Yvonne Yiu

Yvonne Yiu was born in Hong Kong. She earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1993, an MBA in finance from Loyola Marymount University in 1995, and a degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School, in 2012. Her career experience includes working in the business and finance sector and as a television news anchor.[1] Yiu was elected as a city councilor of Monterey Park, California, in March 2020.[2][3]

Yvonne Yiu did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

Yvonne Yiu did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

No one understands finance like I do. As a successful business and finance professional, with extensive experience in financial management and investment, I opened my own firm, with over $1 billion in assets under management – all before the age of 40. I previously served as a financial advisor at Charles Schwab and Citibank, Branch Manager at E*Trade and as a Regional Manager at Merrill Lynch where I oversaw 5 international branches, 53 financial advisors and $4 billion in assets.

I earned my BA degree in Economics from UCLA and my MBA in Finance from Loyola Marymount University. I completed the Certified Regulatory and Compliance Professional Program through the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and holds 12 FINRA Securities Licenses as well serving as a FINRA Arbitrator.

Following the death of my father, my family immigrated to the United States from Hong Kong when I was 16 years old. I’ve has never forgotten the difficulties my mother faced trying to raise three daughters on her own.

As State Controller, I will safeguard California’s finances, ensure that we root out government waste, and work to make the American dream accessible to everyone.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I recognize the importance of transparency and accountability when it comes to public monies. At my investment firm, I performed internal audits and prepared large audits annually for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the State of California. As Controller, I will be aggressive about utilizing the Controller’s auditing authority to root out waste and save taxpayers money. I will also ensure accountability and transparency in government and the state’s finances through improved technology and online communication.I will use innovative technologies and utilize social media to get our economy back on track following the pandemic as we work to close the economic gap between the rich and poor. I will help ensure our schools have the resources to reopen safely and that small businesses have the support they need while providing job training and opportunity for those who have been out of work. I will also develop programs to help people achieve economic security and close the economic gap.I want to create an Office of Financial Empowerment, with the specific mission of teaching people financial literacy, especially for young people, immigrants, and people like my mom, on how to manage a household budget, save for education and ensure a secure retirement future. Our youth need to be prepared to make good decisions, so they are not saddled with student loan debts. I also want Californians to know about programs like CalSavers, which gives workers whose employers don’t offer retirement plans the ability to save for retirement without having to pay excessive fees. I’m passionate about ensuring every family has the tools and resources they need to make good financial decisions.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I came to the US from Hong Kong at the age of 16 following the death of my father. I will never forget the struggles my mom faced raising 3 daughters on her own. I know firsthand the impact that understanding finances can have on someone’s life.

That’s why I want to create an Office of Financial Empowerment with the specific mission of teaching people financial literacy, especially for young people, immigrants & people like my mom how to manage a household budget, save for education & ensure a secure retirement future. Our youth need to be prepared to make good decisions, so they are not saddled with student loan debt. I also want Californians to know about programs like CalSavers which gives workers whose employers don’t offer retirement plans the ability to save for retirement without having to pay excessive fees. I'm passionate about ensuring every family has the tools & resources they need to make good financial decisions.

I also want to be aggressive about utilizing the Controller’s auditing authority to root out waste & save taxpayers money. As Monterey Park Mayor I used my understanding of municipal bonds to refinance a pension bond & ultimately saved the city $55 million.

As Controller I will also work to up our state’s game when it comes to technology, not just to make the Controller’s office run its various programs & responsibilities more effectively, but to increase transparency so that people can have a better understanding about the state's finances.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The State Controller is the chief fiscal officer for the state and is responsible for the transparent and accountable disbursement of California’s financial resources. The State Controller also oversees financial reporting and auditing of publicly funded programs, safeguards Californians’ unclaimed property, and executes payroll for the 235,000 employees who make up California’s essential public workforce.

In addition, the State Controller serves on 70 boards and commissions including CalPERS and CalSTRS, the nation’s two largest public pension plans, the State Lands Commission, California Education Facilities Authority and State Public Works Board.

The Controller also has a hand in a wide spectrum of policy issues ranging from Children’s hospitals, purchasing homes for veterans, and ensuring Californians are prepared for natural disasters through her participation in several finance committees for voter approved general obligation bonds.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Integrity, professionalism, and speaking with your heart.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A first generation immigrant achieved the American Dream, becoming the first immigrant elected State Controller.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Mulan.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

As the state’s chief fiscal officer, the State Controller has a real platform to impact many of the most important issues facing California. I believe our Controller must be a strong voice for rooting out government waste, improving financial literacy in disadvantaged communities, protecting California’s environment and preserving the integrity of our retirement system.

First and foremost, we must ensure California remains in good fiscal health. While this obviously means maintaining a balanced budget, it also means ensuring that as we come out of the pandemic, we are maintaining a sharp focus on/towards investing in the communities that need it most. California’s greatest asset is our people, and we cannot afford to leave potential untapped in communities that have been left behind.

I believe that investing in and speaking out about the importance of financial literacy, we can ensure all Californians can build for their own futures, save for an education, and ensure retirement security for themselves and their families.

Through the Controller’s participation in the State Lands Commission, there is real opportunity to set the standard for environmental stewardship in the 21st century. The impacts of climate change are already threatening our state. Droughts have become more frequent and more severe than ever before. As Controller, I will ensure conservation, sustainability and climate resilience are at the forefront of every consideration that comes before the Commission.

When it comes to retirement security, the Controller has an important role to play as a board member on the nation’s two largest public pensions: CalPERS and CalSTRS. As a 25-year veteran of the finance industry who holds 12 FINRA Security Licenses, I know what it takes to ensure that public retirement investments are sound and work to make the American Dream accessible to everyone in the Golden State.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

To me, it is most important that California’s next State Controller have the experience, skills, and financial background needed to understand finance. I am the only candidate with the education, background and experience in both the public and private sectors to improve California’s finances, ensure sound investments and save taxpayers money. I am a financial expert who has worked at the highest levels of our financial system and personally managed billions of dollars in assets.

In my short time as Mayor of Monterey Park, I’ve saved taxpayers $55 million by refinancing our city’s pension bond and used technology to develop innovative strategies to help our local economy thrive. I love numbers, I love budgets and I love audits. I look forward to the opportunity to take the skills I have honed and help our state save money and be efficient.

If elected, I would be the first immigrant to serve as State Controller. I have firsthand experience with the difficulties millions of immigrant families in California are facing. I will be a fierce advocate for immigrants, communities of color, women and everyone who must confront challenges for the opportunity to achieve to the American Dream.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

While my opponents bring political experience to this race, I am the only person in this race with the background in finance and investments needed to be an effective fiscal watchdog for Californians. I have over 25 years of experience in finance and opened my own investment firm with over $1 billion in assets all before the age of 40.