PRIVACY POLICY
At Elite Lending Corp., we are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal information of our clients (individually, the “Client” and collectively, the “Clients”.) As financial service providers, we have a professional obligation to maintain in confidence information we receive within our role as a financial services provider. The purpose of this Privacy Policy is to advise clients as to why we ask for personal information, how we use it, what safeguards we employ, and how to contact us with privacy-related matters.
What Is Personal Information?
In this Privacy Policy, “Personal Information” means information that is gathered in connection with an application, pre-approval, request for information for a mortgage(s) or loan(s) and insurance or other product through Elite Lending or Elite Lending affiliates and is provided to, or collected by, Elite Lending and its staff or by Elite Lending’s agents, associates, and affiliates on Elite Lending’s behalf (collectively, “Elite Lending”).
Why Elite Lending Collects Personal Information
Elite Lending collects and uses Personal Information for the following purposes:
Except when otherwise permitted by law, we will only use a Client’s Personal Information for the purposes identified to the Client. When Personal Information is to be used for a purpose not identified, we will take all reasonable steps to ensure that new purpose is identified prior to use.
How Do We Collect Personal Information?
The Client is our main source of information. With the Client’s consent, we may also obtain information directly from a third party to help us determine eligibility for various financial products and services. For credit matters, for example, it is essential that we know the clients’ financial worth as well as the clients’ credit record. We will also contact other lenders, financial institutions, credit bureaus and employers. Consent is therefore important because without it, we will not be able to carry out the appropriate inquiries and it might be difficult for us to offer the credit product requested. In most cases, consent is given on the forms used for specific products or, from time to time, on a separate form. The declaration of consent is clear and unambiguous.
Consent
A clients’ provision of Personal Information to Elite Lending means that they agree and consent that Elite Lending can collect, use and disclose such Personal Information in compliance with this Privacy Policy. Elite Lending will not collect, use or disclose a Client’s Personal Information without the Client’s requisite consent, except in certain extraordinary circumstances. Such extraordinary circumstances shall include without limitation, when legal, medical, or security reasons make it impossible or impractical to obtain consent or where it is otherwise in the best interests of the Client.
The most common method we use to obtain a Client’s consent is by way of the Client’s consent as confirmed by the application or Client Agreement. Where practicable, we may also obtain a Client’s consent through oral communications or other written documentation.
Our Clients may withdraw their consent by written notice to us at any time, subject to any legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice. A Client’s refusal to provide, or subsequent withdrawal of, his or her consent may affect Elite Lending’s ability to provide the Client with mortgage services. A member of Elite Lending will inform the Client of the implications of such withdrawal. To withdraw consent, a Client should contact the Operations Director in writing at:
Attn: Operations Director
Elite Lending Corp.
13986 Cambie Rd. #278
Richmond, BC V6V 2K3
604-456-0970
Use and Disclosure of Personal Information
We will use a Client’s Personal Information to provide financial advice and services to the Client, to administer our database, to include Clients in direct marketing Activities and for the other uses described above under the heading “Why Elite Lending Collects Personal Information”. Under certain circumstances, Elite Lending will disclose a Client’s personal information to third parties. Specifically, Personal Information may be used, shared and disclosed to, from, or with, the members of Elite Lending, witnesses in a litigation proceeding, experts retained on a Client’s behalf, private investigators, agents retained on behalf of a Client, credit reporting agencies, credit bureaus, as well as such other third parties as are necessary to facilitate the matter for which the Client has retained our office and provided its consent.
Under certain circumstances Elite Lending may disclose Personal Information where:
Limiting collection and retention of Personal Information
Elite Lending limits the collection of a Client’s Personal Information to that which is necessary for the purposes identified in this Privacy Policy as same may be amended from time to time, or for any additional purpose identified to the Client before the collection of the Personal Information. As well, Personal Information is not used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was originally collected, except with the consent of the Client or as otherwise permitted by law.
Elite Lending will retain Personal Information only for so long as it is needed to fulfill the purposes for which it was obtained and to meet our professional requirements as set out our governing regulatory bodies and/or any other legal requirement, statutory or otherwise, from time to time.
Accuracy
Elite Lending strives to ensure that a Client’s Personal Information is as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is used.
Safeguards
Elite Lending endeavours to maintain adequate safeguards to protect against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, use or modification of Clients’ Personal Information in the care of Elite Lending. Elite Lending uses various methods to safeguard personal information, including physical security, computer and electronic security, destruction of information no longer needed, and contractual protections with third party data processors.
Protection
Client lists are never passed on to third parties other than affiliated members of Elite Lending. When they are hired, our employees and agents must undertake to respect the confidential nature of client information. Only employees and associates who need to view the file as part of their work have access to this information.
Accountability, Openness and Client Access
Elite Lending is responsible for the Personal Information under its control and has appointed a Chief Privacy Officer to oversee our efforts to comply in all material respects with applicable privacy legislation and the terms of this Privacy Policy. The Operations Director and those designated by the Operations Director address and investigate questions or concerns regarding a Client’s Personal Information.
Elite Lending will provide a Client access to their Personal Information. The Client may correct or amend any inaccuracies in the Client’s Personal Information. Elite Lending has the right to refuse a request for access to Personal Information if:
Changes to Privacy Policy
Elite Lending will from time to time review and revisit privacy practices and this Privacy Policy.
Elite Lending Web site
Our Web site may contain links to other sites, which are not governed by this Privacy Policy. On our Web site, like most other commercial Web sites, we may monitor traffic patterns, site usage and related site information in order to optimize our web service. We may provide aggregated information to third parties, but these statistics do not include any identifiable personal information.
Communicating with Elite Lending
We recognize that convenience and quick access to advice must be balanced with security needs. We use many different means to communicate with clients, some of which are more convenient such as e-mail. Our emails are sent with industry standard 128 bit encryption. Such encryption however does not guarantee privacy and security as encrypted messages can nonetheless be subject to interception and translation. If clients do not wish us to communicate by e-mail, they may speak with the consultant/broker/agent handling the matter about alternative arrangements.
Attn: Operations Director
Elite Lending Corp.
13986 Cambie Rd. #278
Richmond, BC V6V 2K3
604-456-0970