Privacy Policy
Last updated: January 1, 2025
1. Introduction
At SMELoans.co.nz, we respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or use our services. Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site.
We reserve the right to make changes to this Privacy Policy at any time and for any reason. We will alert you about any changes by updating the "Last Updated" date of this Privacy Policy. You are encouraged to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed of updates.
2. Information We Collect
We collect information that you provide directly to us, including:
- Personal Information: Name, email address, phone number, postal address, and other similar contact data.
- Business Information: Business name, business structure, industry, time in business, annual revenue, and other business-related data.
- Financial Information: Information about your business finances, loan requirements, and credit history.
- Device and Usage Information: Information about how you access and use our website, including your IP address, browser type, operating system, and referring website.
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and hold certain information.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Process and facilitate your loan applications and inquiries
- Connect you with suitable lenders based on your requirements
- Communicate with you about our services, updates, and promotional offers
- Improve our website, services, and user experience
- Analyze usage patterns and trends to enhance our offerings
- Protect against, identify, and prevent fraud and other illegal activities
- Comply with our legal obligations and enforce our terms of service
4. Information Sharing and Disclosure
We may share your information with:
- Lenders and Financial Partners: We share your information with lenders and financial institutions in our network to facilitate your loan application and help you find suitable financing options.
- Service Providers: We may share your information with third-party vendors, service providers, contractors, or agents who perform services for us or on our behalf.
- Business Transfers: If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction.
- Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information where required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities.
We will not sell your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent.
5. Data Security
We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
6. Your Privacy Rights
Under New Zealand's Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to:
- Access your personal information
- Request correction of your personal information
- Request deletion of your personal information in certain circumstances
- Object to processing of your personal information
- Request restriction of processing your personal information
- Request transfer of your personal information
- Withdraw consent where we rely on consent to process your personal information
To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details provided in the "Contact Us" section below.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and store certain information. Cookies are files with a small amount of data which may include an anonymous unique identifier. Cookies are sent to your browser from a website and stored on your device.
You can instruct your browser to refuse all cookies or to indicate when a cookie is being sent. However, if you do not accept cookies, you may not be able to use some portions of our website.
We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential Cookies: Necessary for the website to function properly.
- Preference Cookies: Allow the website to remember choices you have made in the past.
- Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors interact with our website.
- Marketing Cookies: Used to track visitors across websites to display relevant advertisements.
8. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not operated by us. If you click on a third-party link, you will be directed to that third party's site. We strongly advise you to review the Privacy Policy of every site you visit. We have no control over and assume no responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of any third-party sites or services.
9. Children's Privacy
Our website is not intended for children under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 18. If you are a parent or guardian and you are aware that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so that we can take necessary actions.
10. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update our Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.
11. Overseas Disclosure
We may disclose your personal information to recipients located outside New Zealand, including to our service providers and business partners. We take reasonable steps to ensure that overseas recipients handle your personal information in accordance with New Zealand privacy laws.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at: privacy@smeloans.co.nz
If you have a privacy complaint, you may contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner in New Zealand at www.privacy.org.nz.