Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures

A security’s CUSIP number identifies the security and makes it easier to settle trades. CUSIPs are assigned to securities such as stocks of North American companies and government debt issued by federal and local governments and corporations. Non-North American securities use a system called CINS, which stands for CUSIP Inter-national Numbering System. The American Bankers Association owns the copyright and propriety rights to CUSIP and CINS.