Privacy Policy

At Blue Eagle Credit Union, protecting your privacy and safeguarding your personal information is one of our highest priorities. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share your information when you use our services, visit our website, or interact with us.

By becoming a member of Blue Eagle Credit Union or using our services, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy. Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information to provide you with quality financial services, comply with legal requirements, and improve your experience with Blue Eagle Credit Union.

1.1 Personal Information You Provide

When you apply for membership, open accounts, or use our services, we collect:

• Identity Information: Name, date of birth, Social Security number, government-issued ID
• Contact Information: Address, phone number, email address
• Financial Information: Income, employment details, account numbers, transaction history
• Loan Application Data: Credit history, assets, debts, financial statements
• Authentication Data: Username, password, security questions and answers

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you use our website, mobile app, or online services, we automatically collect:

• Device Information: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers
• Usage Data: Pages visited, time spent, links clicked, features used
• Location Information: General geographic location (with your permission)
• Cookies and Similar Technologies: Session data, preferences, analytics information

1.3 Information from Third Parties

We may receive information from:

• Credit Bureaus: Credit reports and scores when you apply for loans or credit
• Identity Verification Services: To prevent fraud and verify your identity
• Other Financial Institutions: When you transfer accounts or request information
• Public Records: Property records, court records as necessary for lending decisions

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your information for legitimate business purposes to serve you better:

2.1 Provide Financial Services

• Open and manage your accounts
• Process transactions, deposits, and withdrawals
• Evaluate and process loan applications
• Provide customer service and support
• Send account statements and important notices

2.2 Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Verify your identity and prevent fraud
• Comply with federal and state banking regulations
• Report to credit bureaus as required
• Respond to legal requests and court orders
• Meet anti-money laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements

2.3 Improve and Personalize Services

• Analyze usage patterns to enhance our website and mobile app
• Develop new products and services that meet your needs
• Customize your experience based on preferences
• Conduct research and analysis for service improvements

2.4 Marketing and Communications

• Send information about new products and services that may interest you
• Provide financial education resources
• Notify you about special offers and member benefits
• Send newsletters and community updates (with your consent)

3. How We Protect Your Information

Security is paramount at Blue Eagle Credit Union. We implement comprehensive safeguards to protect your personal and financial information.

3.1 Technical Security Measures

• Encryption: 256-bit SSL encryption for all online transactions and data transmission
• Firewalls: Advanced firewall systems to prevent unauthorized access
• Multi-Factor Authentication: Additional verification layers for online banking
• Secure Data Centers: Information stored in highly secure, monitored facilities
• Regular Security Updates: Continuous system updates to address vulnerabilities
• Intrusion Detection: 24/7 monitoring for suspicious activity

3.2 Administrative Safeguards

• Employee training on data privacy and security protocols
• Strict access controls—employees only access information necessary for their job
• Background checks for all employees handling sensitive data
• Regular security audits and compliance reviews
• Incident response plans for potential security breaches

3.3 Physical Security

• Secure branch locations with surveillance systems
• Locked filing cabinets for physical documents
• Controlled access to facilities and data centers
• Secure disposal of documents containing personal information

4. How We Share Your Information

Blue Eagle Credit Union does not sell your personal information. We only share information when necessary to provide services or as required by law.

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who help us operate, including:

• Payment processors and card networks (Visa, Mastercard)
• Check printing and processing companies
• Credit reporting agencies
• IT service providers and cloud hosting companies
• Marketing and analytics providers
• Loan servicing companies

These providers are contractually required to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide to us.

4.2 With Your Consent

• When you authorize us to share information with specific third parties
• When you use third-party financial apps that connect to your account (with explicit permission)

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may share information when required by law:

• In response to subpoenas, court orders, or legal process
• To comply with regulatory reporting requirements
• To report suspected fraud or illegal activity to authorities
• To protect our rights, property, or safety

4.4 Business Transfers

In the unlikely event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the new entity. We would notify you of any such change and how it affects your privacy rights.

4.5 Affiliates and Partners

We may share information with affiliated companies or credit union service organizations (CUSOs) that help us provide enhanced services. These organizations are bound by the same privacy protections.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website and mobile app use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and understand how you use our services.

5.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device that help websites remember your preferences and provide functionality. We use both session cookies (which expire when you close your browser) and persistent cookies (which remain until deleted or expired).

