We are living in a time of great hope. With the end of the pandemic coming into view, there is much to look forward to. Today’s sense of optimism is not just about regaining the freedoms the virus took away, but also about the tremendous opportunity we have to build a better future.

Amid the challenges of the last year and a half, we have seen glimpses of what a better future looks like. The pandemic has repeatedly shown humanity at its finest: compassionate, ingenious, adaptable, resilient and selflessly devoted to the common good. I passionately believe we can use this shared experience to build a kinder society, a more sustainable economy and a healthier planet.

I also have a special reason for my optimism: my conversations with you, our clients. Since I began my new role in April, I have had the privilege of speaking with many of you to learn about your ambitions and endeavors, which became my inspiration for this communication.

Among those of you who have shared your remarkable stories is an entrepreneur whose digital platform has increased access to healthcare for hundreds of millions of people across China, and whose service helped ease suffering during Wuhan’s lockdown. We also heard from an Israeli family whose app is connecting new mothers, helping them to share their joys and overcome the challenges of early motherhood. Enhancing lives through innovative solutions like these is the essence of building a better future. I look forward to sharing these and other stories with you before long.

My mission is to further deepen our commitment to you and your family, supporting and partnering with you to achieve your goals. By continuing to invest in our talent and technology, we aim to help you build a better future. Likewise, our ability to leverage Citi’s global institutional resources enables us to serve all of your family and business interests worldwide.  

We are optimistic about the global economy and markets as we exit the pandemic. This is evident in our Mid-Year Outlook report and webcasts, which I highly encourage you to review. We continue to advise on the opportunities around the unstoppable trends that are transforming healthcare, our use of energy, and our business and consumer lives. COVID has changed the economy in multiple ways, and your portfolio should reflect this.

I look forward to visiting you in the months ahead and to hosting you at our future events! In the meantime, I would like to wish you a joyful summer of relaxation, recreation and reunions. As we enjoy warm days among friends and family, I want to share a very special playlist with you. Music Beyond Borders: Sounds of Summer is curated by Sean Jones, artistic director of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Orchestra Jazz, exclusively for Citi Private Bank. This wonderfully diverse, yet balanced selection of music perfectly captures the spirit of the season.

It is our honor to serve you, your families and your businesses as we strive to build a better future together.

Ida Liu
Global Head of Private Banking