Charles Schwab is kicking off 2026 with a broad expansion of its investor education programs and media offerings, responding to record client engagement seen across its educational content and live events throughout 2025. The retail trading giant said the enhancements will include more in-person and virtual learning experiences, as well as an expanded programming lineup and new on-air talent at its media affiliate, the Schwab Network.
The move reflects Schwab’s long-standing strategy of positioning education as a core pillar of its client value proposition, particularly as retail investors navigate volatile markets, evolving products, and increasingly complex trading strategies.
“Each new year is an opportunity to reset, and for many investors it begins with setting an intention to deepen their investing knowledge in the year ahead,” said Lorraine Gavican-Kerr, Managing Director of Trader Education at Charles Schwab. “Our education offering at Schwab, which spans a variety of modalities and covers an expansive range of topics, is a great place to do just that.”
Education as a Core Pillar of Schwab’s Strategy
Investor education has long been central to Schwab’s operating model, designed to help clients understand the tools, products, and strategies available to them while managing risk and working toward long-term financial goals. After a year marked by heightened volatility, strong equity performance, and persistent macro uncertainty, Schwab says demand for trusted educational resources reached new highs in 2025.
“On the heels of the record-breaking engagement we saw over the past year, we’ve introduced even more ways for investors to build their confidence and competence as they work towards their goals in 2026,” Gavican-Kerr said.
The firm’s education ecosystem spans thousands of articles and videos, daily market commentary, email newsletters, podcasts, and its quarterly print magazine Onward. Clients also have access to structured learning paths and courses, alongside Schwab Coaching, which delivers approximately 35 hours of live, interactive educational sessions each week covering topics for investors of all experience levels.
Live Events Scale Up After Record Attendance
Schwab reported a sharp rise in interest in its live education events last year, prompting the firm to expand both capacity and geographic reach in 2026. Nearly 1,000 clients attended Schwab’s Dallas Market Drive event in January 2025, with similar turnout recorded in other U.S. cities throughout the year.
In response, Schwab plans to host more conference-style events in additional locations, offering both one-day and two-day formats focused on learning, strategy, and investor community building. Virtual attendance options will continue to be available for clients unable to attend in person.
The events are designed not only to deliver education but also to foster peer interaction, allowing clients to engage directly with Schwab educators, market professionals, and fellow investors.
Paper Trading and Practice at the Center of Learning
To help investors translate theory into practice, Schwab continues to emphasize simulated trading through its paperMoney® platform. Available via client accounts or guest access, the platform allows users to test strategies, explore market scenarios, and build familiarity with tools before deploying real capital.
Schwab says the combination of structured education, live coaching, and simulated execution plays a critical role in helping investors gain confidence without taking unnecessary risk.
This approach has become increasingly relevant as retail participation continues to expand across options, active trading strategies, and multi-asset portfolios.
Schwab Network Revamps Programming and Talent
Alongside its education expansion, Schwab is significantly investing in its media affiliate, the Schwab Network, which introduced a revamped programming lineup and new anchors toward the end of 2025. The network delivers market news, analysis, and commentary across traditional broadcast, digital, and social platforms.
Viewership rose 47% year over year to 58 million in 2025, according to Schwab, with an additional 87.2 million social impressions across platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and Facebook — more than triple the level seen in 2024.
The updated lineup includes “Opening Bell with Nicole Petallides,” broadcast live from the New York Stock Exchange from 9-10 a.m. ET, offering overnight global context during the market open. “Morning Trade Live,” anchored by Sam Vadas from 10-11 a.m. ET, focuses on mid-morning momentum, technical setups, and sector trends.
Market Coverage From Open to Close
Midday programming has also been refreshed, with “Fast Market” airing from 12-1 p.m. ET and now anchored by Diane King Hall. The show delivers intraday market context and analysis aimed at active traders.
To close out the trading day, Sam Vadas and Marley Kayden co-anchor “Market on Close” from 3-4:30 p.m. ET, broadcasting live from Chicago and the New York Stock Exchange. The program blends real-time sentiment, macro insights, and end-of-day market developments.
“Whether they prefer short digital content, more in-depth programs or interviews with market and industry professionals, the Schwab Network delivers content every market day,” the company said.
Social-First Content Targets New Audiences
In addition to long-form programming, Schwab Network has rolled out a slate of social-first digital shorts, including “Vibe Check,” “Main Character,” and “Market Movers.” These segments are designed to make market trends and investing concepts more accessible and engaging, particularly for newer and younger investors.
The content reflects a broader shift across financial media toward shorter, mobile-friendly formats that complement traditional broadcast programming.
The Schwab Network is available free to viewers through Schwab’s trading platforms, its website, major streaming services such as Amazon Fire TV and SLING TV, and via its dedicated mobile app.
Education and Engagement as Competitive Differentiators
As competition intensifies among retail trading platforms, Schwab’s investment in education and media underscores its effort to differentiate through trust, depth, and long-term client engagement rather than transactional pricing alone.
With market participation continuing to broaden and investor behavior evolving, Schwab is betting that education-led engagement will remain a key driver of client loyalty and confidence in 2026 and beyond.
