The Blended Coproduction Experience

Charles Schwab Corp. is trying a blended solution for DIY customers (WSJ, 7/5/05, D2). Long known for enabling individual investors to do investing themselves, Schwab over the past few years has pushed the other way -- in terms of offering more financial advisor/money manager services for customers who got tired of doing it themselves.

The service -- aimed at "emerging affluents" -- provides investors a list of "vetted" stocks and mutual funds from which to choose. Customers are still doing do-it-yourself investing, but Schwab is reducing the complexity in terms of investment choices. Advice and counseling is available if the investor desires such services.

An interesting solution in a very complex industry.