India 
Canada
What is an LEI Number and Why is it Important?
In today’s globalized financial world, transparency and accountability have become essential. To ensure that every business entity involved in financial transactions can be uniquely identified, the concept of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) was introduced.
🔎 What is an LEI Number?
The Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a 20-character alphanumeric code that uniquely identifies companies, financial institutions, trusts, and other organizations participating in global financial transactions. It follows the ISO 17442 standard and contains basic reference information about the entity such as its name, registered address, and ownership structure.
Think of the LEI as a global identity card for businesses—just as individuals have Aadhaar or PAN, businesses across the world use an LEI for recognition.
📌 Why is the LEI Important?
Enhances Transparency
The LEI helps regulators, banks, and stakeholders clearly identify “who is who” and “who owns whom” in financial markets. This minimizes risks of fraud and financial irregularities.
Mandatory for Compliance
Regulatory authorities such as the RBI, SEBI, IRDAI in India, and regulators worldwide, have made LEI mandatory for certain transactions—like cross-border deals, derivative trading, bond issuance, and large corporate borrowings.
Improves Risk Management
Banks and financial institutions use the LEI to assess credit exposures and risks across corporate groups, ensuring better financial stability.
Global Standardization
Since LEI is recognized internationally, it eliminates confusion arising from multiple local IDs and allows seamless global transactions.
✅ Conclusion:- The LEI Number is not just a compliance requirement—it is a step towards greater trust, transparency, and security in the financial ecosystem. Whether you are a corporate entity, a financial institution, or an investment fund, obtaining an LEI ensures that your organization is globally identifiable and compliant with regulatory standards.
