Manulife WAM Launches Global Team to Push Alternatives to Retail Advisors
Event summary
- Manulife Wealth & Asset Management (WAM) launched a global Alternative Investments Specialists team on April 21, 2026, led by Jeffrey Lindenbaum and David Vincent.
- The team will work directly with financial advisors to distribute alternative credit, real assets, private equity, and private credit strategies.
- Four regional Alternative Investments Consultants will be hired across key U.S. markets.
- Manulife WAM offers a broad set of alternative investment options, including infrastructure, real estate, private credit, private equity, timberland, and agriculture.
The big picture
Manulife WAM's move underscores the growing demand for alternative investments among high-net-worth clients seeking portfolio diversification beyond traditional public markets. The firm's global scale and diverse private markets capabilities position it to compete with other asset managers expanding into the alternatives space. This strategic priority reflects broader industry trends toward institutional-quality solutions for retail investors.
What we're watching
- Advisor Adoption
- How effectively the new team can drive adoption of alternative investments among retail advisors and high-net-worth clients.
- Competitive Positioning
- Whether Manulife WAM can differentiate itself in the crowded alternatives space by leveraging its global scale and deep investment expertise.
- Regulatory Scrutiny
- The pace at which regulatory scrutiny of alternative investments may impact distribution strategies and advisor engagement.