ MR. SCHWAB has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company since its incorporation in 1986. Mr. Schwab was a founder of Schwab in 1971 and has been its Chairman since 1978. Mr. Schwab is currently a director of The Gap, Inc., Transamerica Corporation, Siebel Systems, Inc., AirTouch Communications and a trustee of The Charles Schwab Family of Funds, Schwab Investments, Schwab Capital Trust and Schwab Annuity Portfolios, all registered investment companies. MR. STUPSKI has been Vice Chairman of the Company since 1992 and a director of the Company since its incorporation in 1986. Mr. Stupski was Chief Operating Officer of the Company from 1986 to 1994 and the Company's President from 1986 to 1992. Mr. Stupski also served as Chief Executive Officer from 1988 to 1992 and Chief Operating Officer of Schwab from 1981 to 1992. Mr. Stupski served as Vice Chairman of Schwab from 1992 to 1994. MR. POTTRUCK has been Chief Operating Officer and a director of the Company since 1994 and President of the Company since 1992. Mr. Pottruck was Executive Vice President of the Company from 1987 to 1992. Mr. Pottruck has been Chief Executive Officer of Schwab since 1992 and President of Schwab since 1988. Mr. Pottruck was Executive Vice President of Schwab from 1987 to 1992. Mr. Pottruck joined Schwab in 1984. MR. COGHLAN has been Executive Vice President of the Company and Schwab and General Manager of Schwab Institutional since 1992. Mr. Coghlan joined Schwab in 1986, became Vice President in 1988 and became Senior Vice President in 1990. MR. LEEMON has been Executive Vice President - Business Strategy of the Company and Schwab since 1995. Before joining Schwab in 1995, Mr. Leemon held various positions with The Boston Consulting Group, Inc., a management consulting firm, from 1989 to 1995, including Vice President from 1990. MS. LEPORE has been Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of the Company and Schwab since 1993. Ms. Lepore joined Schwab in 1983 and became Senior Vice President in 1989. MR. MCCARTHY has been Executive Vice President - Financial Products and International Group of the Company and Schwab since September 1996 and was Executive Vice President - Mutual Funds of the Company and Schwab and Chief Executive Officer of CSIM from 1995 to 1996. Before joining Schwab in 1995, Mr. McCarthy was Chief Executive Officer of Jardine Fleming Unit Trusts Ltd., a mutual fund company, from 1994 to 1995. From 1987 to 1994, Mr. McCarthy held various executive positions with Fidelity Investments, including President of Fidelity Investments -11- 14 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Advisor Group, President of National Financial Institutional Services and Executive Director of Fidelity Brokerage Group. MS. SAWI has been Executive Vice President - Electronic Brokerage of the Company and Schwab since 1995. Ms. Sawi was President of CSIM from 1994 to 1995. From 1994 to 1995, Ms. Sawi was Executive Vice President - Mutual Funds of the Company and Schwab. Prior to that, Ms. Sawi was Executive Vice President - - Marketing and Advertising of the Company and Schwab from 1992 to 1994. Ms. Sawi joined Schwab in 1982. MR. SCHEID has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and Schwab since June 1996. Before joining Schwab in 1996, Mr. Scheid was Executive Vice President of Finance for First Interstate Bancorp from 1994 to 1996 and was Principal Financial Officer from 1995 to 1996. From 1990 to 1994, Mr. Scheid was Chief Financial Officer of First Interstate Bank of Texas. MR. SEIP has been Executive Vice President - Retail Brokerage of the Company and Schwab since 1994. Mr. Seip was President of CSIM from 1992 to 1994 and Chief Operating Officer of CSIM from 1991 to 1994. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Seip was Executive Vice President - Mutual Funds and Fixed Income Products of the Company and Schwab. Mr. Seip joined Schwab in 1983. MR. VALENCIA has been Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of the Company and Schwab since February 1996. From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Valencia was Executive Vice President - Human Resources of the Company and Schwab. Before joining Schwab in 1994, Mr. Valencia served as a Managing Director of Commercial Credit Corp., a subsidiary of the Travelers engaged in consumer finance for the Travelers, from 1993 to 1994. From 1975 to 1993, Mr. Valencia held various positions with Citicorp, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Transaction Technology, a subsidiary of Citicorp, from 1990 to 1993. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is incorporated by reference from portions of the Proxy Statement under the captions "Election of Directors - Director Compensation", "Executive Compensation" (excluding all information under the caption "Board Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation" and "Performance Graph") and "Certain Transactions." ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is incorporated by reference from portions of the Proxy Statement under the caption "Principal Stockholders." ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item is incorporated by reference from a portion of the Proxy Statement under the caption "Certain Transactions." PART IV ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Documents filed as part of this Report 1. Financial Statements The financial statements and independent auditors' report are set forth in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report and are listed below: Consolidated Statement of Income Consolidated Balance Sheet Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Independent Auditors' Report 2. Financial Statement Schedules The financial statement schedules required to be furnished pursuant to this item are listed in the accompanying index appearing on page F-1. -12- 15 (b) Reports on Form 8-K On November 8, 1996, the Registrant filed a Current Report on Form 8-K relating to up to $196 million aggregate principal amount of debt securities issuable by the Registrant pursuant to Registration Statement Numbers 333-12727 and 33-61943 declared effective by the SEC on November 1, 1996 and August 18, 1995, respectively. Certain exhibits relating to Medium-Term Notes, Series A, issuable pursuant to the Registration Statements are contained in the Current Report. -13- 16 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION (c) Exhibits The exhibits listed below are filed as part of this annual report on Form 10-K. Exhibit Number Exhibit 3.7 Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended on May 6, 1996, of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.7 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. 