Ida Liu
Ida Liu | |
|---|---|
| Born | Orinda, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Banking executive |
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Known for | Global Head at Citi Private Bank (2021–2025); leadership in diversity and inclusion initiatives |
Ida Liu (Chinese: 劉宏敏) is a Chinese American executive in banking who held the position of Global Head at Citi Private Bank from April 2021 until February 2025. Prior to this global role, she managed Citi Private Bank's operations in North America.
Early life and education
Growing up in Orinda, California with parents who spoke Mandarin, Liu graduated with honors from Wellesley College earning a B.A., and later completed an Executive MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. She is proficient in both Mandarin and Spanish.
Early career
Liu launched her professional journey in 1998 as an investment banker specializing in mergers and acquisitions at BT Wolfensohn, now integrated into Deutsche Bank. In 1999, she transitioned to Merrill Lynch’s investment banking division, working across New York and Hong Kong, concentrating on transactions involving China and Taiwan within the technology, media, and telecommunications industries.
By 2004, Liu advanced to become Global Head of Sales, Marketing, and Business Development at womenswear designer Vivienne Tam. During her tenure, she introduced the Vivienne Tam Dress collection and opened flagship retail locations throughout China.
Citi Private Bank
Joining Citi Private Bank in 2007, Liu established and led the Fashion, Retail, and Entertainment Group. Four years later, she initiated Citi Private Bank's North America Asian Clients Group and was appointed Global Market Manager for New York in 2016.
Her leadership trajectory continued upward with a promotion in 2019 to oversee Private Banking across North America. In 2021, she assumed the role of Global Head of Private Banking.
Diversity and inclusion
Liu is a committed advocate for workplace diversity, inclusion, and gender equity. Since November 2021, she has co-led Citi’s Asian Heritage Affinity group and has delivered keynote addresses on AAPI inclusivity at the Milken Institute Global Conference.
She contributed to the Citi Women Steering Committee aimed at recruiting, nurturing, promoting, and retaining female talent company-wide. Additionally, Liu chaired Citi Women’s global International Women’s Day events.
External board memberships
Liu holds trustee and board member roles with the Asia Society. She acts as senior recruitment sponsor for Wellesley College—her alma mater—where she formerly served on the Alumnae Association board.
As a Young Global Leader selected by the World Economic Forum, Liu represented Citi among five delegates at Davos in 2019 to discuss worldwide finance and investment developments. She is also affiliated with The Committee of 100 and the Young Presidents' Organization.
Personal life
Daughter of Peter Yeau-Hwan Liu, founder and chairman of WI Harper Group and a distinguished venture capitalist, Ida Liu has attended the World Economic Forum in Davos alongside her father.
She is married and has two children.
Awards and honors
Since 2020, Liu has consistently been recognized by Barron's as one of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance as well as among the top 10 Most Influential Women in Wealth Management.
American Banker has listed her annually since 2020 among its 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance.
She appeared on Crain's Notable Women on Wall Street lists for both 2021 and 2022, along with inclusion in Crain’s 40 Under 40.
Between 2007 and 2014, Liu earned the Citi Chairman's Council Award six years consecutively as a leading performer within the firm.
In 2023, she was honored with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
In 2025, Liu was invested as a Dame of the Royal Order of Francis I, recognizing her significant contributions to her profession and community.