When I assumed the responsibilities of CEO of The Charles Schwab Corporation in 2008, I knew I had some big shoes to fill. Chuck Schwab, as both a person and a leader, is a force to be reckoned with. He cares deeply about our clients, and when faced with competing business decisions, he will always choose the one that benefits investors—even if that means turning our business model on its head.
Indeed, when I asked him what I should focus on during my tenure as CEO, I expected a typical response: grow client assets, or reduce operating expenses, or get the stock price up. But Chuck isn’t your typical businessman. “Do your part to make sure Schwab is a strong, independent company 50 years from now,” he said, “because investors deserve a firm that’s on their side.”
Our team recently sat down with Chuck to talk about what it took to build and grow the company that bears his name, as well as what he thinks are the keys to becoming a successful investor.
If I had to distill all I’ve learned from Chuck into a single sentence, it would be this: Doing what’s best for the client is always the right business decision. It’s such a simple idea, and yet it’s ultimately what sets Chuck—and Schwab—apart.
Sincerely,
Walt Bettinger,
President & CEO
What You Can Do Next
Check out Chuck Schwab’s latest book, Invested, now available online and at bookstores across the U.S.