Privacy Policy and Data Processing Agreement
Banks Technologies, LLC Updated: July 2026
This Privacy Policy and Data Processing Agreement ("Policy") applies to all users of the Banks Technologies, LLC platform (hereinafter "Banks"), including appraisers, clients, and referral partners (collectively, "Users"). By checking the acceptance box presented on the Platform, or by accessing or using Banks, you acknowledge and agree to the practices described in this Policy. When you check the acceptance box, the Platform records your name and the date and time of your acceptance, and that record constitutes your electronic acknowledgment of this Policy. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings given in the General Terms and Conditions.
1. Overview
Banks collects and processes only the information reasonably necessary to provide, maintain, secure, and improve the Platform, facilitate communications between Users, verify appraiser credentials, and administer transactions processed through the Platform.
2. Information We Collect
2.1 Information You Provide
Banks may collect information provided by Users when creating accounts, accessing the Platform, participating in appraisal engagements, submitting referrals, or communicating through the Platform. This information may include:
- (a) Account Information: name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and account credentials;
- (b) Business Information: company name, business address, and related business information;
- (c) Professional Information: appraisal license information, certifications, credentials, and verification information;
- (d) Engagement Information: information necessary to facilitate appraisal assignments and communications between Users;
- (e) User Communications: messages, requests, support inquiries, and other communications submitted through the Platform; and
- (f) User-Submitted Content: documents, reports, photographs, or other materials uploaded by Users in connection with appraisal engagements.
2.2 Information We Collect Automatically
When you use the Service, we automatically collect:
- (a) Device Information: Device type, operating system, unique device identifiers, and IP address;
- (b) Usage Data: Service usage patterns, features accessed, time spent on the Service, and search activity;
- (c) Log Data: Access times, Service crashes, and other diagnostic data; and
- (d) Tracking Data: Information collected via cookies, web beacons, pixel tags, and local storage objects (LSOs) as described in the "Cookies and Tracking Technologies" section of this Privacy Policy.
3. How We Use Your Data
Banks processes the data described in Section 2 for the following purposes:
- (a) Creating and maintaining User accounts on the platform;
- (b) Verifying appraiser credentials and licensure status through the Appraisal Subcommittee registry;
- (c) Facilitating communication between appraisers and clients in connection with engagements; and
- (d) Monitoring, analyzing, and improving Platform performance and functionality.
We may disclose your information when required by law or to:
- (a) Comply with court orders, legal processes, or government requests;
- (b) Protect our rights, property, or safety, or those of our users;
- (c) Prevent fraud, security threats, or illegal activity; and
- (d) Enforce our Terms and Conditions.
In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any resulting changes to this Privacy Policy.
4. Payment Processing and Stripe
All payment transactions on the Banks platform are processed by Stripe, Inc. ("Stripe"). Any personal or financial data transmitted to Stripe in connection with payment processing, including but not limited to payment card information, bank account details, Tax Identification Numbers, and W-9 information, is governed exclusively by Stripe's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Stripe independently processes payment and financial information in accordance with Stripe's applicable terms and privacy practices. Banks does not store payment card information or financial account information on its own systems. By using the platform, Users acknowledge and agree that their interactions with Stripe are subject solely to Stripe's terms. Users are encouraged to review Stripe's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Users participating in payment processing through Stripe Connect acknowledge and agree to Stripe's Connected Account Agreement and related terms governing payment processing, tax reporting, and identity verification.
5. Third-Party Service Providers
Banks may share User data with third-party service providers solely to the extent necessary to operate the platform. Banks does not sell User data to any third party. Third-party service providers may include:
- (a) Stripe – payment processing, connected accounts, tax reporting, payment compliance;
- (b) Background check vendors – if applicable for verification purposes; and
- (c) Hosting, cloud infrastructure, security, and technology providers necessary to operate and protect the Platform.
These providers process information pursuant to their own privacy policies and contractual obligations.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to provide the Services, maintain your account, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, enforce our agreements, support fraud prevention and security, and operate our business. Because certain records may be required for legal, regulatory, operational, tax, accounting, audit, or historical purposes, some information may be retained indefinitely unless deletion is required by applicable law or otherwise requested where such deletion rights apply under applicable law.
