GLEIF Database Explained – How Global LEI Data Works
Quick Answer
The GLEIF database is the central repository of all Legal Entity Identifiers worldwide, operated by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation. It contains 2.7M+ LEI records with two layers of data: Level 1 ("who is who") and Level 2 ("who owns whom"). The data is freely accessible via the GLEIF API and searchable on LEI Search.
What Is GLEIF?
The Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF) was established in 2014 by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to manage the global LEI system. GLEIF doesn't issue LEIs directly—it accredits Local Operating Units (LOUs) that handle registration and renewal. GLEIF's primary role is to aggregate, validate, and publish the data.
Level 1 Data – "Who Is Who"
Level 1 reference data includes the entity's official legal name, registered address, country of formation, entity category (e.g., FUND, BRANCH, SOLE_PROPRIETOR), and registration status (ISSUED, LAPSED, RETIRED). This data is validated annually during renewal.
Level 2 Data – "Who Owns Whom"
Level 2 relationship data maps direct and ultimate parent entities. It enables regulators and compliance teams to trace ownership chains across borders—crucial for sanctions screening, AML checks, and systemic risk analysis. Use the Fund Relationships tool to visualise these hierarchies.
How LOUs Work
Local Operating Units (LOUs) are GLEIF-accredited organisations that issue and maintain LEIs. Examples include Bloomberg Finance LP, London Stock Exchange, and Ubisecure (RapidLEI). LEI Worldwide works as a Registration Agent with Ubisecure to provide fast, cost-effective LEI services.
Accessing GLEIF Data
GLEIF provides free access to all LEI data through several channels:
- GLEIF API – RESTful JSON API for programmatic access.
- Bulk downloads – Full and delta files in XML and CSV format.
- LEI Search – Our free search tool provides a user-friendly interface on top of GLEIF data.
- LEI API+ – Our enhanced API adds Companies House and SEC data to GLEIF queries.
Data Quality and Challenges
GLEIF publishes regular data quality reports and enforces standards on LOUs. However, challenges remain: name variations across jurisdictions, delayed updates for corporate actions, and incomplete Level 2 reporting in some regions. Our search engine mitigates this by cross-referencing GLEIF with Companies House, SEC EDGAR, and OpenCorporates.