AllianceBernstein announces Onur Erzan as President

Rhea-AI Summary

AllianceBernstein (NYSE: AB) announced that Onur Erzan was appointed President effective January 5, 2026.

Erzan will partner with CEO Seth Bernstein to oversee AB's business transformation, lead strategy and corporate development, and continue to run Private Wealth Management, Global Asset Management Distribution and Global Private Alternatives—roles he assumed in Fall 2025. He will serve as Chair of the AB Operating Committee and remains a member of the Equitable Holdings Management Committee. Erzan joined AB in January 2021 after 20 years at McKinsey and played a key role expanding AB's distribution, ETFs, insurance asset-management vertical, and retirement income solutions.

Positive

• Appointment effective Jan 5, 2026
• Retains leadership of Private Wealth, Global Distribution, Private Alternatives
• Assumes Strategy and Corporate Development responsibilities
• Named Chair of the AB Operating Committee
• Member of the Equitable Holdings Management Committee
• Prior 20 years at McKinsey, senior partner experience

Negative

• None.

Key Figures

Appointment effective date Jan 5, 2026 Onur Erzan named President effective this date

McKinsey tenure 20 years Time Onur Erzan spent at McKinsey & Company

Joined AB January 2021 Onur Erzan’s joining date at AB

Role expansion timing Fall 2025 When Erzan assumed leadership of key AB businesses

Market Reality Check

$38.40 Last Close

Volume Volume 170,742 vs 20-day average 206,616 (relative volume 0.83 pre-announcement). normal

Technical Price 38.64 was trading below the 200-day MA of 39.56 before this news.

Peers on Argus

Before the announcement, AB was up 0.42% while key asset-management peers showed mixed but generally positive moves (e.g., FHI +0.69%, VCTR +1.2%, APAM +1.79%, CNS +1.61%, ATCO flat). No momentum scanner signals were flagged for peers.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 15	ETF launch	Positive	-0.1%	Launch of actively managed AB US Equity ETF XCHG on NYSE.
Dec 15	Correction notice	Neutral	-0.1%	Correction clarifying details on newly launched AB US Equity ETF.
Dec 10	AUM update	Negative	-1.1%	Reported AUM decline to <b>$865B</b> driven by institutional outflows.
Nov 25	Conference participation	Neutral	+2.2%	CEO participation in Goldman Sachs 2025 US Financial Services Conference.
Nov 11	AUM update	Positive	+0.1%	Reported AUM increase to <b>$869B</b>, a <b>1%</b> month‑end rise.

Pattern Detected

News-driven moves have mostly aligned with fundamentals, with product-launch news on Dec 15, 2025 showing a slight negative divergence despite constructive content.

Recent Company History

Over the past few months, AB has focused on product expansion and asset trends. On Nov 11, 2025, it reported AUM of $869B, a 1% month‑end increase, followed by a modest decline to $865B AUM as of Nov 30, 2025. The firm also launched the AB US Equity ETF (XCHG), expanding its U.S. ETF lineup to 23 ETFs and just over $13B in AUM. The current leadership appointment fits this broader narrative of product and distribution expansion.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a leadership transition, with Onur Erzan appointed President effective Jan 5, 2026, while retaining oversight of private wealth, distribution, and alternatives. It follows months of product expansion, including new ETFs, and recent AUM updates around $865–869B. Investors may monitor how this expanded role influences AB’s business mix, asset growth, and strategic initiatives across private wealth, global distribution, and corporate development.

Key Terms

private wealth management financial

"Erzan will continue to lead AB's Private Wealth Management, Global Asset..."

A personalized service that helps wealthy individuals manage and grow their money by combining investment advice, tax and estate planning, retirement strategy, and risk management. It matters to investors because it tailors a long-term plan to protect and increase assets—like having a financial concierge who builds a custom roadmap and selects investments and safeguards that fit your goals and life circumstances, rather than using one-size-fits-all advice.

exchange-traded funds financial

"including the launch of its active exchange-traded funds business, the..."

