ISO 10962


ISO 10962 defines the structure and format for classification of financial instruments approved by the International Organization for Standardization.
There are many types of Financial Instruments used for saving, investing, trading, hedging and speculating. These instruments are generally organized in groups called "asset classifications." The most common asset classifications are generally described using terms like "Equities," "Debt," "Derivatives," "Currencies," and a few other generalized terms.
ISO 10962 provides a global standard for these classifications in the form of specific codes. Classification of financial instrument Code is used to define and describe financial instruments as a uniform set of codes for all market participants.
The code is issued by the members of . The group is currently working to simplify the structure so that it can be adopted more widely by non-governmental market participants.
The letters from the ISO basic Latin alphabet in each position of this 6 character code reflect specific characteristics intrinsic to the financial instruments that are defined at the issue of the instrument, and which in most cases remain unchanged during the lifetime of the instrument.

History of ISO 10962 Modification

Where distinct entities transact it is seen as helpful to establish a common transaction language. The CFI code is meant to provide the most comprehensive information possible, while at the same time maintaining the code manageability, provides a standard for identification of type of instrument and their main high level characteristics, determined by the intrinsic characteristics of the financial instrument, which would be independent of the individual names or conventions of a given country or financial institution. This principle avoids confusion arising from different linguistic usage as well as redundancy, while allowing an objective comparison of the instruments across markets.
CFI codes also aim to simplify electronic communication between participants, improve understanding of the characteristics of financial instruments for the investors, and allow securities grouping in a consistent manner for reporting and categorization purposes.

Structure of CFI Code

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Sample of Main CFI Classifications

EEquitiesDDebt Instruments
ESSharesDBBonds
EPPreferred sharesDCConvertible bonds
ERPreference sharesDWBonds with warrants attached
ECConvertible sharesDTMedium-term notes
EFPreferred convertible sharesDYMoney market instruments
EVPreference convertibles sharesDMOthers
EUUnits, i.e. unit trusts/mutual funds/OPCVM/OICVM
REntitlements OOptions
RAAllotment rightsOCCall options
RSSubscription rightsOPPut options
RPPurchase rightsOMOthers
RWWarrants
RMOthers
FFuturesMOthers
FFFinancial futuresMR
FCCommodities futuresMMOther assets, e.g. Real Estate, Insurance Policies

Existing Possible Values

Example: