Reference data

Roles that need it

• Reference & Security Master Data Analyst
• Master Data Specialist
• Data Governance Analyst
• Settlements Analyst
• IBOR & Investment Data Analyst

Skills it belongs to

• Master data management
• Data governance, quality and lineage
• Investment book of record and portfolio data

Related concepts

• Master dataMaster data is the core, shared data about the key entities a business deals with: clients, counterparties, products, accounts, legal entities and employees. It changes less often than transactions and is reused by many processes. Master data management (MDM) keeps one trusted version of it.
• Golden sourceA golden source is the single system or dataset an organisation designates as the authoritative origin for a given data item, such as client static data or instrument prices. Other systems copy from it instead of keeping their own versions. Also called authoritative source or system of record.
• Legal entity identifier (LEI)The LEI is a 20-character code under ISO 17442 that uniquely identifies a legal entity taking part in financial transactions. It links to reference data on who the entity is and, where reported, who owns it. The Global LEI Foundation (GLEIF) oversees the system.

Sources

• Introducing the Legal Entity Identifier, GLEIF (external site) accessed 31 Oct 2026
• Guide on effective risk data aggregation and risk reporting, ECB Banking Supervision (external site) accessed 31 Oct 2026

Updated 31 Oct 2026.