An exchange-traded fund is an investment product that bundles many stocks, bonds, or other assets into a single package that trades on a stock exchange like an individual share; think of it as a ready-made basket you can buy or sell throughout the trading day. For investors it matters because ETFs provide easy access to broad exposure, typically lower costs and built-in diversification, and the ability to adjust positions quickly without buying each asset separately.

ultra-high-net-worth financial

"implemented client-segment-specific strategies, providing tailored offerings for ultra-high-net-worth clients."

Individuals or households with exceptionally large total wealth and investable assets, often far above ordinary high-net-worth levels; exact dollar cutoffs vary by region but are commonly measured in the tens of millions. They matter to investors because their buying, selling and capital allocation can move markets, create demand for specialized financial products and private deals, and shape fundraising; think of them as a few very large ships whose movements affect the whole harbor.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Jan. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AllianceBernstein Holding L.P. (NYSE: AB) and AllianceBernstein L.P. ("AB"), a leading global investment management firm and a subsidiary of Equitable Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EQH), announced that Onur Erzan has been appointed President of AB ("President"), effective today.

As President, he will partner with CEO Seth Bernstein to oversee the transformation of AB's business and prioritization of strategic initiatives, while developing new and innovative solutions and value-added services to respond to evolving client needs. Erzan will continue to lead AB's Private Wealth Management, Global Asset Management Distribution and Global Private Alternatives businesses, which he assumed in Fall 2025. In addition, Erzan will assume responsibility for AB's Strategy and Corporate Development functions.

"This is a pivotal moment for AB," said AB's CEO Seth Bernstein. "Onur's appointment to President underscores his criticality to AB and Equitable Holdings, and his strong connections both within the firm and across the industry. Onur has built a robust and effective distribution business through his commitment to our clients. He has a passion for winning and a strong belief in identifying key success factors for our business and future success."

In asset management, Erzan has shaped and executed AB's global distribution strategy and has played a pivotal role in expanding AB into new business areas, including the launch of its active exchange-traded funds business, the creation of an integrated insurance asset-management vertical and the enhancement of retirement income solutions.

In private wealth, Erzan has implemented client-segment-specific strategies, providing tailored offerings for ultra-high-net-worth clients. Under his leadership, the wealth advisor force has continued to expand, and he has been instrumental in strengthening external partnerships with banking institutions and international custodians, enhancing AB's global reach and client service capabilities.

"Since joining AB, I've been inspired by our colleagues in offices around the world, our firm's commitment to innovation, and our collective passion to ensure client success," said AB's President Onur Erzan. "I'm honored to step into the role of President and look forward to charting the firm's future alongside Seth."

Onur remains a member of the Equitable Holdings Management Committee and will now serve as Chair of the AB Operating Committee. Prior to joining AB in January 2021, Onur spent 20 years with McKinsey & Company, most recently as a Senior Partner and co-leader of its Wealth & Asset Management practice.

For more information and to learn more about Onur, click here to read his bio. 

About AllianceBernstein

AllianceBernstein is a leading global investment management firm that offers diversified investment services to institutional investors, individuals, and private wealth clients in major world markets. As of November 30, 2025, AllianceBernstein had $865 billion in assets under management. Additional information about AB may be found on our website, www.alliancebernstein.com.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alliancebernstein-announces-onur-erzan-as-president-302652327.html

SOURCE AllianceBernstein

FAQ

Who is the new President of AllianceBernstein (AB) as of January 5, 2026?

Onur Erzan was appointed President of AllianceBernstein effective January 5, 2026.

What roles will Onur Erzan keep after his appointment as AB President?

He will continue to lead Private Wealth Management, Global Asset Management Distribution, and Global Private Alternatives.

What additional responsibilities does Onur Erzan take on at AB starting January 2026?

He assumes responsibility for Strategy and Corporate Development and will chair the AB Operating Committee.

How long has Onur Erzan been with AllianceBernstein before becoming President?

Onur Erzan joined AllianceBernstein in January 2021 and became President on January 5, 2026.

What is Onur Erzan’s professional background prior to joining AB?

He spent 20 years at McKinsey, most recently as a senior partner and co-leader of Wealth & Asset Management.

How will Onur Erzan work with AB’s CEO after his appointment?

He will partner with CEO Seth Bernstein to oversee business transformation and prioritize strategic initiatives.