Privacy Policy | Bridging Loan Rates

Who We Are

Bridging Loan Rates is a trading name of Charles Frank Finance Limited, an FCA-authorised credit broker (FRN 624668). We are the data controller for the personal information we collect through this website. Our registered address is 89 Cardiff Road, Taffswell, Cardiff CF15 7PL. The processing of your data is necessary because you are asking the firm to take specific steps in your interest by entering into a contract with us to source a mortgage, finance, and/or an insurance product for you. Without the data being provided, we cannot carry out the high level of service we wish to provide. We have a legitimate interest in collecting your data to enable us to complete any contractual arrangements and personalise your experience with us.

How We Collect Data

Your information may be passed on to us from a third party with your knowledge or permission. They may ask our firm to contact you by telephone, text message, letter, email, social media, or fax, or you may make enquiries through our website. We collect data to source a relevant and suitable mortgage, loan, finance, and/or insurance product for you, or to make introductions to other firms where we do not have access to certain products. Our firm can collect data through our website via the use of "cookies," small text files that can be read by the web server in the domain that places the cookie on your computer's hard drive. Cookies may store your preferences and settings to help you when accessing our website. You have the option to accept, block, or delete cookies.

Lawful Basis of Processing

From time to time, we may purchase contact details of individuals who might be interested in hearing from us. These may come from retailers or companies conducting surveys or social media engagement. Before we purchase contact information, we check the wording used when your information was originally collected to ensure we process your data in line with regulations. Where data is shared outside the EEA, we will take necessary measures to protect your data.

What Data Do We Collect?

To source the most suitable products for you, we need to collect data about you and your family (limited to information necessary for our services). This may include details about your: • Occupation, income, and expenditure • Financial commitments and credit facilities • Bank details, mortgages, and insurances • Health, medical history, and ethnic origin — when discussing insurance products You must provide accurate information. We also collect information about third-party relationships with industry connections such as banks, lenders, insurers, solicitors, conveyancers, will writers, surveyors, estate agents, management agents, and accountants to improve our services.

How We Use Your Data

Our firm aims to source the most suitable products for you from various product providers. This may require passing on your data to affiliated third parties and using third-party software to compare products. We may also obtain data from third parties (e.g., credit checks, employer information, public records such as the voter's roll). We will only do this if we have your consent to access your data. We are required by law and regulators to verify our customers to protect against fraud. This involves using third-party software to check your identity and address. We store your data in paper files, mobile devices, and computer systems. Only authorised employees and consultants can access your data when necessary to provide our services. We may submit your data to product providers when you agree to progress your enquiry, both in paper and online via a secure portal. With your permission, we may introduce you to other firms to make recommendations for you.

Our Communication With You

We aim to build a long-term relationship with you, ensuring you receive the best service. This may involve contacting you through various communication channels, such as telephone, text, letter, email, social media, or fax. We will contact you when your product reaches maturity, or if an external event affects the advice previously given.

Records Held By Us

Our firm is required by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Information Commissioner to retain records containing your data for at least six years after a mortgage or insurance term ends. In case of a complaint, we may need to provide your details to relevant authorities like the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Your Individual Data Protection Rights

You have the following rights concerning your personal data: • Right to be informed — this privacy notice provides transparency on how we use your data • Right of access — you can request confirmation that your data is being processed and access your data • Right to rectification — you can request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete data • Right to erasure — you can request the deletion of your data under certain conditions • Right to restrict processing — you can restrict the processing of your data under certain circumstances • Right to data portability — you can request your data to be transferred to other organisations • Right to object — you can object to data processing, including for marketing purposes • Rights regarding automated decision-making — you have safeguards against potentially harmful decisions made solely by automated processes Requests to exercise these rights will generally be completed within 30 days.

Cookies, Analytics and Session Recording

We use a small number of third-party tools to understand how visitors use our website. These tools collect technical and behavioural information — they do not collect names, addresses, or other directly-identifying personal data unless you submit it through a form. • Microsoft Clarity — heatmaps and anonymised session recordings showing how users move through pages (mouse movements, clicks, scrolls). Form input fields and personal data are automatically masked before recording. Microsoft is the data processor; their privacy notice is at clarity.microsoft.com. You can opt out by enabling Do Not Track in your browser. • Vercel Analytics and Speed Insights — anonymised page-view counters and Core Web Vitals performance metrics. No cookies, no cross-site tracking, no personal data collected. • Essential cookies — used to make the website function (e.g. remembering form progress on the application page). These do not require consent. You can clear cookies and reset session data at any time through your browser settings. Disabling Microsoft Clarity will not affect your ability to use the website.

Security and Breach Notifications

We have procedures in place to detect, report, and investigate any data breaches. Certain types of data breaches must be reported to the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) within 72 hours, and you will be notified if the breach risks your rights and freedoms. We secure your data by using secure passwords and data backups. We also expect you to take reasonable precautions to protect your privacy, such as using encrypted email or secure methods of postage.

Data Transfer Out of the European Union

Personal data may only be transferred outside the EU in compliance with the conditions of the GDPR. The recipient firm must have adequate safeguards in place before the data is transferred.

Contact Information

If you have any questions or wish to exercise your rights, please contact: • The Data Controller • Charles Frank Finance Limited • 89 Cardiff Road, Taffswell, Cardiff CF15 7PL • Tel: 029 2167 0060 You also have the right to contact the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO): • Website: ico.org.uk/concerns • Helpline: 0303 123 1113 • Address: Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF