iM Global Partner, a leading global asset management network, has made another landmark alliance in its US expansion by entering a partnership with Richard Bernstein Advisors (RBA). The firm acquired a 45% non-controlling stake in RBA as of July 28, 2021.
RBA is a renowned New York-based asset allocation specialist founded in 2009 by Richard Bernstein. With $14.6bn in assets under management and advisement as of June 2021, RBA is one of the largest and most successful independent firms among asset allocation specialists globally. RBA manages ETF-based asset allocation SMA (Separately Managed Accounts) portfolios for many industry-leading wealth management and Registered Investment Advisors (RIA) platforms in addition to sub-advising several mutual funds, unit trusts, and ETFs.
RBA is unique in its “top-down” research approach, which combines proprietary, macroeconomic research with quantitative analysis. Its disciplined, fundamentally driven and time-tested investment process seeks to uncover global cyclical and secular investment themes with the aim of providing superior, risk-adjusted returns. Constructed portfolios focus on allocating assets across various countries, sectors, sizes and styles to generate alpha, while minimizing the security selection risk.
The team of investment personnel is highly experienced with an average 27-years in the industry. The most senior Investment Committee members worked together prior to the formation of RBA and this history allows for a consistently applied and robust investment process. They will continue to run operations independently and manage portfolios using the same philosophy and approach developed in 2009, as is the case with all Partners of iM Global Partner.
Deal accelerates iMGP’s US expansion
The partnership is a major milestone in iM Global Partner’s US strategic expansion. The worldwide network now includes several leading firms in the U.S including: Polen Capital, Dolan McEniry, Scharf Investments and Litman Gregory. The addition of RBA with its strong distribution and visibility among leading wealth management platforms deepens iM Global Partner’s footprint in the US market and reinforces the firm’s commitment to growth.
“This is the formation of a very powerful symbiotic relationship between iM Global Partner and RBA. iM Global Partner’s proven European institutional distribution and offshore capabilities will expand RBA’s investor base globally, whereas RBA’s broad US visibility will significantly enhance iM Global Partner’s rapidly growing presence in the US.”
Richard Bernstein, CEO, CIO and Founder of Richard Bernstein Advisors
“RBA is a great addition to our network of Partners and their expertise is unanimously recognized in the US. RBA will bring our clients around the world outstanding expertise in asset allocation portfolios with a unique top-down macro approach that has proven its high efficiency in all phases of the market cycle. The partnership not only demonstrates the scale and vision of our global network, but also underlines our deep commitment to the US market.”
Philippe Couvrecelle, CEO and Founder of iM Global Partner
