Alert Microfinance Bank Ltd values the privacy of its savings account users and is committed to protecting their personal information. At Alert MFB Ltd. (hereinafter called “Bank”), we treat your personal information as private and confidential. We are dedicated to protecting your privacy and providing you with the highest level of security at any point of interaction with us. This Privacy Policy describes what personal information we collect, what we do with it, and how we protect it. This policy (together with our Terms and Conditions) sets out the basis on which personal data we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed by us. Please read the following carefully to understand our views and practices regarding your data and how we will treat it. By continuing to visit our website (https://alertmfb.com.ng) and other Bank customer touchpoints, you accept and consent to the practices described in this policy
This Privacy Policy applies to all information collected through the bank including but not limited to information provided by you, information automatically collected by us, and information obtained from third-party sources. The collection and processing of your all savings account users’ personal data is in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023 (“the Act” or “NDPA”), and the provisions and prescriptions of Section 5; Part 1 and Part 2 of National Information Systems and Network Security Standards and Guidelines.
Alert MFB obtains the following types of information from you:
Personal Information: This includes information such as name, email address, and other contact information provided by you when you create an account on Alert MFB or make a transaction.
House Address: Alert MFB shall collect your house address to provide location-based services or to verify identity which serves as part of our “know your customer” (KYC) process.
BVN and NIN: Alert MFB shall collect your Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) to verify your identity for financial transactions.
Mobile Number: Alert MFB shall collect your mobile number provided by you during registration. This information is used to send you transaction notifications and to reach out to you when where necessary.
Next of Kin Details: Alert MFB shall collect information about your next of kin in order to provide emergency contact information in the event we are unable to contact you.
Work Background: Alert MFB shall collect information about your educational background and professional experience to better match you with potential employers or projects.
Information we collect and use
We collect information about you from a variety of sources, such as website visits, applications, identification documents, personal financial statements, interactions with relationship managers, and other third parties (credit bureaus, payment gateways, other financial institutions...), and other written or electronic communication reflecting information such as your name, address, passport details, identification numbers, biometric information, telephone number, location, occupation, assets, income and any other information we deem necessary.
We may also use your transactional account history including your account balance, payment records, and debit/credit card usage. We may also use information received from third parties such as family, solicitors, friends, or employers, website/ social media pages made public by you, government agencies, regulators, supervisory or credit agencies.
We may also collect other information such as video footage of you whenever you step into any of our branches, telephone conversations when you call any of our contact center lines.
Alert MFB uses the information collected from you to provide, maintain, and improve its services, as well as to:
Enable transactions: Alert MFB uses financial information to process payments and provide you with receipts for your transactions.
We undertake to preserve the confidentiality of all our savings account users’ information provided through Alert MFB. Information you provide or obtain from us shall be subject to the highest standards of privacy, security, and confidentiality and such information will not be disclosed to any third party, except as outlined in this Privacy Policy or as required by law.
Service Providers: We may share personal information provided with service providers who assist with the operation and maintenance of Alert MFB. These service providers are subject to confidentiality agreements and are only authorized to use the information to provide their services.
Legal Disclosures: We may disclose personal information if required to do so by law or in good faith, believe that such disclosure is necessary to comply with legal proceedings, respond to claims, or protect the rights, property, or safety of Alert MFB, its users, or the public.
Unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law, we will only hold our savings account users’ data on our system for the period necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy. Even if we delete your data, it may persist on backup or archival media for legal, tax, or regulatory purposes.
All our savings account users have the right to ask us not to process their personal data for marketing purposes and to withdraw their consent at any time. Please note that the withdrawal of consent will not affect the lawful processing of data that we have obtained based on your previous consent. We will usually inform you (before collecting your data) if we intend to use your data for the aforementioned purposes or if we intend to disclose your information to any third party for such purposes. You have the right to correct any information already provided by you and to also update your information. You can access, request, restrict the use of your information and also request that your information be deleted from our records.
We take reasonable measures to protect the security of personal information collected through Alert MFB from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way by a third party. However, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee the absolute security of personal information. In the event of a data breach, we shall promptly notify affected users and take appropriate steps to secure their information.
In the event of an unauthorized use of your Alert MFB account, you agree to promptly notify us of such breach.
We may use cookies to save our account users’ preferences, customize the content, and analyze usage activity when you visit our website www.alertmfb.com.ng. You can turn off cookies in your browser settings if you do not wish to have this information stored. Cookies are small text files stored on your computer or mobile devices whenever you visit a website. Cookies have many uses, such as memorizing your preferences to tailor your experiences while on our site– or to help us analyze our website traffic.
