What Is a DFI ID Number and How Is It Used?

Financial operations across the United States rely on a system of unique identifiers for regulatory compliance and oversight. These identifiers are fundamental to distinguishing financial entities and tracking their activities. Clear identification helps regulatory bodies, businesses, and consumers operate with transparency and accountability, managing the diverse landscape of financial service providers.

What is a DFI ID Number

A DFI ID number is a unique identification code assigned by a state’s Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). This state-level agency regulates and oversees financial entities within its jurisdiction. The ID number serves as a specific file number for records associated with regulated businesses, such as state-chartered banks, credit unions, mortgage brokers, consumer loan companies, and other licensed financial service providers.

The primary purpose of a DFI ID number is to provide a distinct identifier for each institution, enabling the Department of Financial Institutions to manage its regulatory functions. It facilitates the tracking of licenses, compliance records, and general oversight activities. Unlike federal identifiers such as an Employer Identification Number (EIN) or a D-U-N-S Number, a DFI ID number is specific to state-level regulation and is not interchangeable. While a bank’s routing and transit number (RTN) may be referred to as a “DFI identification number” in Automated Clearing House (ACH) transactions, this is distinct from the DFI ID number assigned by state regulatory departments. The DFI ID number is an internal state regulatory tracking mechanism, not a payment system identifier.

How DFI ID Numbers are Used

Departments of Financial Institutions (DFIs) utilize these unique ID numbers for several core regulatory and administrative functions. They are instrumental in supervising financial entities, allowing state regulators to monitor adherence to state-specific laws and regulations. This oversight helps ensure that institutions operate within established legal frameworks and maintain sound practices.

DFI ID numbers are integral to the licensing process for financial service providers. They are used for processing new license applications, managing renewals, and tracking changes to an entity’s operational status or structure. These identifiers also help maintain comprehensive public records of regulated entities, providing a structured way for the public and other stakeholders to access information about licensed businesses. This systematic use enhances transparency and promotes accountability within the state’s financial sector.

Obtaining or Verifying a DFI ID Number

Individuals or entities seeking to obtain or verify a DFI ID number should begin their search with the official website of the relevant state’s Department of Financial Institutions. Most state DFIs provide online search tools or public databases that allow users to look up licensed financial entities. These search portals often enable queries by business name, license type, or the DFI ID number itself, if known.

If an online search does not yield the required information, direct contact with the state DFI is the next step. Departments often provide contact information, including phone numbers and email addresses, for their licensing or public records divisions. While some basic license verification information may be freely available, requesting detailed records or certified documents might involve submitting a formal public records request and could typically incur a fee.