SCHW

Schwab Charles Corp

A discount brokerage and wealth-management firm, Schwab runs a giant retail brokerage, a bank, and custody services that back independent financial advisors, with products like Schwab Funds, ETFs, and thinkorswim for everyday investors. Founder Charles "Chuck" Schwab launched it in 1971 as First Commander Corporation, renamed it after himself in 1973, and turned it into an industry-disrupting discounter when commissions were deregulated in 1975. Its playful Stock Slices service lets people buy a "slice" of an expensive share for a small amount, like a slice of pizza.