Alert MFB uses cookies to improve your experience while on this site. We would like to let you know a few things about our cookies:
Some cookies are essential to access certain areas of this site;
We use analytics cookies to help us understand how you use our site to discover what content is most useful to you;
Kindly refer to our cookie policy for more information on cookies.
Session Cookies: are cookies that expire when you end the session (leave the site or close your browser). Session cookies are used to store certain information while you use the site that makes navigation and your experience on our site easier and more convenient.
Persistent Cookies: are cookies that remain stored on your device until their expiry dates are exceeded or until they are deleted. They are used to store preferences so that the website can remember your choices the next time you access the site. They are used to provide a more customized experience to you whenever you access our website.
In addition to the above types, If you follow a link from our website to another website, please be aware that the owner of the other website will have their own privacy and cookie policies for their site. Please check the relevant third-party website for more information on their use of cookies.
Our cookies never store personal or sensitive information; they simply hold a unique random reference to you so that once you visit the site, we can recognize who you are and provide certain content to you The cookies we use cannot read or search your computer or mobile device to obtain information about you or your family or read any material kept on your device.
The collection and use of our savings account users’ personal data by Alert MFB is guided by certain principles. These principles state that personal data should
be processed fairly, lawfully, and in a transparent manner.
be obtained for a specified and lawful purpose and shall not be processed in any manner incompatible with such purposes.
be adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary to fulfil the purpose of processing.
be accurate and where necessary, up-to-date. In the event data is inaccurate, steps should be taken to rectify or erase such data.
not be kept for longer than necessary for the purpose of processing.
be processed in accordance with the data subject’s rights
be kept safe from unauthorized processing, and accidental loss, damage, or destruction using adequate technical and organizational measures.
Any personal information provided by you to Alert MFB will be used with your consent, or when we have another lawful reason. These include
Cases where processing of personal data is required for the fulfilment of a contractual obligation.
Cases where processing of personal data is required for compliance with legal and/or regulatory requirements.
Cases where processing is required to protect your vital interest or that of any other natural person.
Cases where processing is required for an activity to be carried out in significant public interest.
Cases where processing is required for legitimate interests of Alert MFB or a third party insofar as this does not conflict with the requirements for the protection of your personal data.
Your personal information is used in:
Updating and enhancing Alert MFB records
Executing your instructions.
Establishing your identity and assessing applications for our products and services
Pricing and designing our products and services
Administering our products and services
Managing our relationship with you
Managing our risks
Identifying and investigating illegal activity (i.e.), such as fraud
Contacting you, for example in instances where we suspect fraud on your account or when the need arises to tell you about recent occurrences in the banking sector or some event(s) of significance.
Conducting and improving our businesses and improving your experience with us
Reviewing credit or loan eligibility.
Preventing money laundering or terrorism financing activities.
Complying with our legal obligations and assisting government and law enforcement agencies or regulators/supervisors
Identifying and informing you about other products or services that we think may be of interest to you.
Processing your job application if you apply for a job with us, including processing your sensitive data for medical screening.
We may also collect, use, and exchange your information in other ways permitted by law.
We sometimes use automated systems and software to help us reach decisions about you, for example, to make credit decisions, to carry out security, fraud, and money laundering checks, or to process your data when you apply for some of our products and services.
This type of processing is carried out under lawful basis and you can contact us to request that automated processing be reviewed by a human being if you detect any inaccuracies in your personal data.
Alert MFB Branches
Regulators/Supervisors, Government Agencies/courts - It may be necessary by law, legal process, litigation, and/or requests from public and governmental authorities within or outside your country of residence for Alert MFB to disclose your personal information. We may also disclose information about you if we determine that for purposes of national security, law enforcement, or other issues of public importance, disclosure is necessary or appropriate.;
External Auditors;
Alert MFB staff.
Credit Agencies;
Correspondent banks;
Alert MFB strategic partners/service providers – to improve and provide our products and services to you. Your Personal information will not be shared with third parties for their marketing purposes.
We may also disclose information about our savings account users if we determine that disclosure is reasonably necessary to enforce our terms and conditions or protect our operations or users. Additionally, in the event of a reorganization, merger, or sale we may transfer any personal information we collect to the relevant third party.
Information about our customers and their usage of our website is not shared with third parties for their marketing purposes. We do not disclose any information about any user’s usage of our website except in specific cases, and we do not share information with any unaffiliated third parties for marketing purposes unless you expressly permit us to do so.
