Unique Identifier

Definition
A Unique Identifier is a persistent, system-wide reference assigned to each entity, ensuring that the entity can be uniquely recognised and retrieved across all platforms, products, and jurisdictions. It unifies disparate records and enables consistent linkage of client, counterparty, and related-party data.

Context
In banking, the Unique Identifier is essential to both Entity Management and CNRM. It allows a single client or entity record to be referenced across onboarding, KYC, due diligence, and risk systems—even when legacy platforms or regional variations exist. It also supports traceability in audit, risk analytics, and regulatory reporting by eliminating ambiguity in client identification.

A robust Unique Identifier model can reconcile internal IDs with external identifiers (e.g., LEI, Companies House, or tax IDs) and maintain the cross-reference logic required for network-level visibility.