Privacy Policy for Local Finance
Last Updated: 22 June 2026
1. Introduction
Local Finance (“we”, “us”, “our”) is a registered microcredit provider committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information when you interact with us, whether through our website, in person at our branches, or during the loan application process.
We process your personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act 4 of 2013 (“POPIA”). By providing your personal information to us, you agree to the terms set out in this Privacy Policy.
2. Who We Are
Local Finance is a microcredit provider with branches in Paarl and Wellington, serving the Winelands area. We are a registered credit provider with the National Credit Regulator (NCR).
Paarl Branch: Shop 4, Castle St, Lemoenkloof, Paarl
Wellington Branch: 1b Malherbe Str, Wellington
3. What Personal Information We Collect
We may collect and process the following categories of your personal information:
Identity and Contact Information: Your full name, ID number, date of birth, gender, residential address, email address, and telephone/cell phone numbers.
Employment and Financial Information: Details about your employment (e.g., employer name, payslips), financial history, bank statements, and bank account details.
Credit Information: Information necessary for credit qualification and risk assessment, including credit bureau reports and payment history.
Information from Your Interactions: Correspondence, communication preferences, and any other information you provide to us during the application process or when you contact us.
Website Usage Information: When you visit our website, we may automatically collect non-personally identifiable information such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and pages visited. This helps us improve our website and user experience.
We will only collect personal information that is adequate, relevant, and not excessive for the purposes for which it is processed.
4. How We Collect Your Personal Information
We collect your personal information directly from you in most cases, such as when you:
Visit our branch to apply for a loan.
Complete a loan application form (in person or online).
Provide us with necessary documentation (ID, payslips, bank statements).
Contact us via phone, email, or through our website’s chat feature.
We may also collect information from other sources, including:
Credit Bureaus: To verify your identity and assess creditworthiness.
Employers: To confirm your employment details.
Public Registers: When legally permitted.
5. Purpose for Collecting and Using Your Information
We process your personal information for the following legitimate business purposes and to comply with legal obligations:
To Assess Your Loan Application: To determine your affordability and eligibility for a loan, including performing credit and fraud checks.
To Provide Our Services: To process, administer, and manage your loan account, including payment collections and client communications.
To Comply with Legal and Regulatory Requirements: To meet our obligations under the National Credit Act (NCA), Financial Intelligence Centre Act (FICA), and other applicable laws.
For Debt Recovery: To trace and collect outstanding debts in the event of default, in accordance with the law.
To Improve Our Services: For statistical analysis, research, and to develop new products and services.
For Marketing and Communication: To send you information about our products or services that we believe may be of interest to you, but only if you have provided consent or where it is lawful to do so. You can opt out of direct marketing at any time.
6. Sharing Your Personal Information
We will not sell or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with the following categories of third parties, only when necessary and in compliance with POPIA:
Service Providers and Partners: Such as our credit insurance provider (Aspis for Loan Protection Insurance), IT service providers, and legal or financial advisors who help us operate our business.
Credit Bureaus and Fraud Prevention Agencies: To report on your loan performance (both positive and negative) and to prevent and detect fraud.
Debt Collection Agencies: For the purpose of recovering amounts owed to us.
Regulatory and Law Enforcement Authorities: When required by law or to comply with a court order.
All third parties we share your information with are required to have adequate security measures in place and to process your information only on our behalf and in accordance with our instructions.
7. Security of Your Personal Information
Local Finance is committed to protecting your personal information. We have implemented appropriate technical and organizational security measures to safeguard it against loss, theft, unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include physical access controls to our premises and secure storage of both physical and digital records.
8. Data Retention
We will retain your personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, or as required by law. For example, we are legally required to keep client records for a period of time as prescribed by financial services legislation. When your information is no longer needed, we will securely destroy or delete it.
9. Your Rights Regarding Your Personal Information
Under POPIA, you have the following rights regarding your personal information:
Right of Access: You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you.
Right to Rectification: You have the right to request that we correct, update, or delete your personal information if it is inaccurate, irrelevant, excessive, or obsolete.
Right to Object: You have the right to object, on reasonable grounds, to the processing of your personal information, including for direct marketing purposes.
Right to Complain: You have the right to lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (South Africa) if you believe we have not complied with POPIA.
If you wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact our Information Officer using the details provided below.
10. Cookies
Our website may use “cookies” to enhance your user experience. A cookie is a small text file placed on your device that helps us analyze website traffic and tailor the website to your needs. You can choose to accept or decline cookies through your browser settings. Declining cookies may prevent you from taking full advantage of the website.
11. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The latest version will always be posted on our website with the effective date. We encourage you to review it periodically.
12. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact our designated Information Officer:
Local Finance
Email: sales@localfinance.co.za
Phone: 081 3870 985 or 081 717 1435
Address: Shop 4, Castle St, Lemoenkloof, Paarl
You also have the right to contact the Information Regulator (South Africa) directly:
Website: https://www.informationregulator.org.za/
Effective Date: 22 June 2026