If you’ve followed some of my previous email series, like the recent ones on domain values and data vendors, you’ll know how much I enjoy unpacking topics that spark curiosity as well as debate about what’s happening in our industry. Those series got great engagement, which tells me these deep dives are helpful in connecting the dots across what we do at GoldenSource.
One topic that’s been coming up time and again, in RFPs, RFIs, and nearly every Data Management implementation, is classifications. They sit right at the intersection of operations and regulation, shaping how we organize, interpret, and exchange financial information.
I’ve mentioned classifications before in a few specific contexts, but given how central they are, I thought it was time to explore them more thoroughly. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be running a short mini-series focused entirely on this topic.
Here’s a preview of what I’ll cover:
- The main types of classifications used in capital markets
- Their purposes and specializations
- How different regulatory regimes depend on them
- Their life cycle, including updates and real-world applications
I’ll walk through well-known systems like GICS, ICB, NACE, ISIC, NAICS, ICE UES, TRBC, BICS, BCLASS, and SICS, along with key securities categorization frameworks. If there are others you’d like included, just let me know, and I’ll make sure to add them.
Choosing the right classification (or the right mix) helps a system fulfill its operational and regulatory obligations with confidence. And having a strategy that anticipates which new classifications might soon matter can make all the difference when the pressure for quick delivery hits.
