Charles Schwab added 142,000 brokerage accounts in October, a 31% surge from September boosted by its elimination of trading commission fees. Schwab's October 1 announcement of slashed trading fees led many analysts to expect greater pressure on the brokerage's earnings. Commission fees represent a key revenue stream for the company, but the firm's namesake founder said the change would bring in investors who wouldn't have done business with Schwab otherwise. "From day one, my passion has been to make investing easier and more affordable for everyone," Chairman Charles Schwab said in an October 1 press release. ... (full story)