WHAT IS A LEGAL ENTITY IDENTIFIER (LEI)?

Who Needs a LEI?

If you are a global entity located in the EU or in any of these jurisdictions or industries, you will likely need a legal entity identifier. Demand for LEI’s will continue to increase as regulators in more industries and verticals worldwide implement legislation that require legal entities to obtain this identifier for reporting purposes.

Obtaining your LEI number means you get:  

Simplified reporting obligations

• A better understanding of your counterparty’s risk exposure (and therefore better risk management and reduced costs)
• Greater transparency across the financial markets you are active in

How To Obtain A Legal Entity Identifier

COGENCY GLOBAL is authorised as an LEI Registration Agent by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF). GLEIF was established by the G20’s Financial Stability Board to oversee the implementation and use of the LEI. We have also partnered with GMEI, the world’s largest Local Operating Unit (LOU), which means we can submit and maintain registrations for you in every jurisdiction. As GMEI’s Registration Agent, our workflow, processes, expertise and data security has been approved pursuant to all LEI regulatory obligations.

If your entity is required to obtain an LEI, the COGENCY GLOBAL team can complete the entire registration process on your behalf on an expedited basis and navigate initial business validation. After filing, we’ll follow up as needed, until an LEI is assigned, typically within 3-5 days (standard service) or within 1 to 2 days (expedited service).

We also keep track of your required annual information maintenance to ensure your LEI remains active at all times.