Our Commitment to Your Privacy
Protecting clients’ privacy is of paramount importance to Stewart & Patten Company, LLC (the “Firm”). It is the Firm’s policy that no private client financial information obtained by the Firm is sold or made available to third parties except:
- Third parties used by the Firm to assist in the management or maintenance of client accounts (such as a custodian, broker or bank).
- Client information may be released to client’s accountancy, legal and other third party representatives at client’s direction;
- Client information may be released in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
The Firm will not share non-public personal information about its clients with nonaffiliated third parties without prior client consent, except for specific purposes described below. This notice explains the Firm’s collection, use and safeguarding of client information.
How Stewart & Patten Gathers Information
In connection with providing clients with investment management services, the Firm may obtain information about its clients from the following sources:
- Client agreements and other information that clients provide to the Firm, whether in writing, in person, by telephone, electronically or by any other means. This information may include a client’s name, address, phone number, email address, social security number, employment information, income, investment experience, and credit references;
- Personal tax returns provided by the client;
- Transactions on a client’s behalf. This information may include the client’s account balances, positions, investment interests and history;
- Consumer reporting agencies. This information may include account information and credit history; and
- Public sources.
Sharing Information with Nonaffiliated Third Parties
The Firm only discloses non-public client information to nonaffiliated third parties when it is believed necessary for the Firm’s provision of services to you or as required or permitted by law, such as:
- If you request or authorize the disclosure of the information;
- To provide client account services or account maintenance;
- To respond to a subpoena or court order, judicial process, law enforcement or regulatory authorities;
- To perform services for the Firm or on its behalf to develop or maintain proprietary trading or other software;
- In connection with a proposed or actual sale, merger, or transfer of all or a portion of the Firm’s business or an operating unit;
- To help prevent fraud;
- With rating agencies, persons assessing compliance with industry standards, or to the attorneys, accountants and auditors of the Firm;
- To comply with federal, state or local laws, rules and other applicable legal requirements; and
- Pursuant to any other exceptions enumerated in the California Information Privacy Act.
Stewart & Patten does not make any disclosure of client non-public personal information to other companies who may want to sell their products or services to you. For example, the Firm does not sell client lists, and the Firm will not sell client names to catalogue companies.
Use of Third Party Electronic Platforms
The Firm is aided in its ongoing client account monitoring and management services by the use of third party portfolio and trade data management software and services provided by the custodian of the client’s account and others, as applicable. Such third party services provide linked access to client custodial accounts and trade activity and provide “cloud” storage of such data on their secure, internal computer servers on behalf of the Firm. We only share non-public client information with non-affiliated third parties when we believe it necessary for our provision of services to you or to maintain your account.
Opt In – Opt Out Provision
If, at any time in the future, it is necessary to disclose any client personal information in a way that is inconsistent with this policy, Stewart & Patten will give its clients advance notice of the proposed disclosure so that they will have the opportunity to either opt-in or opt-out of such disclosure, as required by applicable law.
Clients are advised that the Firm believes that sharing client private information under the circumstances noted above is either mandated by law or necessary for the Firm to conduct its business and to best service client accounts. Clients desiring to opt out of any third party disclosures should contact the Firm immediately. Opting out may necessitate that we terminate our management agreement with you and arrange for you to transfer your account.
Former Clients
This Privacy Policy continues to apply to all former clients.
To Whom This Policy Applies
This Privacy Policy applies to individuals who obtain or have obtained services from Stewart & Patten used primarily for personal, family or household purposes.
Website
Our website is not intended for use by people residing in the European Union.
Our Security Practices and Information Accuracy
Stewart & Patten takes steps to safeguard client information. Access to the personal and account information of clients is restricted to its employees and agents for business purposes only. The Firm maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to guard your personal information. Additionally, the Firm has internal controls to keep client information as accurate and complete as possible. If you believe that any information about you is not accurate, please contact the Firm.
Other Information
Stewart & Patten reserves the right to change this Statement of Privacy Policy. The examples contained within this Privacy Policy are illustrations and they are not intended to be exclusive. If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact Lori E. Sherman, Chief Compliance Officer at 415-421-4932.