5.2 Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for online banking functionality and security
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website (Google Analytics)
• Marketing Cookies: Track effectiveness of marketing campaigns (with consent)

5.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality, particularly for online banking. Most browsers allow you to:

• View what cookies are stored and delete them individually
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from specific sites
• Clear all cookies when you close your browser

5.4 Other Tracking Technologies

• Web Beacons: Small graphics used in emails to track opens and clicks
• Mobile Analytics: Usage data from our mobile app to improve functionality
• Local Storage: HTML5 storage for app performance

6. Your Privacy Rights

You have important rights regarding your personal information. Blue Eagle Credit Union respects these rights and provides ways to exercise them.

6.1 Access and Portability

• Request a copy of the personal information we have about you
• Receive your information in a commonly used, machine-readable format
• View your transaction history and account statements at any time

6.2 Correction and Updates

• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Update your contact information, preferences, and settings
• Request changes through online banking, mobile app, or by contacting us

6.3 Deletion and Restriction

• Request deletion of your information (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Restrict certain uses of your information
• Close your accounts (after settling any outstanding balances)

6.4 Marketing Opt-Out

• Opt out of marketing emails, calls, or mailings at any time
• Manage communication preferences in your online banking settings
• Unsubscribe from emails via the link in each message

6.5 California Privacy Rights (CCPA)

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act:

• Know what personal information is collected, used, and shared
• Request deletion of personal information
• Opt out of the "sale" of personal information (we don't sell data)
• Non-discrimination for exercising your rights

6.6 European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are in the European Economic Area, you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation:

• Right to be informed about data processing
• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing

7. Children's Privacy

Blue Eagle Credit Union offers youth savings accounts and services designed for minors. We are committed to protecting children's privacy in accordance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

7.1 Accounts for Minors

• Youth accounts are opened by parents or legal guardians
• We collect only information necessary to provide account services
• Parents/guardians control account access and communications
• We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 without parental consent

7.2 Parental Controls

Parents and guardians can:

• Review any information collected from their child
• Request deletion of their child's information
• Refuse further collection or use of their child's information
• Control communication preferences for youth accounts

If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13 without proper consent, please contact us immediately and we will delete it.

8. Data Retention

We retain your information for as long as necessary to provide services and comply with legal obligations.

8.1 Active Accounts

While your accounts are active, we retain all information necessary to provide services, process transactions, and meet regulatory requirements.

8.2 Closed Accounts

After you close an account, we retain information for periods required by law, typically:

• Transaction records: 7 years (federal banking regulations)
• Account opening documents: 5-7 years
• Loan documents: 7 years after final payment
• Credit reports: As required by Fair Credit Reporting Act

8.3 Marketing Data

Marketing communications data is retained until you opt out or for a reasonable period to honor your preferences.

8.4 Legal Holds

In cases of litigation, investigations, or regulatory inquiries, we may retain information longer as legally required.

9. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, and we may integrate with third-party services. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those external sites or services.

9.1 External Links

We provide links to external websites for your convenience. When you click these links, you leave our website and are subject to the privacy policies of those sites. We are not responsible for:

• Content or privacy practices of third-party websites
• Information you provide to external sites
• Third-party cookies or tracking technologies

9.2 Third-Party Apps and Services

If you use third-party financial apps or aggregation services (like Mint, YNAB, or others) that connect to your Blue Eagle account:

• You explicitly authorize information sharing with that service
• Their privacy policy governs how they use your information
• You can revoke access at any time through online banking settings
• We are not responsible for their security or privacy practices

We recommend reviewing the privacy policies of any third-party services before connecting your accounts.

10. International Users

Blue Eagle Credit Union is based in Virginia, United States, and our services are designed for U.S. residents. If you access our services from outside the United States:

• Your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States
• U.S. privacy laws may differ from those in your country
• By using our services, you consent to the transfer and processing of your information in the U.S.
• We comply with applicable international privacy frameworks where required

If you have concerns about international data transfers, please contact our Privacy Officer before using our services.

11. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors.

11.1 Notice of Changes

When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Post the updated policy on our website
• Notify you via email or through online banking for significant changes
• Provide a summary of key changes when appropriate

11.2 Material Changes

For material changes that significantly affect how we collect, use, or share your information, we will provide prominent notice and may require your consent before the changes take effect.

11.3 Your Continued Use

Your continued use of our services after we post changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with changes, please contact us to discuss options for your accounts.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, we're here to help.

For general inquiries or to exercise your privacy rights, you may also visit any of our branch locations or contact us through our contact form.