how do i look up a cusip number 
there are several ways to do this perhaps the simplest is to request a stock quote on a broker s website which often will include the cusip you can also find the numbers on a brokerage s official statements sent to clients or on physical stock or bond certificates if you own them certain bond cusips may also be obtained through the municipal securities rule making board via the electronic municipal market access system the bottom linea cusip number is a nine digit alphanumeric code that is used to identify securities such as stocks bonds and other financial instruments the cusip committee on uniform securities identification procedures system was developed in the 1960s as a way to uniquely identify securities and facilitate the settlement of trades each cusip number is unique to a specific security and it is assigned by the cusip service bureau which is operated by the american bankers association cusip numbers are used by banks brokerages and other financial institutions to identify and track securities in their systems and they are also used to facilitate the clearing and settlement of trades cusip numbers are typically found on the front of a bond certificate and they can also be found in various databases and other sources of information about securities 