Welcome back to the Alt Goes Mainstream podcast.
Today’s episode is with Alex Chaloff, the CIO of a large and sophisticated private wealth management firm that is very active in private markets.
Alex is Chief Investment Officer of Bernstein’s $125B+ private wealth management unit within $725B AUM AllianceBernstein. He was previously the Head of Alternative Asset Strategies. Prior to joining Bernstein in 2005, he was a MD for Wilshire Associates, serving on the firm’s investment committee. Prior to that, he worked in fund accounting operations at a global custodian in Boston.
Alex and I had a fascinating conversation about:
- How to approach private markets asset allocation.
- Why he’s doing the job that he always wanted to do.
- How to think about portfolio construction.
- The importance of patience.
- The questions about liquidity.
- Why structure matters.
Thanks Alex for coming on the show to share your wisdom and views.
A word from AGM podcast sponsor, Ultimus Fund Solutions
This episode of Alt Goes Mainstream is brought to you by Ultimus Fund Solutions, a leading full-service fund administrator for asset managers in private and public markets. As private markets continue to move into the mainstream, the industry requires infrastructure solutions that help funds and investors keep pace. In an increasingly sophisticated financial marketplace, investment managers must navigate a growing array of challenges: elaborate fund structures, specialized strategies, evolving compliance requirements, a growing need for sophisticated reporting, and intensifying demands for transparency.
To assist with these challenging opportunities, more and more fund sponsors and asset managers are turning to Ultimus, a leading service provider that blends high tech and high touch in unique and customized fund administration and middle office solutions for a diverse and growing universe of over 450 clients and 1,800 funds, representing $500 billion assets under administration, all handled by a team of over 1,000 professionals. Ultimus offers a wide range of capabilities across registered funds, private funds and public plans, as well as outsourced middle office services. Delivering operational excellence, Ultimus helps firms manage the ever-changing regulatory environment while meeting the needs of their institutional and retail investors. Ultimus provides comprehensive operational support and fund governance services to help managers successfully launch retail alternative products.
Visit www.ultimusfundsolutions.com to learn more about Ultimus’ technology enhanced services and solutions or contact Ultimus Executive Vice President of Business Development Gary Harris on email at gharris@ultimusfundsolutions.com.
We thank Ultimus for their support of alts going mainstream.
Show Notes
00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message
01:18 Podcast Theme Song
01:35 Welcome to the Podcast
01:59 Introducing Alex Chaloff
03:01 Alex Chaloff's Career Jurney
03:49 Transition to Bernstein
04:16 Current Role and Responsibilities
05:26 Investment Strategy and Market Insights
06:58 Active vs Passive Investment
11:35 Middle Market Focus
14:26 Evaluating Fund Managers
18:28 Lessons Learned in Fund Management
20:51 Allocating to Private Markets
22:38 Liquidity and Risk Management
27:01 Current Market Opportunities
31:01 The Perception of Infrequent Reporting
31:38 Private Wealth and Market Fluctuations
32:21 Understanding Liquidity Concerns
32:54 The Future of Private Market Investments
33:38 Challenges in Public Market Benchmarks
34:45 GP and LP Dynamics in Private Markets
36:58 Product Innovation in Private Markets
38:30 Evergreen Structures and Asset Allocation
39:20 Vintage Diversification Strategy
42:07 Lessons from the Current Market Cycle
42:30 Next Generation Investors and Impact Investing
46:13 Double Bottom Line Investing
48:24 Concerns in Private Debt Markets
51:33 Opportunities in Venture Capital
54:36 Favorite Alternative Investments and Future Trends
Alt Goes Mainstream: The Latest on Alternative Investments, WealthTech, & Private Markets