3.8 Second Restated Bylaws, as amended on July 17, 1996, of the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 3.8 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. 4.2 Neither the Registrant nor its subsidiaries are parties to any instrument with respect to long-term debt for which securities authorized thereunder exceed 10% of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. Copies of instruments with respect to long-term debt of lesser amounts will be provided to the SEC upon request. 10.4 Form of Release Agreement dated as of March 31, 1987 among BAC, Registrant, Schwab Holdings, Inc., Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and former shareholders of Schwab Holdings, Inc. * 10.9 Executive Officer Stock Option Plan (1987) dated as of March 24, 1987, with form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Executive Officer Stock Option Plan (1987)) attached. * + 10.20 License Agreements dated April 18, 1979 and April 11, 1983 between International Business Machines Corporation and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. * 10.22 License Agreement dated as of February 28, 1979 between Applied Data Research, Inc. and Beta Systems, Inc. and Assignment, dated February 21, 1979. * 10.23 License Agreement dated as of February 21, 1979 between Beta Systems, Inc. and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. * 10.25 333 Bush Street Office Lease dated July 29, 1987 between 333 Bush Street Associates and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. * 10.34 Form of Indemnification Agreement entered into between Registrant and certain members of the Board of Directors of Registrant, filed as Exhibit 10.34 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.55 Cash Subordination Agreements between Schwab Holdings, Inc. and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. with Assignments dated March 31, 1987 by Schwab Holdings, Inc., of all right, title, and interest in Cash Subordination Agreements to Registrant, filed as Exhibit 4.20 to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-16192 on Form S-1 and incorporated herein by reference. -14- 17 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Exhibit Number Exhibit 10.57 Registration Rights and Stock Restriction Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1987, between the Registrant and the holders of the Common Stock, filed as Exhibit 4.23 to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-16192 on Form S-1 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.63 Revolving Subordinated Loan Agreement as of September 29, 1988, between the Registrant and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.63 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.72 Restatement of Assignment and License, as amended January 25, 1988, among Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., Charles R. Schwab and the Registrant, filed as Exhibit 10.72 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.73 1987 Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated, as of April 17, 1989, with form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (General Management Plan) attached, filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-21582 on Form S-8 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.83 First Amendment to Revolving Subordinated Loan Agreement, as of April 18, 1990, between the Registrant and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., filed as Exhibit 10.83 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.87 Trust Agreement under the Charles Schwab Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, effective November 1, 1990, dated October 25, 1990, filed as Exhibit 10.87 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.99 Second Amendment to Revolving Subordinated Loan Agreement, as of November 1, 1991, between the Registrant and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 10.101 First Amendment to the Trust Agreement under the Charles Schwab Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, effective January 1, 1992, dated December 20, 1991. 10.113 Schwab One Services Agreement dated April 17, 1992 between Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. and Provident National Bank, filed as Exhibit 10.113 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.116 Second Amendment to the Trust Agreement for the Charles Schwab Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan effective July 1, 1992, dated June 30, 1992, filed as Exhibit 10.116 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.120 ESOP Loan Agreement, effective as of January 19, 1993, between Registrant and The Charles Schwab Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan and Trust, filed as Exhibit 10.120 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992 and incorporated herein by reference. + -15- 18 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Exhibit Number Exhibit 10.132 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan III, as Amended, effective January 1, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10.132 to Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1993 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.138 Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement for Non-Employee Directors, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-47842 on Form S-8 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.140 Form of Restricted Shares Agreement, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-54701 on Form S-8 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.141 The Charles Schwab Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended October 18, 1994, filed as Exhibit 10.141 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.143 Form of Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.143 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.144 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement, filed as Exhibit 10.144 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.146 Annual Executive Individual Performance Plan dated as of January 1, 1995, filed as Exhibit 10.146 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.147 Corporate Executive Bonus Plan dated as of January 1, 1995 (formerly the Annual Executive Bonus Plan), filed as Exhibit 10.147 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.149 Employment Agreement dated as of March 31, 1995 between the Registrant and Charles R. Schwab, filed as Exhibit 10.149 