AllianceBernstein's RIA sales surge over 100% in first year of dedicated coverage

Sales within AllianceBernstein’s unit for RIAs surged 113% in 2024 since its dedicated RIA services debuted in 2023. The business’s sales have also grown 35% year to date in 2025, the investment firm with over $700 billion in assets under management told InvestmentNews.

“Our RIA business has grown tremendously. That's why we created dedicated coverage. When we launch new products, the first wave of money is always from the RIA community,” Onur Erzan, head of private wealth management and head of global client group at AllianceBernstein, said at the firm’s Hudson Yards office in New York.  

“We also have robust relationships with some of the RIA aggregators that have been growing through private equity capital, and hence I think a high growth area for us,” he said.

AllianceBernstein formed its fee-based RIA coverage model in 2023. In 2024 the practice grew to nine team members led by head of strategic relationship group Michael Capella and head of RIA & bank-trust Russ Corby. Its sales to RIAs and independent advisors span investment products, allocation recommendations, practice management and client relationship support.

“Some advisors might say, okay, what do you guys think about the impact of tariffs? Should we go lighter on US equities and go heavier on the international equity exposure? And we have portfolio strategists that can engage with the advisor on those macro questions,” Erzan said.

RIA services from AllianceBernstein are offered through its national account tier and separate local level tier across four regions (East, West, South, Central). 

AllianceBerstein’s Alternatives platform has $75 billion in private markets AUM as of Q1 2025. The firm launched its first interval fund (ABAYX) last September to invest in a mix of public and private credit across the US and Europe including aircraft leasing, specialty finance, and energy transition investments. “We are strong believers in the staying power of private credit strategies,” Erzan said. 

Energy investment decisions stand to be impacted by President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” heading to the Senate. The bill would cut existing clean energy tax credits for consumers buying electric vehicles and add a new $250 annual fee for EV drivers.

“If there's a massive change in the clean energy tax credits, that's another area to think about. Because if it makes the cost of some energy transition projects higher and makes them economically less attractive, that might impact some of our product strategies,” said Erzan.