optionsXpress Lowers Equity Trade Commissions

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

optionsXpress, Inc., a pioneer in bringing professional technology for options and futures trading to individual investors, announced that it has lowered online equity trading commissions to a flat rate of $8.95 per trade¹. In addition, customers can now trade Schwab ETFs commission-free in their optionsXpress account². The new fee structure, which goes into effect today, brings optionsXpress equity trading commissions in-line with those of Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. The Charles Schwab Corporation completed its acquisition of optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. on September 1, 2011.

“We're very pleased to be able to offer optionsXpress clients an early benefit resulting from the combination of optionsXpress and Charles Schwab,” said optionsXpress President, David Fisher. “Our clients can enjoy access to the powerful, easy-to-use tools and technology that optionsXpress has always offered, with even more competitive pricing.”

“Schwab and optionsXpress are working closely to deliver a combined set of capabilities and an outstanding trading experience for all our clients, and this is just one milestone in that effort,” added Fisher.

For more information on the optionsXpress fee changes, visit www.optionsxpress.com.

About optionsXpress Holdings, Inc.

optionsXpress Holdings, Inc., specializing in online options and futures trading, offers an innovative suite of online brokerage services for investor education, strategy evaluation, and trade execution. optionsXpress Holdings, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation SCHW, a leading provider of financial services, with more than 300 offices and 8.5 million active brokerage accounts, 1.5 million corporate retirement plan participants, 774,000 banking accounts, and $1.68 trillion in client assets. More information is available at www.aboutschwab.com.

optionsXpress, Inc. (Member SIPC) and Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (Member SIPC) are separate but affiliated companies and subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

Investors should consider carefully information contained in the prospectus, including investment objectives, risks, charges, and expenses. You can obtain a prospectus by visiting www.schwabetfs.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing.

1. Restrictions apply: The $8.95 flat commission applies to U.S. customers only. The $8.95 flat commission does not apply to foreign stock transactions, large block transactions requiring special handling, employer-negotiated commission schedules applicable to equity compensation transactions, or restricted stock transactions. Foreign ordinary shares that trade online in the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market and do not settle in the U.S. will have a $50 foreign transaction fee added to the cost of the transaction. Employee equity compensation transactions are subject to separate commission schedules. The $8.95 flat commission rate is not retroactive.

2. Restrictions apply: Trades of Schwab ETFs are commission-free at optionsXpress, while trades of third-party ETFs are subject to commissions. All ETFs are subject to management fees and expenses.

Schwab ETFs are distributed by SEI Investments Distribution Co. (SIDCO). SIDCO is not affiliated with The Charles Schwab Corporation or any of its affiliates.

Options involve risk and are not suitable for all investors. Please read “Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options” which is also available by calling 1-888-280-8020.

Futures involve substantial risk and are not appropriate for all investors. Please read “Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options” prior to applying for an account.

optionsXpress, Inc. makes no investment recommendations and does not provide financial, tax or legal advice. Content and tools are provided for educational and informational purposes only. Products and services are intended for U.S. customers and may not be available or offered in other jurisdictions.

© 2011 optionsXpress, Inc. All rights reserved. Member FINRA, SIPC, AMEX, NOM, CBOE, ISE, ArcaEX, PHLX and NFA.