Critical data element (CDE)

Roles that need it

• Data Governance Analyst
• Regulatory Reporting Analyst
• Data Analyst (Banking)
• Regulatory Consultant (Banking)
• Business Analyst (Banking)

Skills it belongs to

• Data governance, quality and lineage
• Prudential and regulatory reporting (COREP, FINREP, US call reports)

Related concepts

• Data lineageData lineage is the documented path a data item follows from its original source through every system, transformation and control until it reaches a report, model or decision. It shows where a number came from and what was done to it. End-to-end lineage is a core expectation of the ECB for risk data.
• Data quality dimensionA data quality dimension is one measurable aspect of how fit data is for use. Common dimensions are accuracy, completeness, timeliness, consistency, validity and uniqueness. Firms set thresholds per dimension and report breaches through data quality dashboards.
• Data ownerA data owner is the senior business person accountable for a defined set of data: its definition, quality standards, access rules and fitness for use. The owner approves changes and remediation priorities, while data stewards do the day-to-day work.

Sources

• Guide on effective risk data aggregation and risk reporting, ECB Banking Supervision (external site) accessed 31 Oct 2026
• Principles for effective risk data aggregation and risk reporting, BIS (external site) accessed 31 Oct 2026

Updated 31 Oct 2026.