ISIN- International Securities Identification Number is a 12 digit alphanumeric code that helps to identify the security such as a stock or a bond. An organization allocating ISINs in any country consists of the country’s respective National Numbering Agency.

It is a unique number assigned to a bond that is recognized universally.

ISIN code is different from other identifiers like ticker symbols whose identification marks are not universal. For example, the ticker symbol in India may not be the same as the ticker symbol in the US despite the company being the same. ISIN covers up such cross-border hurdles and in order to remove the information of particular security irrespective of any country one needs ISIN code handy.

ISIN numbers are assigned to a broad range of companies and funds, as well as various securities worldwide like stocks, bonds, syndicated loans, derivatives, medium-term notes, commercial papers, ETF’s and many more.

Mostly the ISIN numbers are obtained for debt offerings. A company conducting a bond offering will most likely seek an ISIN number especially if these offerings fall under Rule 144A or Regulation S or it is a Global note.

During the trading, buying, and selling of securities an ISIN number, as well as a CUSIP number, plays a crucial role to ease out the discrepancies when trying to identify security correctly.

In order to search an ISIN of a particular security, an ISIN lookup will make it easy to search. Simply enter a few letters from the company you are looking for and you are good to go. On the other hand, if you know the ISIN number the details of the company will be displayed.

In India, the Securities and Exchange Board of India is authorized to issue the ISIN number to the securities. For the government securities, RBI takes up the authority to issue ISIN numbers.