Schwab broadens access to PocketBroker wireless investing

Financial services company Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. is expanding customer access to its PocketBroker wireless investing service. By mid-September, Schwab customers will be able to manage their equity investments while on the go with almost any Web-enabled phone across wireless carriers. Schwab plans to offer Web-enabled phones at no charge to individuals opening eligible accounts who would like to experience wireless investing.

"We know from talking with our customers that they value accessing Schwab services in a variety of ways. Our wireless offering complements an already broad set of channels that includes the Web, branches, and investor call centers," said Robert Sofman, senior vice president, Schwab Global Wireless Solutions Group. "Broadening access to PocketBroker through Web-enabled phones and providing easy access to those phones now brings the power of wireless investing within the reach of virtually every Schwab customer."

PocketBroker service includes access to real-time quotes, equity trading, order status, watch lists, alerts, and access to account balances and position information. For its Web-phone service, Schwab also added a one-touch customer service call-in button that enables investors to reach a Schwab customer service representative quickly and efficiently.

The Web-phone offer, which will begin in mid-September, will feature a selection of phones and an introductory offer of commission-free PocketBroker trades for tens of thousands of customers. Customers will be able to choose from a variety of phones and service providers, and the phones will be customized to make it easy for customers to access Schwab.

Introduced last June, the PocketBroker service is also available to users of Palm IIIx and Palm Vx handheld devices and the Research in Motion (RIM) 950 wireless handheld device, in addition to Web-enabled mobile phones.

Edited by Ellen Jensen
Managing Editor, Wireless Networks Online