Charles Schwab introduces Charley, its new AI assistant

The Charles Schwab Corporation announced on September 30, 2026, the launch of Charley, a new generative artificial intelligence assistant designed for retail clients. Starting in October, the tool will roll out in phases to eligible U.S. retail clients on Schwab.com and the Schwab Mobile app, with plans to expand access to additional client groups over time.

Charley is powered by large language models grounded in Schwab's internal data and safeguards. Through voice or text chat, clients can check account balances, recent transactions, statements, and tax documents. The assistant can also manage watchlists and alerts, look up quotes and market research, enroll eligible securities in dividend reinvestment, add beneficiaries, and connect users with human customer representatives.

The rollout follows an internal employee pilot conducted earlier in 2026. According to an online survey conducted by Schwab between September 21 and September 25, 2026, among more than 500 clients and prospects with at least $10,000 in retail assets, 65% of retail investors said AI can either help execute routine tasks or play a meaningful role in investing when paired with human expertise.

Amy Ruegg, Head of Digital Retail at Charles Schwab, noted that the assistant helps clients get answers and take action while maintaining access to human support. The launch builds on Schwab's introduction of an AI-powered portfolio insights feature in May, which will soon add expanded market overview content, news, and ETF data.