Supporting efficient
global capital markets

CGS identifiers ensure that essential front- and back-office functions run smoothly, enabling custodians and sub-custodians to easily communicate, manage and examine the details of a transaction for accurate and efficient clearance and settlement.
binary number graphic

Universally recognized identifier for financial instruments

Derived from the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, CUSIPs are 9-character identifiers that capture an issue’s important differentiating characteristics for issuers and their financial instruments in the U.S. and Canada.

Structure of a CUSIPExample: FactSet Research Systems Inc - Common Stock

Issuer
303075

Issue
10

Check
5

CUSIP Identifier
303075105

First 6 Characters

Identifies the unique name of the:

  • Company
  • Municipality
  • Agency

A hierarchical alpha numeric convention linked to alphabetic issuer name

Next 2 Characters

Identifies the type of instrument:

  • Equity
  • Debt

Uniquely identifies the issues within the issuer

A hierarchical alpha numeric convention

Final Character

A mathematical formula checks accuracy of the previous 8 characters

Delivers a 1 character check result

Resulting 9 Characters

A unique identifier

CINS

The CUSIP International Numbering System (CINS) is a 9-character alphanumeric identifier that employs the same 9 characters as CUSIP, but also contains a letter of the alphabet in the first position signifying the issuer’s country or geographic region. CINS was developed in 1989 as an extension to CUSIP in response to U.S. demand for global coverage, and is the local identifier of more than 30 non-North American markets.

Structure of a CINSExample: Abingdon Capital PLC - Shares

Country Code
G

Issuer
0052B

Issue
10

Check
5

CINS Identifier
G0052B105

First Character

Identifies the unique name of the territory

CGS rules-based engine governs designation

In this case: G - United Kingdom

Next 5 Characters

Combined with Country Code, uniquely identifies the issuer

In this case: Abingdon

Next 2 Characters

Identifies the type of instrument

Uniquely identifies the issues within the issuer

Final Character

A mathematical formula checks accuracy of the previous 8 characters, and delivers 1 character result

Resulting 9 Characters

A unique identifier

ISIN

The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) is a unique global code that identifies instruments to facilitate cross-border trading. There are currently over 120 recognized National Numbering Agencies (NNAs) throughout the world which are responsible for the assignment of ISINs in their respective countries. CGS is responsible for the assignment of ISINs in the U.S. and in other areas where designated or appointed.

CGS has agents in countries such as Canada, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands and is also the representative agency for many countries in the Caribbean and Pacific region. Because of this, it was necessary to develop a separate identification system to designate CGS-assigned securities from these jurisdictions. A CUSIP or CINS identifier will always be in position 3 to 11 of a CGS ISIN.

Structure of an ISIN

ISO Country Code
CA

Local Identifier
008911703

Check
4

ISIN Identifier
CA0089117034

CGS Sub-NNA Country Code

ISO rules govern designation of the ISO Country Code:

For Equity Issues: the country where the entity is incorporated.

For Domestic Debt Issues: the country where the lead manager is located.

For International Debt Issues: the country where the Central Securities Depository is located.

The Local Identifier is assigned by the individual NNA.

Structure of an ISIN assigned by CGS

ISIN based on CUSIP or CINS

Example: Amazon.com Inc - Common Stock
ISO Country Code
US

Local Identifier (CUSIP)
023135106

Check
7

ISIN Identifier
US0231351067
Example: Air Canada Inc - Class A Shares
ISO Country Code
CA

Local Identifier (CUSIP)
008911703

Check
4

ISIN Identifier
CA0089117034
Example: Cryptolab Capital (Cayman) Ltd
ISO Country Code
KY

Local Identifier (CINS)
G3165B103

Check
2

ISIN Identifier
KYG3165B1032

LEI

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character, alphanumeric code based on the ISO 17442 standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It connects to key reference information that enables the unambiguous identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions.

Structure of an LEIExample: Zippy Shell Incorporated

LOU prefix 4 characters
5299

Entity Indentifier 14 character
00JG20MI5AEY4G

Verification ID 2 digits
62

LEI 
529900JG20MI5AEY4G62

"Business Card" Information:

  • Address: c/o Corporation Service Company, 251 Little Falls Drive, US-DE 19808
  • Entity Status: Active
  • Managing LOU: WM Datenservice (5299)
  • Legal Form: Corporation
  • Record State: Public_Sources

The CUSIP Entity Identifier (CEI) is a 10-character code designed to uniquely identify legal entities in the syndicated loan market. CGS developed the CEI in collaboration with the Loan Syndications & Trading Association (LSTA) and emerging syndicated loan solution providers focused on modernizing the syndicated loan market.

Structure of a CEI

The CEI ID structure is Alpha first character, Numeric second character, and the rest random while the last digit is a check-digit.

Entity (Fund Manager) CEI (Alpha first character + Numeric second character + Random + Check Digit)
BlackRock Inc D27254GOL5
Vanguard Group T1L485SE52
ABC Investments B8954895F3
State Street Global Advisors G5645GT989

CEI Heirarchy

    • ABC Corp. Ultimate Parent Company
    • CEI: D25G56T987
    • ABC Investment Trust Umbrella Fund
    • CEI: B37H7Y7H91
      • ABC International Discovery Fund Class A
      • CEI: Not Eligible
      • ABC Management & Research Company LLC Fund Manager
      • CEI: Y798G654J8
      • ABC International Discovery Fund
      • CEI: R5UH786438
      • ABC Europe Fund
      • CEI: F4B8976543
      • ABC Japan Fund
      • CEI: K8Y7865436
      • ABC Japan Smaller Companies Fund
      • CEI: S5TY765G67
      • ABC Latin America Fund
      • CEI: B7T88743G6
      • ABC Investment Management (UK) Limited Additional Fund Manager
      • CEI: V59247K658
      • ABC International Discovery Fund
      • CEI: S6759H7625
      • ABC Europe Fund
      • CEI: H8985432G7
      • ABC Japan Fund
      • CEI: D6778943G7
      • ABC Japan Smaller Companies Fund
      • CEI: Z1GU865432
      • ABC Latin America Fund
      • CEI: C6RR985T65

Universally recognized identifier for financial instruments

Derived from the Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures, CUSIPs are 9-character identifiers that capture an issue’s important differentiating characteristics for issuers and their financial instruments in the U.S. and Canada.

Structure of a CUSIPExample: FactSet Research Systems Inc - Common Stock

Issuer
303075

Issue
10

Check
5

CUSIP Identifier
303075105

First 6 Characters

Identifies the unique name of the:

  • Company
  • Municipality
  • Agency

A hierarchical alpha numeric convention linked to alphabetic issuer name

Next 2 Characters

Identifies the type of instrument:

  • Equity
  • Debt

Uniquely identifies the issues within the issuer

A hierarchical alpha numeric convention

Final Character

A mathematical formula checks accuracy of the previous 8 characters

Delivers a 1 character check result

Resulting 9 Characters

A unique identifier

CINS

The CUSIP International Numbering System (CINS) is a 9-character alphanumeric identifier that employs the same 9 characters as CUSIP, but also contains a letter of the alphabet in the first position signifying the issuer’s country or geographic region. CINS was developed in 1989 as an extension to CUSIP in response to U.S. demand for global coverage, and is the local identifier of more than 30 non-North American markets.

Structure of a CINSExample: Abingdon Capital PLC - Shares

Country Code
G

Issuer
0052B

Issue
10

Check
5

CINS Identifier
G0052B105

First Character

Identifies the unique name of the territory

CGS rules-based engine governs designation

In this case: G - United Kingdom

Next 5 Characters

Combined with Country Code, uniquely identifies the issuer

In this case: Abingdon

Next 2 Characters

Identifies the type of instrument

Uniquely identifies the issues within the issuer

Final Character

A mathematical formula checks accuracy of the previous 8 characters, and delivers 1 character result

Resulting 9 Characters

A unique identifier

ISIN

The International Securities Identification Number (ISIN) is a unique global code that identifies instruments to facilitate cross-border trading. There are currently over 120 recognized National Numbering Agencies (NNAs) throughout the world which are responsible for the assignment of ISINs in their respective countries. CGS is responsible for the assignment of ISINs in the U.S. and in other areas where designated or appointed.

