CUSIP Number

A CUSIP Number (Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures) is a unique identifier assigned to all registered U.S. securities. It consists of nine characters: the first six identify the issuer, the next two identify the specific issue, and the final character is a Check digit used for error detection.

Examples of CUSIP Numbers include:

  • Apple Inc. Common Stock: 037833100
  • U.S. Treasury Bond: 912828V30
  • Ford Motor Company: 345370860

In practice, CUSIP Numbers are used by financial institutions for various purposes such as trading, settling transactions, and maintaining records. For instance, when an investor buys shares of a stock, the CUSIP Number helps ensure that the correct security is being traded and that ownership is accurately recorded.