FirstOntario Privacy Policy

Our Commitment

As a Member-owned financial institution, FirstOntario Credit Union has a long-standing tradition of respecting and safeguarding the personal information of our Members. As part of our ongoing commitment to you, we want you to know our policy on the collection, safekeeping, and use of personal information.

A tradition of respect for rights

Credit unions in Canada have a long history of respecting the rights of their Member/owners. As co-operative financial institutions, credit unions are committed to the development of policies, procedures and service offerings that maintain these rights.

While this means the extension of more efficient and flexible Member services, we are doing even more to protect your privacy and your right to control the collection, use and disclosure of your personal information.

Your credit union Board of Directors has adopted the Credit Union Code for the Protection of Personal Information, related Policies and Procedures, and appointed a Privacy Officer. You are entitled to review the Code at any time, access your personal information, or contact the Privacy Officer about a privacy issue or concern. Through these actions, what has been our accepted practice becomes our documented commitment to you, the Member.

Your Personal Information

We hold personal information about Members to help us meet and maintain the highest standards of financial service. This information can include your name, address, age, income, use of accounts and credit history, as well as the relationship of others linked to you in account services.

We obtain this information from you directly, and from the product and service arrangements you have made with or through us. Information is also obtained with your permission from credit bureaus, other financial institutions and from the references you provide us.

How our Privacy Code protects your Personal Information

We only collect what we absolutely need

With your consent, we only collect personal information from you for the following purposes:

• To understand your needs and to develop, offer and manage products and services that meet those needs;
• To determine the suitability and your eligibility for Member products and services;
• To evaluate your credit standing and to share or exchange reports and information with credit reporting agencies;
• To detect and prevent fraud, and to help safeguard the financial interests of the credit union and its Members;
• To meet legal and regulatory requirements.

Got a question? Ask our Privacy Officer

The credit union Privacy Officer is your point of contact if you wish to raise any matters regarding the use of your personal information.

Privacy Officer

Write: FirstOntario Credit Union Limited

688 Queensdale Avenue East

Hamilton , Ontario L8V 1M1

Phone: 905-388-7991

E-mail: PrivacyOfficer@FirstOntarioCU.com

The Privacy Officer is responsible for monitoring information collection and data security, and ensures that other credit union staff receive appropriate training on privacy issues and their responsibilities under the Code. The Privacy Officer also handles personal information access requests under the Code.

Ultimate responsibility for our compliance with the Code, rests, however, with the credit union Board of Directors. For a complete copy of the 10 Principles of the Credit Union Code for the Protection of Personal Information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We need your consent. Here's how you can provide it

You can provide us with your consent in a variety of ways (depending upon the sensitivity of the information)

- in writing, electronically, or verbally in some instances. Preferably, we will obtain your consent in writing when you become a credit union Member or when you apply for a new credit union service offering.

Your credit union may also provide services in conjunction with financial services partners. These companies include: Credit Union Members Insurance Society (CUMIS), Credential Group, Co-operative Trust Company of Canada, The Co-operators Insurance, Ethical Funds Inc., MBNA Canada Inc., or other similar organizations that espouse credit union goals and values and provide useful and valuable Member services.

The consent forms below provide you with an opportunity to affirm your consent in writing or to limit the uses and disclosures of your personal information should you choose to do so. You can mail, fax or personally return the attached forms.

If, for whatever reason, you do not provide us with your written consent or limit or withdraw your consent, we will assume that we have your implied consent for the continuing use of your personal information for purposes described within this brochure, including disclosure to other financial sevices partners.

You can limit or withdraw your consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual obligations. For example, your credit union is required by law to provide a record of your interest earning information to the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency.

To provide your consent please choose one the following:

Personal Information Consent Form

Personal Information Limiting Consent Form

The FirstOntario Privacy Policy provides a more comprehensive look at our privacy commitment to you. If you have any questions concerning our policy, or would like further information contact our Privacy Officer using the contact information above.