Scottrade’s Jonathan Yao Named Among Most Influential Business Leaders in St. Louis

Director of Asia Pacific Services credited for bringing online trading to Scottrade’s Chinese-speaking customers in U.S. and Asia



St. Louis.– Jonathan Yao, Scottrade Director of Asia Pacific Services, has been named one of the 2007 Most Influential Minority Business Leaders by the St. Louis Business Journal. The award honors 25 people based on their career achievements and community involvement.



“I am honored to be named to this list and included with other business leaders who have made a positive impact in St. Louis and in the business community,” Yao said. “Leading Scottrade’s Asia Pacific division and being able to provide investing services for our Chinese customers has been a rewarding experience. We plan to continue meeting the needs of our clients by continuing to develop additional products and services, for our clients in the U.S. as well as internationally.”



Yao established Scottrade’s Asia Pacific division in 2001 to help Scottrade better serve its Chinese-speaking customers. The company’s Asia Pacific division began with a Chinese-language version of Scottrade’s trading platform and Web site, http://chinese.scottrade.com, and an Asia Pacific Service Center. Two years later, under Yao’s leadership, Scottrade launched its international efforts, opening Scottrade to residents in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.



Today, Scottrade has more than 50 Chinese-speaking associates at 33 branch offices across the country. In addition, five of Scottrade’s branch offices in New York and California are dedicated solely to the Asia Pacific market.



“Jonathan has done a great job understanding the diversity of our customers and reaching out to meet their needs,” said Rodger Riney, Scottrade founder, president and CEO. “Scottrade’s Asia Pacific division has flourished under Jonathan’s leadership and has been extremely important in our goal to provide exceptional customer service to all our clients.”



Yao will be recognized at a luncheon Sept. 14 at the Chase Park Plaza. The Most Influential Minority Business Leaders will also be featured in a special section of the St. Louis Business Journal on Sept. 14.