We take appropriate technical and organizational measures to prevent loss, unauthorized access, misuse, modification, or disclosure of information under our control. This may include the use of encryption, access controls, and other forms of security to ensure that your data is protected. We require all parties including our staff and third parties processing data on our behalf to comply with relevant policies and guidelines to ensure that information is protected in use, when stored, and during transmission.
Your personal information with us remains secure because:
We use strict security measures and technologies to prevent fraud and intrusion.
Our Security controls and processes are regularly updated to meet and exceed industry standards.
Our employees are trained to respect the confidentiality of any personal information held by us
Where we have provided you (or where you have chosen) a password that grants you access to specific areas on our site, you are responsible for keeping this password confidential. We request that you do not share your password or other authentication details (e.g. token generated codes) with anyone.
All Personal Information you provide to us is stored on our secure servers as well as secure physical locations and cloud infrastructure (where applicable) to provide seamless services to you, including but not limited to ensuring business continuity, the data that we collect from you may be transferred to or stored in cloud locations at globally accepted vendors' data center. Whenever your information is transferred to other locations, we will take all necessary steps to ensure that your data is handled securely and in accordance with this privacy policy.
You have certain rights available to you, these include
The right to access your personal information held by us. Your right of access can be exercised by sending an email to customercare@alertgroup.com.ng Call: 02013301818
The right to rectify inaccurate or incomplete information.
withdraw consent for processing in cases where consent has previously been given.
restrict or object to the processing of your data. We might continue to process your data if there are valid legal or operational reasons
You also have the right to:
Request that your data be made available to you in a common electronic format and/or request that such data be sent to a third party.
Request that your information be erased. We might continue to retain such data if there are valid legal, regulatory, or operational reasons.
If you suspect any violation of your right, you can send your complaint to the Data Protection supervisory authority in Nigeria, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC), at info@ndpc.gov.ng ; additionally, it can also be addressed to customercare@alertgroup.com.ng Call: 02013301818
Maintain accurate information
Keeping your account information accurate and up to date is very important. You have access to your account information, which includes your contact information, account balances, transactions and similar information through various means, such as account statements, SMS Banking, Social Media Banking and Internet Banking.
If you discover any inaccuracies in your personal information, please promptly notify us, via our branch network or Contact Centre, and provide the required documentary evidence, to enable us to implement the necessary updates or changes.
Alert Microfinance Bank Limited comprises Alert MFB branches.
Alert MFB websites, products, applications, and services may contain links to third-party websites, products, and services. Our products and services may also use or offer products or services from third parties. Information collected by third parties, which may include such things as location data or contact details is governed by their privacy practices and Alert MFB will not be liable for any breach of confidentiality or privacy of your information on such sites. We encourage you to learn about the privacy practices of those third parties.
Alert MFB may interact with registered users of various social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn and Instagram. Please note that any content you post to such social media platforms (e.g. pictures, information or opinions), as well as any personal information that you otherwise make available to users (e.g. your profile) is subject to the applicable social media platform’s terms of use and privacy policies. We recommend that you review this information carefully in order to better understand your rights and obligations with regard to such content.
Keeping your account information accurate and up to date is very important. You have access to your account information, which includes your contact information, account balances, transactions and similar information through various means, such as account statements, SMS Banking, Social Media Banking and Internet Banking. If you discover any inaccuracies in your personal information, please promptly notify us, via our branch network or Contact Centre, and provide the required documentary evidence, to enable us to implement the necessary updates or changes.
This policy may be revised on an ad-hoc basis to reflect the legal, regulatory and operating environment and such revised versions will automatically become applicable to you. We will post any revisions we make to our Privacy Policy on this page and such revised policy becomes effective as at the time it is posted. We will notify you when any changes to our privacy policy have been made. We also encourage you to check this page from time to time for updates to this policy
Each of the parties will be entitled to enforce its rights in the event of a breach of the terms of this privacy policy, to recover damages caused by any breach of the provisions herein, and to exercise all other rights existing under the law. Any claim or dispute arising concerning this privacy policy shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We shall not be liable for any breach where a claim in respect of such breach is not brought within one month of the date that such breach arose.
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in its practices or services. The updated Privacy Policy will be posted on Alert MFB website and will be effective immediately upon posting. You are encouraged to review this Privacy Policy regularly to stay informed about how we protect your personal information.
If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information by Alert MFB, please contact us at: Email: customercare@alertgroup.com.ng Call: 02013301818