Client Privacy Is Our Priority
All persons employed by Willow Creek Financial Services, Inc. (WCFS) recognize that our clients and potential clients expect us to protect their personal financial information and to keep it private and secure. While it is critical for our clients to give us personal financial information in order for us to provide quality service, client trust in our ability to safeguard that information is critical to our success. We limit the use and collection of personal financial information to that which is necessary to administer our clients’ accounts, provide superior service and to keep our clients apprised of any new services we may provide.
Please click here to view a copy of our Privacy Policy.
The following outlines the kinds of information we gather from clients and potential clients, how we use that information and the steps we take to safeguard client information.
How We Gather Information
WCFS gathers client information from a variety of sources including:
• Information provided by clients and potential clients on account applications or other forms (including but not limited to name, address, telephone numbers, employment information, income and credit references and the like);
• Information about investments and securities transactions related to client accounts (including, but not limited to, assets owned, asset preferences, investment goals, account balances, transaction history, account usage, and the like);
• Information from visits to our company website;
• In some cases, information from consumer-reporting agencies; and
• Information from public records (including real estate and other such public records).
How We Use Information
WCFS uses client information to administer its clients’ accounts, to understand each client’s individual investment needs and to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Irrespective of source, all nonpublic personal information regarding any individual client or potential client is treated as confidential information and is not disclosed except as follows:
• To WCFS employees in connection with WCFS’ business;
• To an affiliate, but the affiliate may only disclose the information to the same extent as WCFS;
• To nonaffiliated third parties with whom WCFS has a contractual agreement or other arrangement by which the nonaffiliated third parties provide services to WCFS that are “necessary to effect, administer, or enforce” the services that are authorized by the client, for example, custodial, brokerage, legal and similar services.
We do not disclose personal financial information about clients or potential clients to third parties outside of WCFS unless:
1. a client or potential client requests or authorizes the disclosure;
2. to help complete a transaction initiated or authorized by the client or potential client;
3. to protect your accounts from fraud and unauthorized transactions; or
4. we are required to do so by law, regulation, legal process or court order.
Maintaining Client Privacy In Business Relationships With Third Parties
In rare instances, we may share information with unaffiliated third parties when they have been hired to provide support for one or more of our services such as executing transactions, processing account reports or the provision of information technology enhancements to our systems. We may also share information as necessary to WCFS’ attorneys, accountants and auditors.
Before any nonpublic personal information is provided to such third parties, the third party must agree to be bound by the WCFS Privacy Policy and agree not to use the information for any purpose other than as authorized by WCFS under the Policy. Third party service providers must agree not to use nonpublic personal information for their own purposes and will be contractually obligated to maintain strict confidentiality.
Whenever information is shared in such instances, we share the minimum of information necessary for that third party to provide the services we have requested of them. As a condition of being hired by WCFS, these third parties are required to safeguard all confidential client information and to comply with all applicable privacy laws.
We do not sell or otherwise provide any nonpublic client information, including mailing or marketing lists, or provide account or personal information to other business entities for their independent use.
If WCFS deems it necessary to disclose any nonpublic personal information in a way that is inconsistent with this policy, we will provide advance notice of the proposed disclosure and allow every client the opportunity to opt-out of such disclosure.
Maintaining Accurate Information
WCFS strives to maintain complete and accurate information about its clients and their accounts. In order to ensure that we have the most current information available, we ask all of our clients to inform us immediately of any change in their personal financial information. If a client has a concern about his or her personal or account information or wants to correct, update, or confirm their account information please contact us directly at the numbers provided below.
Maintaining The Security Of Client Information
In keeping with our internal security standards, all of our operations and data processing systems are maintained in a secure environment that protects client account information from being accessed by unauthorized parties. Employees are authorized to access client information only on a “need-to-know” basis.
Contact Us
Our Privacy Policy applies to all individuals who are current or former WCFS clients and to any prospective clients that have given us confidential information. The accuracy of client personal information is important to us. If you have any questions about the WCFS Privacy Policy please contact Heather Cleland at 707-829-1146 telephone, 707-829-0111 fax, or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
All WCFS clients will receive a copy of the WCFS Privacy Policy at least annually. WCFS reserves the right to modify or amend its Privacy Policy at any time and clients will receive a copy of any such modifications and/or amendments when adopted.