A CUSIP number, or Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures number, is a unique nine-digit identification number assigned to most securities. Investors typically track a bond's CUSIP to ensure the issuer properly applies interest and to process and settle trades. The first six numbers of a bond's CUSIP number identify the bond's issuer, the two letters identify the bond's type, and the last number helps authenticate the CUSIP number. To track a bond by its CUSIP, use a CUSIP search tool available on one of several investment research websites.
Step 1
Call your broker and ask for the bond's CUSIP number if you don't already know the number.
Step 2
Go to a financial or investment research website that offers a free bond search tool and allows you to track a bond by the CUSIP number. There are several available throughout the Internet, including Standard & Poor's, Quantum and Fidelity. Depending on the website, you might have to sign up for an account.
Step 3
Type the bond's CUSIP number in the search tool and select "CUSIP" as the search option.
Step 4
Click the appropriate button to begin searching for a bond by its CUSIP. The tool will search and display information about the bond, including interest payments, maturity date and price.
