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Law & Legal

Steps of getting an LEI code

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) was intended to increase transparency in the global financial system by connecting institutions to financial transactions.

The LEI system is based on the ISO 17442 standard, which was developed in response to the 2008 global financial crisis and adopted by the G20, the world’s top 20 largest economies. In more than 203 countries around the world, LEI is an official Registration Agency (RA) powered by LOU (Local Operating Unit). How to obtain an LEI? The Local Operating Unit (LOU) or the LEI Registration agency can provide an LEI.

What is the purpose of an LEI code?

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a one-of-a-kind code that may be used to identify any corporation that participates in financial transactions anywhere in the world. The procedure is carried out in compliance with ISO 17442, an international standard. The purpose is to assist in the monitoring and measurement of systemic risk as well as the effective and cost-effective support of regulatory reporting obligations.

The Regulatory Oversight Committee (ROC) is the international authority in charge of overseeing the Global LEI System’s code assignment. In turn, ROC founded the Global LEI Foundation (GLEIF), a non-profit tasked with the upkeep and development of GLEIS, as well as the accreditation of organizations claiming to perform certain tasks.

What was the need for LEI?

Correct counterparty identification has long been a concern for all firms operating in international marketplaces. Time and resources were lost in the verification and reconciliation of numerous company IDs because each country had its method. After the financial crisis of 2008, when systemically important organizations and their subsidiaries (such as Lehman Brothers) were unable to be reliably identified on global markets, this issue became more apparent.

Following the crisis, the G20 developed and adopted a global framework for identifying legal organizations.

What is the procedure for issuing LEIs by LEI?

A legal entity can be identified by its entity code. It operates on a local level as well as when transacting in other nations and across borders.

The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) has designated LEI as an approved and accredited Registration Agent (RA). Only at the request of the legal body or at the request of those authorized by it is the code assigned. Private individuals do not require access to code. The codes assigned by LEI are stored in the international GLEIF database, from which we transfer them using the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation’s format.

What are the benefits of using an LEI?

You can do the following with the code:

  • Reduce the likelihood of transactional mistakes;
  • Simplify market regulator reporting procedures;
  • Identify counterparties, issuers, and other market participants in a unique way;
  • It’s important to understand “who owns whom.”

Self-registration via the website

An authorized person must be designated to oversee and carry out the process of getting the LEI Code. A resolution, power of attorney, or a voluntary appointment can all be used to appoint someone as an authorized person. Only this authorized person can create an account by entering his official email address and filling out the online form.