The LEI code is a unique global code that identifies legal entities. The LEI code allows us to identify the contract parties that engage in transactions on the financial markets. This makes it easier for the regulators to identify possible systemic risks more quickly. It offers transparency and monitors the stability of the financial markets. The LEI code is a 20-character, alphanumeric code.
MiFID II states that all legal entities that engage in transactions on the financial markets must have an LEI code, not just customers who are subject to the European market infrastructure regulation (EMIR). EMIR made the code mandatory for derivatives and MiFID II has expanded this to a wide range of financial instruments. There are no exceptions to this rule: if a customer does not have an LEI code, no transactions can be executed ('No LEI, No Trade').
Only legal entities must apply for an LEI code. The following summary lists the entities that must have an LEI code:
| Entity type (French name) | Entity type (Dutch name) | LEI-code required? | ||
| Société Privée à Responsabilité Limitée (SPRL) | Besloten Vennootschap met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid (BVBA) | Yes | ||
| Société en Commandite Simple (SCS) | Gewone Commanditaire Vennootschap (Comm. V.) | Yes | ||
| Société en Commandite par Actions (SCA) | Commanditaire Vennootschap op Aandelen (Comm.VA) | Yes | ||
| Société Coopérative à Responsabilité Limitée (SCRL) | Coöperatieve Vennootschap met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid (CVBA) | Yes | ||
| Société Coopérative à Responsabilité Illimitée (SCRI) | Coöperatieve Vennootschap met Onbeperkte Aansprakelijkheid (CVOA) | Yes | ||
| Société Privée à Responsabilité Limitée Unipersonnelle (SPRLU) | Besloten Eenpersoonsvennootschap met Beperkte Aansprakelijkheid (E-BVBA) | Yes | ||
| Entreprise Individuelle | Eenpersoonszaak | Yes | ||
| Groupement d'Intérêt Economique (GIE) | Economisch Samenwerkingsverband (ESV) | Yes | ||
| Association De Fait (ADF) | Feitelijke Vereniging (FV) | No | ||
| Société Agricole (SAGR) | Landbouwvennootschap (LV) | Yes | ||
| Société de droit commun | Maatschap | No | ||
| Personne physique | Natuurlijke persoon | No | ||
| Société Anonyme (SA) | Naamloze Vennootschap (NV) | Yes | ||
| Fondation | Stichting | Yes | ||
| Société Coopérative Européenne (SEC) | Europese Coöperatieve Vennootschap (SCE) | Yes | ||
| Société Européenne (SE) | Europese Vennootschap (Societas Europaea / SE) | Yes | ||
| Société Interne (SI) | Stille Handelsvennootschap (SV) | No | ||
| Association Momentanée (ASS MOM) | Tijdelijke Vereniging (TV) | No | ||
| Société en Nom Collectif (SNC) | Vennootschap Onder Firma (VOF) | Yes | ||
| Association Sans But Lucratif (ASBL) | Vereniging Zonder Winstoogmerk (VZW) | Yes |
ABN AMRO must report transactions in financial instruments to the relevant authorities from 3 January 2018. If a legal entity does not have an LEI code, the bank can no longer execute any transactions in financial instruments from 3 January 2018.
ABN AMRO cannot apply for the LEI code on behalf of its customers. Customers must apply for the code and annually extend the code themselves. An LEI code can be requested from the following Local Operating Units (LOU):
The following fields must be completed for the application:
The legal entity will also be asked to provide information on any parent company. No further documentation is required.
Please note that it may take some time to process the LEI code application.
An LEI code application is subject to charges. These charges depend on the local operating unit (LOU). There are 2 types of charges: a single registration fee and an annual contribution charged from the year following the application. The charges are different for all local operating units (LOUs). They are (excluding VAT):
| LOU | Single registration fee | Annual contribution |
| Bloomberg | € 75 | € 50 |
| CICI Utility | € 119 | € 99 |
| GSI Belgium & Luxembourg | € 89 | € 59 |
| INSEE | € 150 | € 50 |
| WM Datenservices | € 100 | € 80 |
These amounts are used to cover the LEI index maintenance, keep the data up-to-date and make the index accessible to the stakeholders. Part of the annual contribution is also paid to the international LEI code regulator.
All globally known LEI codes can be found in the LEI code index. The index is a public source and can be consulted here .
Yes. If the LEI code is not extended every year, it will no longer be valid. A legal entity needs a valid LEI code to meet the laws and regulations. The customer will automatically receive an invoice. The LEI code is automatically extended upon payment.
The reference data linked to the legal entities are correct at the time of application, but these data can change over time. Data updates are one reason for the annual extension.
If the LEI code is not extended, it will receive the 'LAPSED' status in the public LEI code index. The number will not expire, but will no longer be active. This indicates that the LEI code may not be compliant, which means that the legal requirements are not being met.
More information on the LEI code is available on the following websites:
