You can rest assured we handle such information in a strictly confidential manner. We consider protection of your privacy to be fundamental to the way we operate.

The following information sets out B&E’s policy on how we manage your personal information by providing you with details on how we collect, hold, protect, use, disclose and maintain your personal information. Importantly, there is also an introduction to your rights.

We embrace the 10 National Privacy Principles

On 21 December 2001, the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 came into effect. It contains 10 National Privacy Principles (NPPs) aimed at ensuring that organisations handle customers’ personal information responsibly.

We willingly endorse the 10 NPPs. This means we strive to meet or exceed the requirements of the Act at all times in matters relating to your privacy.

What type of personal information does B&E collect?

We’ll collect information whenever you apply for one of our products or facilities. This will always include your name; date of birth; your residential and mailing address; and your home and work telephone numbers (where applicable).

In the case of certain B&E facilities (for example loans) we’ll request additional information. This will include your occupation; annual income and other financial details; your place of work and time with employer; details of previous employers; time at current and previous addresses; your marital status; the number and ages of your dependents; and your credit and transaction history.

Finally, if you’re a new B&E client, we’re also required to collect information about you and your identity under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

Why do we collect it?

We collect personal information primarily to assess your application for a B&E product and/or facility – and if your application is successful, to provide the service you have requested.

If you do not provide all of the information we require – we cannot assess your application, or subsequently provide what you have requested.

How do we collect it?

In most instances, personal information is obtained directly from you – such as at the time you open an account or fill in an application form. It may also be when you contact us by phone, mail, email, fax, or in person at any of our branches or agencies.

In some instances – with your consent – we may obtain information about you from a third party. For example, from a credit reporting agency or mortgage insurer.

How do we hold and protect personal information?

We may hold your information in hardcopy documents; in electronic format; or in B&E systems or software.

In all instances, we take steps to protect it from unauthorised access; from modification or disclosure; and from misuse or loss, as follows:

• Paper and electronic data are protected by physical security such as locks and security systems.
• Systems and software information is subject to network security measures such as user identifiers and passwords to control access.
• Firewalls and ‘inactive time-out’ are additional internet security measures.

How do we use and disclose personal information?

Special offers and promotions

We may use your information from time to time for direct marketing purposes:

• To provide you with information, including special offers, about our products and services.
• To provide you with information, including special offers, from companies with whom we have formal agreements. These include CGU Insurance Ltd, Swann Insurance (Aust) Ltd. and the RI Advice Group Pty Ltd. This will mean that we need to disclose your personal information to these companies.

You can choose to opt out from direct marketing

Should you wish to be excluded from all forms of direct marketing, please contact us and instruct us accordingly.

External service providers

In our normal course of business, we disclose personal information to external service providers including our:

• Solicitors (Ritchie Parker Alfred Green & Co)
• Accountants
• Approved mortgage insurers
• Internal and external auditors
• Accredited panel valuers

Specific outsourced activities

There are a number of additional specific activities that we outsource, whereby personal information is disclosed, including:

• Clearing of cheques
• Printing of cheque books
• File and data storage
• Mailing of correspondence
• Systems development and maintenance

Strict controls are in place

All of the individuals and organisations to whom we disclose personal information are bound by strict confidentiality agreements. They are not permitted to use your personal information for any purpose other than that for which we have appointed them.

They may not use your personal information for the purpose of direct marketing their own products and services, unless they have otherwise obtained your consent.

Disclosure by law

We will also disclose personal information we have collected where we are required to do so by law, for example under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006.

How do we keep personal information up to date?

We will take reasonable steps to ensure that the personal information we collect, use or disclose is accurate, complete and up to date. If you find that this is not the case, please contact us immediately and we will correct it accordingly.

Our duty of confidentiality

We have a duty to keep all your personal information confidential – except where disclosure is compelled by law, in the public interest, or where we have your consent – either express or implied. So, for example, if you apply for a cheque book, we have implied consent to disclose your name and address to our cheque book printer. It’s also necessary when we provide some other products and/or facilities.

You can access your personal information

You can gain access to your personal information unless certain extenuating circumstances apply, including: that it is unlawful to do so; that it is subject to legal proceedings; that it would have an unreasonable impact on the privacy of others; or that it would prejudicially reveal our intentions in negotiations with you.

We will deal with your request for access in a reasonable time and may recover from you the reasonable cost of supplying such information.

What should you do if you believe that your privacy has been compromised?

You should contact us immediately and we will respond as quickly as possible. You are entitled also to contact the Privacy Commissioner directly. In such instances the Privacy Commissioner would normally refer you back to us to resolve the complaint with you directly, if possible.

Changes to this Policy

We may change our Privacy Policy from time to time, but will remain bound by any legislative requirements. We will notify you about changes to this Privacy Policy by posting an updated version on this website.

Want to know more?

More information on the Privacy Amendment (Private Sector) Act 2000 is available at www.privacy.gov.au