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CUSIP Securities Identification
 
In July 1964, the New York Clearing House Association approached the American Bankers Association to develop a way to improve operating efficiencies across the industry by developing a standard method of identifying securities. The Committee on Uniform Security Identification Procedures (CUSIP) was created to work on this issue. Their work resulted in the establishment of the CUSIP system and in 1968 the CUSIP Service Bureau (CSB) was formed to administer the CUSIP system.

Over the years, CSB's core competencies in securities identification and data management, and strong relationships with industry stakeholders, have positioned the organization as a catalyst for innovation. As coverage has expanded to include new financial instruments and geographies, CUSIP Global Services has emerged as the overarching entity operated by CSB. Identifiers are available for more than 8.4 million unique financial instruments issued by corporations, municipalities and government agencies throughout the world, and thousands of new identifiers are generated every day.

With nearly 40 years in the securities identification business, CUSIP Global Services is operated for the American Bankers Association by Standard & Poor's. These leading organizations are focused on promoting strength and profitability of the financial services industry worldwide.

CUSIP-Based Identifiers

• CUSIP - Universally recognized identifier for financial instruments (CUSIPs are 9-character identifiers that capture an issue's important differentiating characteristics within a common structure)
• CINS- CUSIP International Numbering System
• CUSIP-based ISIN - Participation in the assignment of CUSIP-based International Securities Identification Numbers
• CUSIP Global Services brings coverage, consistency and expertise to the global securities marketplace offering:
• Universally recognized identification for more than 8.4 million unique financial instruments issued by corporations, municipalities and government agencies
• Coverage for a wide range of issue types, including derivatives and syndicated loans
• An extensive set of descriptive information
• Ready access to reliable, time-sensitive information with online capabilities that include powerful tools for searches and alerts
• A highly experienced Management and Operations staff that works closely with clients and partners to develop new solutions to global data challenges

CUSIP-based identifiers support the accurate and efficient clearance and settlement of securities, as well as processing associated with income payments made during the lifecycle of an issue. They enable:

• Holders, analysts and brokers to rapidly identify and access issue-specific data
• Custodians and sub-custodians to easily communicate on securities transactions
• Depositories to accurately manage transactions and examine historical data

(Please note: CUSIP® is the trademark for the system that uniquely identifies securities and other instruments of general interest. *CUSIP is a trademark of the ABA, and any reproduction of this service is strictly prohibited.)

Questions? Please contact Diane Poole at (202) 663-5397 for more information.