CGS has agents in countries such as Canada, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands and is also the representative agency for many countries in the Caribbean and Pacific region. Because of this, it was necessary to develop a separate identification system to designate CGS-assigned securities from these jurisdictions. A CUSIP or CINS identifier will always be in position 3 to 11 of a CGS ISIN.

Structure of an ISIN

ISO Country Code
CA

Local Identifier
008911703

Check
4

ISIN Identifier
CA0089117034

CGS Sub-NNA Country Code

ISO rules govern designation of the ISO Country Code:

For Equity Issues: the country where the entity is incorporated.

For Domestic Debt Issues: the country where the lead manager is located.

For International Debt Issues: the country where the Central Securities Depository is located.

The Local Identifier is assigned by the individual NNA.

Structure of an ISIN assigned by CGS

ISIN based on CUSIP or CINS

Example: Amazon.com Inc - Common Stock
ISO Country Code
US

Local Identifier (CUSIP)
023135106

Check
7

ISIN Identifier
US0231351067
Example: Air Canada Inc - Class A Shares
ISO Country Code
CA

Local Identifier (CUSIP)
008911703

Check
4

ISIN Identifier
CA0089117034
Example: Cryptolab Capital (Cayman) Ltd
ISO Country Code
KY

Local Identifier (CINS)
G3165B103

Check
2

ISIN Identifier
KYG3165B1032

LEI

The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character, alphanumeric code based on the ISO 17442 standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It connects to key reference information that enables the unambiguous identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions.

As a national numbering agency and dedicated standards practitioner, CGS promotes the adoption and growth of LEI through a collaboration with the Global Market Entity Identifier (GMEI) Utility. CGS also integrates the LEI into entity-related products and services.

Structure of an LEIExample: Philadelphia Cheesesteak Company

LOU prefix 4 characters
5493

Entity Indentifier 14 character
00SAMIRN1R27UP

Verification ID 2 digits
42

LEI 
549300SAMIRN1R27UP42

"Business Card" Information:

  • Address: 520 East Hunting Park Ave, Philadelphia PA 19124
  • Entity Status: Active
  • Managing LOU: GMEI Utility (5493)
  • Legal Form: Corporation
  • Record State: Public_Sources

The CUSIP Entity Identifier (CEI) is a 10-character, alphanumeric code based on the ISO 17442 standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It connects to key reference information that enables the unambiguous identification of legal entities participating in financial transactions.

Entity (Fund Manager) CEI (Alpha first character + Numeric second character + Random + Check Digit)
BlackRock Inc D27254GOL5
Vanguard Group T1L485SE52
ABC Investments B8954895F3
State Street Global Advisors G5645GT989

Instrument Coverage

CGS identifiers cover a wide range of global financial instruments, including extensive equity and debt issues, derivatives, syndicated loans and U.S. / Canadian listed equity options and single stock futures.

General Interest Instrument Types

Equity

American Depository Receipts

Common Shares

Exchanged-Traded Funds

Indices

Limited Partnerships

Listed Options: US and Canada

Single-Stock Options

Mutual Funds

Preferred Shares

Real Estate Investment Trusts

Rights

Unit Investment Trusts

Warrants

Debt

Asset-Backed Securities

Bankers Acceptances

Certificates of Deposit

Collateralized Debt Obligations

Commercial Paper

Corporate Bonds

Medium-Term Notes

Mortgage-Backed Securities

Municipal Bonds

Structured Products

Syndicated Loans

U.S. Federal Government Agencies

U.S. Treasuries: Bonds, Bills, Notes

Other

Captial Securities (Hybrids)

Credit Derivatives (CLIPS)

Derivatives

Equity-Linked Notes (Hybrids)

Hedge Funds

Restricted Issues: 144A Reg D & Reg S Private Securities

Trust Preferred (Hybrids)

Variable Annuities and Other Insurance-Related Vehicles