7. Security
We implement commercially reasonable administrative, physical, and technical measures to protect your personal information, including:
- (a) Encryption of data in transit and at rest;
- (b) Regular security assessments and updates;
- (c) Access controls and multi-factor authentication; and
- (d) Secure data centers and hosting infrastructure, including independent auditing against widely accepted security standards.
You are also responsible for maintaining the security of your account credentials. Do not share your password with anyone, and notify us immediately of any unauthorized account access.
No method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your information, and any transmission is at your own risk.
8. User Rights
8.1 California Residents
If you are a California resident, you have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (collectively, "CCPA"):
- (a) Right to know what categories and specific pieces of personal information we collect, use, and disclose about you;
- (b) Right to correct inaccurate personal information;
- (c) Right to delete personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain exceptions;
- (d) Right to opt out of the sale or sharing of your personal information;
- (e) Right to limit the use and disclosure of sensitive personal information;
- (f) Right to data portability; and
- (g) Right to non-discrimination for exercising any of these rights.
Categories of Personal Information. In the preceding 12 months, we have collected the following categories of personal information, as further described in Section 2 of this Policy: identifiers (name, email, phone number); professional or employment-related information (for appraisers); commercial information (subscription and transaction history); internet or other electronic network activity information; and geolocation data (where permitted by your device settings).
Sale and Sharing. We do not sell your personal information for monetary consideration. We do not "share" personal information, as that term is defined under the CCPA, with third parties for cross-context behavioral advertising.
Verification. To protect your information, we will take steps to verify your identity before fulfilling a request to know, delete, or correct your personal information, which may include matching information you provide against information we already maintain. If we are unable to verify your identity, we may deny your request.
Authorized Agents. You may designate an authorized agent to submit a request to delete your information on your behalf. We may require the agent to provide proof of your authorization and may still require you to verify your own identity directly with us.
How to Submit a Request. To exercise your California privacy rights, contact us using the contact information provided in Section 14 (Contact) and reference "Your California Privacy Rights."
California's "Shine the Light" law (Civil Code § 1798.83) allows California residents to request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for direct marketing. We do not disclose personal information for third-party direct marketing without your consent.
8.2 Other State Residents
Residents of Colorado, Connecticut, Virginia, and many other states may have rights to:
- (a) Confirm whether we process their personal information;
- (b) Access and delete certain personal information;
- (c) Correct inaccuracies in their personal information;
- (d) Request data portability; and
- (e) Opt out of personal data processing for targeted advertising, profiling, or sales.
To exercise any of these rights or appeal a decision regarding a consumer rights request, please contact us as provided in Section 14 (Contact).
9. Opt-Out Rights
You may:
- (a) Unsubscribe from marketing communications by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or contacting us;
- (b) Disable location tracking through your device settings;
- (c) Opt out of data sharing for analytics purposes where applicable; and
- (d) Opt out of targeted advertising by adjusting your account preferences or contacting us.
11. Analytics and Tracking
Banks uses third-party analytics and tracking tools to monitor platform performance and improve the user experience. These tools may collect information about your device, browser, and interactions with the platform. Users may be able to opt out of certain tracking through their browser settings or the opt-out mechanisms provided by the relevant third-party tools.
12. User Submitted Content
Users may upload documents, photographs, reports, appraisal-related materials, or other content in connection with engagements.
Users retain ownership of their submitted content but grant Banks a limited license to host, store, transmit, and process such content solely to operate the Platform and facilitate requested services.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by:
- (a) Posting the updated policy within the website;
- (b) Sending an email notification to your registered email address; and
- (c) Displaying a prominent notice within the website.
The date the policy was last revised is identified at the top of this document. Your continued use of the Service after any modifications constitutes your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
14. Contact
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:
Banks Technologies, LLC Email: privacy@gethomevault.com Address: 125 S Wacker Dr, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60606
To exercise your privacy rights or register a complaint, please use the contact information above and include a description of your request. We respond to all verified requests in accordance with applicable data protection laws.