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.152 The Charles Schwab Profit Sharing and Employee Stock Ownership Plan, amended July 6, 1995, effective January 1, 1995 and April 1, 1995, filed as Exhibit 10.152 in the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.155 Forms of Restricted Share Award Agreements, incorporating performance vesting provisions and/or supplemental cash payment provisions, filed as Exhibit 10.155 in the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.156 Agreement of Sale, dated as of September 18, 1995, as amended by letter agreement dated September 21, 1995 and by Second Amendment to Agreement of Sale dated September 22, 1995, between American Express Company and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., regarding American Express Western Regional Operations Center located at 2423 Lincoln Drive, Phoenix, Arizona, filed as Exhibit 10.156 in the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. -16- 19 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION Exhibit Number Exhibit 10.157 The Charles Schwab Corporation Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan, effective January 1, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10.157 to the Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.158 Credit Agreement dated June 28, 1996 between the Registrant and the banks listed therein, filed as Exhibit 10.158 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.159 The Charles Schwab Corporation Executive Officer Stock Option Plan (1987), as amended September 17, 1996, with form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (Executive Officer Stock Option Plan (1987)) attached (supersedes Exhibit 10.9), filed as Exhibit 10.159 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.160 The Charles Schwab Corporation 1987 Stock Option Plan, as amended September 17, 1996, with form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (General Management Plan) attached (supersedes Exhibit 10.73), filed as Exhibit 10.160 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.161 The Charles Schwab Corporation 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended September 17, 1996 (supersedes Exhibit 10.141), filed as Exhibit 10.161 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.162 The Charles Schwab Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended September 17, 1996, filed as Exhibit 10.162 to the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996 and incorporated herein by reference. + 10.163 Lease of 101 Montgomery Street between 101 Montgomery Street Co. and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. dated October 8, 1996. 10.164 Office Lease of Pacific Telesis Center Telesis Tower between Post-Montgomery Associates and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. dated October 4, 1996. 10.165 Third Amendment to Revolving Subordinated Loan Agreement, as of December 12, 1995, between the Registrant and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. 11.1 Computation of Earnings Per Share. 12.1 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. 13.1 Portions of The Charles Schwab Corporation 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which have been incorporated herein by reference. Except for such portions, such annual report is not deemed to be "filed" herewith. 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 23.1 Independent Auditors' Consent. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule (electronic only). -17- 20 * Incorporated by reference to the identically-numbered exhibit to Registrant's Registration Statement No. 33-16192 on Form S-1, as amended and declared effective on September 22, 1987. + Management contract or compensatory plan. -18- 21 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on March 28, 1997. THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION (Registrant) BY: /s/ CHARLES R. SCHWAB --------------------------------- Charles R. Schwab Chairman Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated, on March 28, 1997. SIGNATURE TITLE /s/ CHARLES R. SCHWAB Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director - ------------------------- (principal executive officer) Charles R. Schwab /s/ LAWRENCE J. STUPSKI Vice Chairman and Director - ------------------------- Lawrence J. Stupski /s/ DAVID S. POTTRUCK President, Chief Operating Officer and Director - ------------------------- David S. Pottruck /s/ STEVEN L. SCHEID Executive Vice President and Chief Financial - ------------------------- Officer Steven L. Scheid (principal financial and accounting officer) /s/ NANCY H. BECHTLE Director - ------------------------- Nancy H. Bechtle /s/ C. PRESTON BUTCHER Director - ------------------------- C. Preston Butcher /s/ DONALD G. FISHER Director - ------------------------- Donald G. Fisher /s/ ANTHONY M. FRANK Director - ------------------------- Anthony M. Frank /s/ FRANK C. HERRINGER Director - ------------------------- Frank C. Herringer /s/ STEPHEN T. McLIN Director - ------------------------- Stephen T. McLin /s/ ROGER O. WALTHER Director - ------------------------- Roger O. Walther -19- 22 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ================================================================================ THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES PAGE Independent Auditors' Report F-2 SCHEDULE I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant: Condensed Balance Sheet F-3 Condensed Statement of Income and Retained Earnings F-4 Condensed Statement of Cash Flows F-5 SCHEDULE II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts F-6 Schedules not listed are omitted because of the absence of the conditions under which they are required or because the information is included in the Company's consolidated financial statements and notes in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report. ================================================================================ F-1 23 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of The Charles Schwab Corporation: We have audited the consolidated financial statements of The Charles Schwab Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996, and have issued our report thereon dated February 21, 1997; such consolidated financial statements and report are included in your 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the financial statement schedules of the Company and subsidiaries appearing on pages F-3 through F-6. These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP San Francisco, California February 21, 1997 F-2 24 