Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) Non‐profit Organisation, global •GLEIF manages a network of Local Operating Units that issue Legal Entity Identifiers (LEIs) to legal entities worldwide. •Legal entities engaging in financial transactions submit a standard set of attributes to a Local Operating Unit, which validates them against third‐party records and then issues an LEI. GLEIF holds the master file of all LEIs and associated entity information. •The system was introduced by financial regulators to improve micro‐and macro‐prudential risk assessment and management, increase market transparency and improve the accuracy of financial data. •Beyond financial services and regulation, the goal of the LEI system is to provide reliable identity information to permit unique identification of legal entities worldwide, in financial services and beyond (e.g., supply chain applications). •Over 430,000 LEIs have been issued since October 2015. The LEI is intended to become the link between all other identifier systems (e.g., KYC systems, business register codes, etc.). This would allow regulators to have a consistent and comprehensive view of all legal entities and financial instruments globally. 88 WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM | 2016 REGULATORS: Case study What benefits would accrue to regulators?GLEIF is an Organisation that supports the implementation of the Legal Entity Identifier standard –this standard might ultimately become a common thread between identifier systems in an effort to create a standardised global view of legal entities.
