The Industrial Classification Directory is a system used to identify, categorize, and organize businesses according to their primary economic activities. These classifications are particularly important for business owners, entrepreneurs, commercial lenders, government contractors, and organizations seeking grants or financing.
In the United States, two major classification systems are in active use. The Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system is an older four-digit system used to classify businesses by industry — still actively used by the SEC, OSHA, insurers, and many private lenders. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a more detailed six-digit system widely used by federal agencies, the Census Bureau, and the SBA for loan eligibility and contracting purposes.
For business owners, knowing your SIC and NAICS codes is important because they affect loan eligibility and SBA program access, government contracting set-asides and bid eligibility, insurance underwriting and premium calculations, market research and competitive analysis, and business credit reporting and D-U-N-S registration.
Your Private Financier and its clients operate across several classification categories. Financial services and lending activities fall under SIC 6159 (Federal-Sponsored Credit Agencies) or SIC 6199 (Finance Services), and NAICS 522390 (Other Activities Related to Credit Intermediation) or NAICS 523999 (Miscellaneous Financial Investment Activities). Real estate investment and brokerage activities fall under SIC 6552 (Land Subdividers and Developers) and NAICS 531390 (Other Activities Related to Real Estate).
To find your SIC code, visit the OSHA SIC Search tool. To find your NAICS code, visit the U.S. Census Bureau NAICS lookup tool. Both are free, publicly accessible resources. We've linked directly to each below.