Fusion Credit Union

Privacy Code

In April 2000, the House of Commons enacted the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act which affects the way corporations collect, maintain and use personally identifiable information. Fusion Credit Union has always treated information in a confidential manner and is committed to keeping personal information confidential, secure and private.

Fusion Credit Union has an inherent responsibility to be open and accessible while at the same time demonstrating the greatest respect for the protection of members’ personal privacy. In adopting the Privacy Code for the Protection of Personal Information, what has been accepted practice becomes a documented commitment to our members. Fusion’s Privacy Code provides guidelines that Fusion uses to protect the privacy of personally identifiable information that is collected, used, disclosed or communicated to Fusion by their members or the public. This Code is based on the 10 privacy protection principles laid out in the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Model Code for the Protection of Personal Information and applies to all aspects of information handling within Fusion Credit Union.

Ten interrelated principles form the basis of Fusion’s Code for the Protection of Personal Information (“the Code”). Each principle must be read in conjunction with the accompanying commentary.

Principle 1 – Accountability: Fusion Credit Union is responsible for personal information under its control and shall designate an individual who is accountable for Fusion’s compliance with the principles of the Code.

Principle 2 – Identifying Purposes: The purposes for which personal information is collected shall be identified by Fusion at or before the time the information is collected.

Principle 3 – Consent: The knowledge and consent of the individual is required for the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information, except where inappropriate.

Principle 4 – Limiting Collection: The collection of personal information shall be limited to that which is necessary for the purposes identified by the credit union. Information shall be collected by fair and lawful means.

Principle 5 – Limiting Use, Disclosure, and Retention: Personal information shall not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with the consent of the individual or as required by law. Personal information shall be retained only as long as necessary for the fulfillment of those purposes.

Principle 6 – Accuracy: Personal information shall be as accurate, complete, and up-to-date as is necessary for the purposes for which it is to be used.

Principle 7 – Safeguards: Security safeguards appropriate to the sensitivity of the information shall protect personal information. Fusion will employ the same standard of care as it takes to safeguard its own confidential information of a similar nature.

Principle 8 – Openness: Fusion shall make readily available specific, understandable information about its policies and practices relating to the management of personal information.

Principle 9 – Individual Access: Upon request, an individual shall be informed of the existence, use, and disclosure of their personal information, and shall be given access to that information. An individual is entitled to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended as appropriate.

Principle 10 – Compliance: Fusion Credit Union has designated a privacy officer to address concerns regarding privacy and ensure that policy requirement and procedures are satisfied. All inquiries regarding privacy should be directed in writing to the privacy officer by e-mail, or mail at the address below.

To find out more about our privacy policies, or if you have any concerns about our Privacy Code or Privacy Practices, please contact us by email or in writing:

Email:

privacyofficer@fusioncu.com

Mail:

Attn: Privacy Officer

Unit E, 1212-18th Street
Brandon, MB R7A 5C3

Why We Collect Personal Information

Part of Fusion's mission is to support you, our member, with financial guidance. In order for us to fulfill this mission, we need to collect and use personal information that enables us to determine your financial needs, and provide you with the products and services to fulfil these needs. More specifically, we collect personal information to:

Understand your needs for financial products, services and advice.
Determine the suitability and your eligibility of the products or services we offer.
Offer and manage products and services to meet your needs.
Provide you with ongoing service.
Detect and prevent fraud, and to help safeguard the financial interests of the Credit Union and its members.
Meet legal and regulatory requirements.
Help Fusion develop product and service offerings that our members want and need.

What Personal Information We Collect

Examples of personal information we collect, and our primary uses of it include:

Contact Information. To provide you with products and services, as well as to ensure we can effectively communicate with you, we collect your contact information, including your mailing address, phone numbers and email address.

Date of birth. Knowing your birth date helps us identify you and reduces the risk if someone is trying to impersonate you.

Financial Information. Your financial information is required for Fusion to understand your eligibility for products and services as well as to formulate and provide you with sound financial advice.

Social Insurance Number or Tax Information Number (SIN or Tax ID)- We require your Social Insurance Number and/or if a foreign citizen, your Tax Identification Number to comply with Canada Revenue Agency's income reporting requirements. We also use your Social Insurance Number to match you with credit bureaus and other financial institutions. We do not require your SIN if you do not have interest-bearing or registered products with us, and you can opt out of Fusion using your SIN for Credit Bureau matching purposes.

Health Information- Health information may be required to determine your eligibility for insurance products.

Declaration of Tax Residency- Canada is party to both the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act and the Common Reporting Standards, both of which require Canadian financial institutions to determine and disclose to the Canada Revenue Agency whether you are a foreign tax resident.

Information to Help Identify Illegal Activity

As a Canadian Financial Institution, there are regulatory requirements to collect information about you and the purposes for opening a membership and the associated financial accounts. The following information is collected and used to help us understand the types of activity we can expect with your accounts. Additionally, this information helps inform our transaction monitoring efforts to protect you from fraud.

Intended use of your accounts- The purpose for which you will use your accounts
Identification documentation- to authenticate your identity
Your occupation and employer- to understand your sources of income
Politically Exposed Person Status- Our regulators require we have this information in your file

How we Collect Personal Information:

We obtain personal information from our conversations with you, and also in the process of providing you with products and services. We only collect the personal information that we need to provide you with financial advice, products and services, and we will only use the information that we collect for the purposes we disclose to you

Fusion Credit Union members have a right to access the personal information we hold, and we are committed to resolving any concerns you have regarding privacy. If you would like information about access to your information, or have a privacy concern:

Talk to your Branch Representative or Branch Manager. In most cases, a question or concern regarding our Privacy Policy or practices can be resolved through discussion with your local branch representative or Branch Manager. If your complaint or access request has not been satisfied at your local branch, please contact your Privacy Officer.

Contact Fusion Credit Union’s Privacy Officer. If an issue concerning privacy is not resolved to your satisfaction and/or you would like additional information, you are encouraged to contact our Privacy Officer. The Privacy Office will respond to your request or complaint within 30 days of receiving the inquiry. If there are any costs associated with the information gathering, we will notify you in advance.

Please note that if your compliant is not satisfactorily resolved by Fusion Credit Union’s Privacy Officer, you may contact the Board of Directors with your concern. If this step is required, the Privacy Officer will facilitate your contact with the Board of Directors.

Privacy