Method and system for compiling a multi-source database of composite investor-specific data records with no disclosure of investor identity

A method of compiling an electronic database of entity-specific information maintained by a plurality of unaffiliated institutions, comprising the steps of:

• providing each institution with a computer-based device that provides surrogate entity codes, wherein each surrogate entity code (i) corresponds to a unique value of entity identification information maintained by such institution, and (ii) is generated in such manner that no entity identification information can be derived from such surrogate entity code, and wherein the computer-based devices provide, with respect to any specific value of such entity identification information, surrogate entity codes that are different for each institution but all convertible to a common surrogate entity code;
• receiving from each institution a set of data records, each of which contains information that pertains to a particular entity and is associated with a surrogate entity code, but which is otherwise free of entity identification information;
• installing in the database the data records provided by the plurality of institutions;
• and
• linking the data records at the entity-specific level by converting the different surrogate entity codes from the different institutions into common surrogate entity codes and then, with respect to each common surrogate entity code, logically associating all data records with which such common surrogate entity code is associated.