Michael Townsend

As Managing Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, Michael is Charles Schwab's Washington-based political analyst. With more than 28 years of Washington experience, he analyzes legislative, regulatory and political developments to determine how they would affect individual investors, retirement plan participants and investment advisers.
Michael is the host of Schwab's WashingtonWise podcast, which explores the intersection between policy, politics, the markets and the economy. He is a featured speaker at dozens of employee, client, adviser and industry events each year, where he discusses the impact of the political and policy environment in Washington on investors and the capital markets.
Prior to joining Schwab in 2000, Michael worked at Powell Tate, Inc., a Washington, D.C., public affairs firm, and previously worked for two U.S. senators from Maine.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (member SIPC), a subsidiary of the Charles Schwab Corporation, offers investment services and products, including Schwab brokerage accounts.