LEI requirements of UK banks and brokers
Most organisations first hear of the Legal Entity Identifier (LEI) from their own bank, broker or investment platform: an account is being opened, or a first trade placed, and the firm says it cannot deal until it has the code. The rule behind the request is the same for every firm. How each one applies it is not: some want the LEI before you apply for an account, others before the first trade, and each has its own way of receiving it.
The guides below set out what each firm says on its own website and link to the page that says it. A firm is listed only where it publishes its requirement.
Banks and brokers
- AJ BellNeeded before a company, charity or SSAS dealing account trades shares; funds can be dealt without one.
- interactive investorA limited company needs a valid LEI before it starts the Business Account application.
- Lloyds BankClients need a valid LEI to transact financial instruments; FX spot and payment-related FX are exempt.
- Killik & CoTrust and corporate accounts need an LEI before buying or selling exchange-traded investments.
- Charles Stanley DirectTrusts, charities and corporate investors may be required to obtain an LEI and provide it on request.
Each guide summarises what the firm publishes on its own website, as read on 14 November 2026. The firms have not reviewed or endorsed these guides.
When an LEI is required
- Under UK MiFIR, an investment firm cannot execute a trade in shares, bonds, ETFs or other reportable instruments for a client that is eligible for an LEI and does not have one. The FCA names companies, charities and trusts among the clients this covers. FCA: UK MiFIR legal entity identifiers
- The rule itself is short: a firm shall not provide a service that triggers a transaction report before it has the client’s LEI. RTS 22, Article 13(2), as kept in UK law
- Under UK EMIR, both sides of a derivative contract are reported, so every UK counterparty to a derivative needs an LEI. FCA: UK EMIR reporting obligation
- A private individual investing in their own name does not need an LEI and is identified by a national identifier instead. RTS 22, Article 6, as kept in UK law
How to apply
You are not tied to an issuer your bank or broker mentions. GLEIF, the foundation that oversees the system, says a legal entity can use any issuer accredited for its jurisdiction, in its own country or abroad. Whoever issues it, an LEI is the same 20-character code and identifies one legal entity, so one LEI serves every bank and broker the organisation uses.
LEI Universal is a registration agency, not an issuer: an LEI ordered here is issued by a GLEIF-accredited issuer.
- Enter the name or registration number in the application form. Where the register is connected, the details are filled in for you.
- Check the name, registration number and address, and state whether a parent company consolidates the entity.
- Confirm that you may act for the entity, then pay. If a signed authorisation is needed, you sign it online.
- The details are checked against the register. Once they are confirmed, the LEI is issued and sent to you by email.
An entity can only have one LEI. Check whether it already has one
Apply for an LEI