Protection for your securities

We work hard to make Schwab a secure place for your money.

Millions of investors have relied on us for 50 years.

  • 35.3M

    brokerage accounts*

  • US$9.12T

    in total client assets*

  • 400+

    offices worldwide

Your securities are protected at Schwab.

The securities in your Schwab account—including fully paid securities for stocks and bonds and excess margin securities—are segregated in compliance with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's Customer Protection Rule. This is the legal requirement for all U.S. broker-dealers. Your segregated assets are not available to general creditors and are protected against creditors' claims in the unlikely event that a broker-dealer becomes insolvent.

Plus your account has additional protection.

In addition to segregating your securities, we take additional measures to protect you. These measures happen automatically once you become a Schwab client.

  • We’re a member of SIPC.

    We're a member of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), which protects securities customers of its members with coverage of up to US$500,000 (including US$250,000 for claims for cash). To learn more, ask us for an explanatory brochure or visit SIPC's website.

  • We work with Lloyd's of London and other insurers.

    Besides our SIPC protection, we also provide additional brokerage insurance through an agreement with Lloyd's of London and other London insurers.

Protected up to US$600 million

The combined total of our SIPC coverage and our "excess SIPC" coverage means Schwab provides protection up to an aggregate of US$600 million, limited to a combined return of US$150 million per customer, up to US$1.15 million of which may be in cash. This protection becomes available in the event SIPC limits are exhausted. 

For more details on automatic customer account protection, contact us.

Have more questions? We're here to help.