LEI and GLEIF for KYB

A Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) is a standardised identifier for legal entities participating in financial transactions. GLEIF provides access to LEI reference data and related data that can support KYB identity matching.

1. Why LEI matters #

LEI data helps reduce entity ambiguity. It can support matching across systems where names, addresses, registration numbers or transliterations differ.

2. What GLEIF can support #

GLEIF API access can support:

  • LEI lookup;
  • legal entity name search;
  • address matching;
  • fuzzy name and address matching;
  • ownership data where available;
  • LEI issuer reference data;
  • mapped identifiers such as BIC or ISIN where available.

3. Useful fields #

Field Use
LEI Standard entity identifier
Legal name Entity name matching
Registration status Entity validity context
Headquarters / legal address Geographic exposure and identity match
Registration authority ID Link to local registry context
Direct / ultimate parent data Ownership and group context where available
BIC / ISIN mappings Financial-market identifier matching

4. Limitations #

Not every entity has an LEI. An LEI record is an identity and reference-data source, not a complete AML risk assessment. LEI data should not replace sanctions, PEP, adverse media, UBO or source-of-funds checks.

5. Evidence use #

For KYB, record the LEI, legal name, status, source URL/API result date, matched fields and any mismatches with customer-provided documents.

6. Source basis #