A definition of the LEI Code (Legal Entity Identifier) would be the global and unique code, of 20 characters, that is used with the aim of identifying the legal persons that take part in financial operations. In this way, the information requirements in the financial markets.
This code aims to improve the management of financial risks. It does this by identifying the contracting parties in financial transactions anywhere in the world, thus making it easier for regulators to warn of potential risks during the early stages.
Among the organizations eligible for the LEI Code are:
- Listed entities.
- Banks and financial entities.
- Entities that issue debt, shares or securities for other capital structures.
- Investment means, including pension funds, fondos de inversión and alternative investment means.
- Entities that sell debt or shares.
- Counterparties for financial operations.
- Entities under the control of a financial regulator.
This code is unique and permanent for each entity. The format of the international LEI standard follows the indications provided by the ISO 17442 standard and follows the following structure:
Prefix - Reserved digits - Random alphanumeric code - Control digits
An example would be this: 9598 00 N70CFHITABGT 80
The prefix set to the Spanish LOU by the Regulatory Oversight Committee (ROC) is 9598. This body is made up of fifty financial regulators from different parts of the world and a wide variety of public sector entities, controlling the LEI system.
Each LEI Registry has the following information about the entity:
- Official name.
- Legal address.
- Address of the main headquarters of the company.
- País de jurisdicción legal.
- Social form.
- Name of the Registry and number in the Registry of entities.
- LEI code of the LOU in charge of the LEI Registry of the company.
- LEI registration date.
- Date with the most recent information update.