What is an LEI?

The abbreviation "LEI" stands for Legal Entity Identifier. It consists of a 20-digit alphanumeric code that can be used to uniquely identify companies and legal entities within the global financial system. The LEI is assigned once to each legal entity and may not be assigned twice. It can be compared with the international VAT identification number, which is used to identify legal entities and companies in global trade. Unlike the VAT identification number, however, an LEI is not free of charge and must be renewed annually. 

What information can be retrieved via an LEI number?

LEI numbers are kept in a public register by GLEIF (Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation) and can be accessed by anyone who wants to know who is behind an LEI number. This strengthens transparency in the global financial market. 

In the public register, the legal name, the competent commercial register, the commercial register number, the place of jurisdiction, the legal form, the status and the contact data (official address as well as address of the head office) of the company are stored for an LEI number. This information is also called Level-1 data. Level-1 data provides information about who the company is. Furthermore, the register also stores information about the ownership of a company, which is called Level 2 data. With the help of this data, it is possible to find out who owns the company and whether it also has subsidiaries. 

Basically, an LEI number provides answers to the following three questions:

• Who is who?
• Who belongs to whom?
• Who owns what?

How is an LEI number structured?

Through the ISO certificate 17442, the LEI number is standardized and normed. It consists of 20 alphanumeric characters, i.e. letters and numbers, which are divided into three sectors:

• Characters 1 - 4 are used to identify the LOU (Local Operating Unit)
• characters 5 - 18 are used to identify the legal entity
• Characters 19 - 20 are used to verify the identity of the legal entity

Who issues LEI numbers?

GLEIF itself does not issue LEI numbers. These are issued and also managed by the various LOUs (Local Operating Unints). They serve as interfaces between companies wishing to apply for an LEI number and GLEIF. An overview of all LOUs can be found on the GLEIF website.

Eunetic GmbH is not an LOU. We are a registry whose mission is to help companies obtain reliable information about LEI numbers and to apply for or renew them.