CFI

A CFI (Classification of Financial Instruments) code is a six-unit alphabetic code which contains basic information about a financial instrument (type and form of issue, peculiarities of circulation, redemption and other). This code is not unique and completes an ISIN code. The CFI code is usually assigned together with the ISIN code.

A CFI code consists of 6 Latin letters:
The first letter characterizes the general level of classification, i.e. the Categories. There are 6 main types, and the most common ones are listed below:
E – Equities
D – Debt Instruments
R – Rights/Entitlements
O – Options
F – Futures
M – Miscellaneous

The second letter specifies the groups within each Category. For example, there are more than 8 groups for the Debt Instruments category, such as:
B – Bonds
С – Convertible bonds
T – Medium-term notes
Y – Money market instruments
G – Mortgage-backed securities
A – Asset-backed securities
N – Municipal bonds
D – Depositary receipts on debt instruments

Subsequent letters (symbols 3–6) indicate the characteristics related to each group. This can be a rate type, redemption conditions, bond form, etc. for the Bonds group.

“X” means that this attribute of a financial instrument is not defined due to lack of information, cannot be applied at the moment of the code assignment or is not applicable for this category or group of the instrument. A CFI code usually remains unchanged, but there are two exceptions:
• Replacing “X” symbols, which have undefined values, with specific ones in the course of a financial instrument placement, based on its results or other actions determined by issue documents.
• Carrying out corporate actions and making decisions by an issuer which lead to a change in the essential characteristics of a financial instrument (for example, a change in voting rights).