Schwab Stock Plan Services, a leading provider of equity compensation plans, today announced an agreement with eShares, an online equity management platform and the only SEC-registered transfer agent for private companies. The new relationship enables eShares clients to transition their employee equity plans to Schwab’s stock plan administration platform as they prepare to enter the public market.

Using eShares, pre-IPO companies can manage their employees’ equity electronically, making it easier for businesses to track everyone on their capitalization table, while enabling employees to see all their holdings in a single place. At the time of an S-1 filing, eShares clients’ data will automatically transfer onto the Schwab platform, delivering a seamless experience for participants and plan administrators.

“An IPO is an exciting but demanding period in a company’s lifecycle. Our agreement with eShares allows us to lessen the administrative burden that comes with managing an equity compensation plan and to develop a roadmap for a smooth transition through the IPO process and beyond,” said Marc McDonough, vice president of Schwab Stock Plan Services. “eShares is trusted by more than 5,000 of the world’s most valuable private companies including Zenefits, Blue Bottle Coffee and Squarespace, and we are very excited to be able to provide their clients with the resources and expertise they will need once they go public.”

Schwab Stock Plan Services’ innovative online platform minimizes the disruption and workload associated with IPO conversions. Clients including Facebook, Splunk and Twitter trust Schwab Stock Plan Services to administer their employee stock plans effectively while providing employees with the education, guidance, and support they need to take full advantage of their equity award benefits.

“Our clients expect a great user experience and depend on our online platform to securely monitor and track the value of their equity. In working with Schwab, we are confident that companies heading toward an IPO will be provided with the robust participant experience and equity compensation expertise that their employees will need,” said Henry Ward, founder and CEO at eShares.

About Charles Schwab

At Charles Schwab we believe in the power of investing to help individuals create a better tomorrow. We have a history of challenging the status quo in our industry, innovating in ways that benefit investors and the advisors and employers who serve them, and championing our clients’ goals with passion and integrity.

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About eShares

eShares is the first and only SEC-registered Transfer Agent for private companies. Our online platform allows companies—from seed stage to pre-IPO—to manage equity electronically with the participation of their shareholders, employees, auditors, and legal counsel.

Our mission is to consolidate private company ownership onto one common electronic registry, and bring a wealth of financial services—previously reserved only for public companies—to all privately held companies. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Disclosures

Through its operating subsidiaries, The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE: SCHW) provides a full range of securities brokerage, banking, money management and financial advisory services to individual investors and independent investment advisors. Its broker-dealer subsidiary, Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab” member SIPC, www.sipc.org), and affiliates offer a complete range of investment services and products including an extensive selection of mutual funds; financial planning and investment advice; retirement plan and equity compensation plan services; compliance and trade monitoring solutions; referrals to independent fee-based investment advisors; and custodial, operational and trading support for independent, fee-based investment advisors through Schwab Advisor Services. Its banking subsidiary, Charles Schwab Bank (member FDIC and an Equal Housing Lender), provides banking and lending services and products. More information is available at www.schwab.com and www.aboutschwab.com.

Schwab Stock Plan Services provides equity compensation plan services and other financial services to corporations and executives through Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., a registered broker/dealer, offers brokerage and custody services to its customers.

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© 2017 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. Member SIPC.