What companies did you give my information to?
As stated in the policy, we disclose information to process your transactions, follow your instructions, conduct credit union operations, and respond to legal inquires such as subpoenas. Examples include sharing with our credit card processor, for statement generation, to manage our home banking website, and to process ATM transactions.

I don't want solicitations from the companies you disclose my information to. What can I do?
You don't have to do anything. All of the companies we share with (our vendors) are required to sign privacy agreements which states that they may only use the information we give them for the specific purpose defined in their contract or agreement with the Affinity FCU. They cannot solicit you, nor can they use the information for any other purpose.

Why don't I have a choice in sharing my information like my bank gave me?
Affinity FCU does not disclose information outside of the exceptions allowed in the regulation. If you received an option from your bank, this indicates they may disclose information in other circumstances (outside of the exceptions) that requires them to offer you the option to share your information. If we ever decide to share outside of the regulation exceptions, you will receive a new privacy policy and will have the choice to direct us not to share in those circumstances.

I don't want you to share my information with anyone. I don't care what this regulation says.
Many of the companies we share with perform essential operations on behalf of the Credit Union and its members. Simply put, if some information was not shared, we could not offer you a credit card, ATM card, statements, checking accounts, etc. We would not be able to honor your requests. You will have the same issues with any other company.

What do you mean by "affiliates"?
Affinity FCU's affiliates are our Credit Union Service Organizations (CUSO's). They generally provide services that Credit Unions are unable to, such as, Insurance, Investment, and Vehicle services. We own these organizations, so they are considered "affiliates" of the Affinity FCU.

What does it mean when you state that information is disclosed "as permitted by law"?
Examples include sharing information to process credit card transactions, generate statements, operate our home banking website, process ATM transactions, responding to subpoenas and other court ordered actions, and report interest to the IRS.

What is nonpublic personal information?
All of the examples listed in the first bulleted section are examples of non-public personal information. In more general terms, it includes any information members give to us on an application, information obtained in collecting or servicing a loan or any information about our members if it is disclosed in a way that indicates you are a member of Affinity FCU or have obtained a product or service from us.

Why do you disclose my social security number to other companies?
There are very few circumstances where we disclose this information to anyone. Most revolve around legal issues and requirements to process transactions. Examples of this include reporting your interest income to the IRS and for input to credit reporting agencies to obtain a report in the course of processing a loan or collecting a debt.

Why am I receiving this information now?
The regulation (Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act) requires all financial institutions to create and distribute a privacy policy to their customers/members. It must explain how the company will handle your private (nonpublic/personal) information.

What was your policy previously regarding this information?
We have never sold any member lists or information. After we analyzed our current procedures, we determined there were no changes needed to comply with this new regulation. In short, we have never shared information in the past in a way that would be prohibited in the new regulation.

How often are security standards and procedures monitored and adjusted to protect the confidential information from getting into the wrong hands?
These processes are monitored through an on-going process facilitated by our Risk Management and Information Technology divisions. A recent amendment of the NCUA regulation requires specific security and confidentiality standards of all credit unions as of July 1, 2001.

I just received a mortgage from Affinity and I am receiving solicitations from other lending and insurance companies. I don't want you to give out my information.
Affinity FCU does not sell member information, nor did we sell your information. Mortgages are required to be recorded in the county courthouse of the town in which the property is located. Many companies search these records for business leads. This information is a matter of public record, available to anyone.

What are banks doing about privacy?
Banks are subject to the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act as well. Whether they decide to conduct their business within the regulation exceptions, or disclose your information outside of the exceptions will be decided by each individual bank. However, they are required to distribute a privacy policy to each of their consumers. The policy will explain how they handle your private information. If they share outside of the exceptions, you will have a choice to direct them not to share your information in those circumstances.