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ================================================================================ SCHEDULE I THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET (In thousands, except per share amounts) DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 74,785 $ 41,198 Receivable from subsidiaries 15,276 7,229 Subordinated receivable from subsidiaries 235,000 203,000 Investment in subsidiaries, at equity 820,289 640,368 Other assets 5,004 4,762 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL $1,150,354 $896,557 ================================================================================================================= LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Accrued expenses and other $ 17,799 $ 23,663 Borrowings 278,000 240,000 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total liabilities 295,799 263,663 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock - 9,940 shares authorized; $.01 par value per share; none issued Common stock - 500,000 shares authorized in 1996 and 200,000 shares authorized in 1995; $.01 par value per share; 178,459 shares issued in 1996 and 1995 1,785 1,785 Additional paid-in capital 200,857 180,302 Retained earnings 723,085 520,532 Treasury stock - 3,391 shares in 1996 and 4,427 shares in 1995, at cost (60,277) (50,968) Unearned ESOP shares (5,517) (9,397) Unamortized restricted stock compensation (8,658) (7,074) Foreign currency translation adjustment 3,280 (2,286) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total stockholders' equity 854,555 632,894 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL $1,150,354 $896,557 ================================================================================================================= See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report, for a discussion of borrowings and contingent liabilities. ================================================================================ F-3 25 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ================================================================================ SCHEDULE I THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS (In thousands) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 ---- ---- ---- Interest revenue $ 26,287 $ 18,879 $ 14,379 Interest expense (19,091) (13,886) (12,079) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET INTEREST REVENUE 7,196 4,993 2,300 Other revenues 268 1,032 18 Other expenses (3,400) (2,984) (8,467) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) AND EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 4,064 3,041 (6,149) Income tax expense (benefit) 1,568 1,235 (2,490) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF SUBSIDIARIES 2,496 1,806 (3,659) Equity in earnings of subsidiaries Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries 154,922 134,418 30,632 Dividends paid by subsidiaries 76,385 36,380 108,370 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total 231,307 170,798 139,002 NET INCOME 233,803 172,604 135,343 Dividends on common stock (31,495) (24,249) (16,038) Other 245 (984) 164 RETAINED EARNINGS: At beginning of year 520,532 373,161 253,692 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AT END OF YEAR $723,085 $520,532 $373,161 =========================================================================================================== ================================================================================ F-4 26 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ================================================================================ SCHEDULE I THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION (PARENT COMPANY ONLY) CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996 1995 1994 ---- ---- ---- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 233,803 $172,604 $135,343 Noncash items included in net income: Equity in undistributed earnings of subsidiaries (154,922) (134,418) (30,632) Change in other assets (157) (50) (2,144) Change in accrued expenses and other (7,805) 4,455 7,011 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash provided by operating activities 70,919 42,591 109,578 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Decrease in receivable from subsidiaries 23,446 53,958 17,475 Collection on subordinated loans to subsidiary 4,000 8,728 Issuance of subordinated loans to subsidiaries (36,000) (79,000) Increase in net investment in subsidiaries (10,132) (16,206) (3,468) Cash payments for businesses acquired (4,709) (63,696) Other (1,720) (801) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (23,395) (106,664) 21,934 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from borrowings 64,000 70,000 20,000 Repayment of borrowings (26,000) (35,000) Dividends paid (31,495) (24,249) (16,038) Purchase of treasury stock (28,171) (17,345) (46,781) Other 7,729 12,972 10,200 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (13,937) 41,378 (67,619) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 33,587 (22,695) 63,893 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 41,198 63,893 -- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF YEAR $ 74,785 $ 41,198 $ 63,893 ====================================================================================================== See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders, which are incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit No. 13.1 of this report, for a discussion of additional cash flow information. ================================================================================ F-5 27 THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION ================================================================================ SCHEDULE II THE CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (In thousands) ADDITIONS BALANCE AT --------------------- BALANCE AT BEGINNING CHARGED END DESCRIPTION OF YEAR TO EXPENSE OTHER WRITTEN OFF OF YEAR ------- ---------- ----- ----------- ------- FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996: Allowance for doubtful accounts $3,700 $2,651 $ 99 $ (932) $5,518 =============================================================== FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995: Allowance for doubtful accounts $3,204 $1,349 $272 $(1,125) $3,700 =============================================================== FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1994: Allowance for doubtful accounts $2,229 $1,193 $150 $ (368) $3,204 =============================================================== ================================================================================ F-6