

Charles Schwab vs BBVA
Large discount broker with banking and wealth management vs Spanish bank with international operations in Spain and Mexico. Which is the better buy for your portfolio in September 2026? Plain-English answer below.
Charles Schwab has built a vertically integrated U.S. financial services giant combining brokerage, banking, asset management, and advisor services into a scale-driven platform that monetizes client assets, while BBVA is a Spanish multinational bank with dominant franchises in Mexico, Spain, and Turkey, earning most of its profit from developing-market retail and commercial banking. Both companies compete for the loyalty of retail and institutional clients in financial services, though their geographies and business models create very different risk and growth profiles. Charles Schwab vs BBVA shows what drives returns when a U.S. platform business and a global emerging-market banking franchise both pursue the same customer relationship but through entirely different lenses.
Charles Schwab has built a vertically integrated U.S. financial services giant combining brokerage, banking, asset management, and advisor services into a scale-driven platform that monetizes client a...
Why It’s Moving

Schwab Shares Face Pressure as Vanguard-Backed AI Threat Emerges, Despite Record Asset Inflows
- Investors reacted negatively to news that one of Schwab's biggest competitive threats has been acquired by Vanguard, triggering a technical sell signal on the stock.
- The firm reported record core net new assets of $64.8 billion in August, bringing total client assets to $13.41 trillion, indicating continued platform strength despite market headwinds.
- A CNBC 'Final Trades' segment featured a pick for Charles Schwab by Gilman Hill Asset Management CEO Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, suggesting some institutional confidence remains amidst the volatility.

BBVA Leadership Highlights Strategic Priorities at Major Financial Conference
- Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) participated in the Bank of America 31st Annual Financials CEO Conference.
- The company presented a transcript detailing management's perspective on current market conditions and corporate strategy.
- This appearance serves as a key touchpoint for institutional investors assessing the bank's long-term positioning.

Schwab Shares Face Pressure as Vanguard-Backed AI Threat Emerges, Despite Record Asset Inflows
- Investors reacted negatively to news that one of Schwab's biggest competitive threats has been acquired by Vanguard, triggering a technical sell signal on the stock.
- The firm reported record core net new assets of $64.8 billion in August, bringing total client assets to $13.41 trillion, indicating continued platform strength despite market headwinds.
- A CNBC 'Final Trades' segment featured a pick for Charles Schwab by Gilman Hill Asset Management CEO Jenny Van Leeuwen Harrington, suggesting some institutional confidence remains amidst the volatility.

BBVA Leadership Highlights Strategic Priorities at Major Financial Conference
- Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria, S.A. (BBVA) participated in the Bank of America 31st Annual Financials CEO Conference.
- The company presented a transcript detailing management's perspective on current market conditions and corporate strategy.
- This appearance serves as a key touchpoint for institutional investors assessing the bank's long-term positioning.
Investment Analysis

Charles Schwab
SCHW
Pros
- Delivered record revenue and earnings in 2025, with 27% year-over-year growth in net revenues and 70% growth in adjusted earnings per share in the most recent quarter.
- Attracted over $137 billion in core net new assets and more than 1 million new brokerage accounts for the fourth consecutive quarter, reflecting robust client acquisition.
- Maintained a strong pre-tax profit margin above 49%, supported by disciplined expense management and a diversified, client-driven business model.
Considerations
- Substantial reliance on interest rate-sensitive revenue streams exposes earnings to volatility if central bank policies shift unexpectedly.
- Recent share buybacks, while returning capital, may limit flexibility for larger strategic investments or acquisitions in the near term.
- Operational complexity and regulatory scrutiny remain heightened in the US wealth management and banking sectors, posing ongoing compliance risks.

BBVA
BBVA
Pros
- Exhibits strong profitability metrics with a P/E ratio below sector average and a PEG ratio signalling potential for earnings growth at a reasonable price.
- Benefits from a well-diversified geographic footprint across Spain, Mexico, Turkey, and emerging markets, providing revenue stability and growth optionality.
- Invested heavily in digital banking channels, enhancing customer acquisition and operational efficiency, particularly in its core European and Latin American markets.
Considerations
- Analyst consensus suggests limited near-term upside for the share price, reflecting subdued growth expectations relative to global peers.
- Exposure to emerging markets introduces currency, political, and economic risks that may not be fully priced into current valuations.
- Revenue growth in recent quarters, while solid, has not matched the explosive pace of some fintech or US-centric universal banks, potentially weighing on rerating potential.
Charles Schwab (SCHW) Next Earnings Date
Charles Schwab (SCHW) is expected to report its next earnings on October 15, 2026, before the market opens. The report will cover the third quarter of 2026, ending September 30. The date aligns with the company’s established mid-October reporting pattern.
BBVA (BBVA) Next Earnings Date
BBVA’s next earnings date is scheduled for October 29, 2026. The release will cover the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ended September 30. This timing is consistent with BBVA’s historical pattern of reporting third-quarter results in late October.
Charles Schwab (SCHW) Next Earnings Date
Charles Schwab (SCHW) is expected to report its next earnings on October 15, 2026, before the market opens. The report will cover the third quarter of 2026, ending September 30. The date aligns with the company’s established mid-October reporting pattern.
BBVA (BBVA) Next Earnings Date
BBVA’s next earnings date is scheduled for October 29, 2026. The release will cover the third quarter of fiscal 2026, ended September 30. This timing is consistent with BBVA’s historical pattern of reporting third-quarter results in late October.
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