In 1956, he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Economics from New York University where he was a member of the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi.

[6][7][8] In the 1960s, Zalman left Oppenheimer, eventually starting his own firm with two partners, and soon after hired Bernstein as a salesman.

Zalman was able to convince former Oppenheimer associates, Shepard D. Osherow, Roger Hertog, Lewis A. Sanders, and Shelly Lawrence to join his firm.

[10] Sanford C. Bernstein's assets under management grew to over $80 billion from more than 25,000 private and institutional clients.

Bernstein is involved in charitable work of various kinds, including Seeds of Peace,[15] The Seeing Eye, and K-9 Companions.