The iPad app lets users keep up with market information by automatically updating quotes and the latest financial news through the app. The app is available for free download in Apple’s App Store.

“Our goal is to continue offering the most comprehensive mobile platform in the industry,” said Jennifer Davis, spokeswoman for Charles Schwab, San Francisco.

“As our clients increasingly use their mobile devices for banking and investing,  we plan to stay one step ahead of the curve and provide tools that meet our clients’ evolving needs,” she said.

Charles Schwab is a provider of financial services, with more than 300 offices and 8.5 million client brokerage accounts, 1.5 million corporate retirement plan participants, 777,000 banking accounts, and $1.67 trillion in client assets as of Nov. 30.

Bank on mobile
Via the Charles Schwab app, clients can execute trades in their brokerage accounts, view up to 24 months of brokerage or Schwab Bank transaction history and obtain full-page quotes with charts.

Additionally, users can find the nearest branch using the Schwab Branch Locator feature and stay on top of the latest news on their investments.

Schwab clients will also be able to check the balance of Schwab-administered 401(k)s, stock option plans and Schwab 529 college savings plans.

“The new iPad app gives investors another way to interact with their finances and take advantage of the iPad’s unique features, including larger charts that allow for more detail and interactivity and the ability to display summary and detailed information all at the same time,” Ms. Davis said.

“We used the additional screen space to add a scrolling quick quote bar at the bottom of every screen,” she said.

Past efforts
Earlier this year, Charles Schwab further cemented its position in the mobile banking space via an iPhone app that lets clients deposit checks remotely by simply taking a photo of it (see story).

The company also plans to add a number of new updates to its existing mobile apps in early 2012.

“As a full-service firm, our goal at Schwab is to provide our clients with choice when it comes to their preferred method of interaction, including mobile,” Ms. Davis said.

“Our data shows that people actually like to interact with their financial service provider through multiple channels – online, via phone, via mobile device and in person,” she said.

Final Take
Rimma Kats is staff reporter on Mobile Commerce Daily, New York