Privacy Policy

1. Introduction/Scope

This Privacy Policy document is prepared in accordance with the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), and by extension, the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). It sets out how Zenith Bank PLC (“Zenith Bank”) applies and complies with the data privacy principles in processing the personal data of customers, staff, vendors, visitors, and even third parties that interact with Zenith Bank. Please note that we endeavor to continuously update these policies to ensure they align with best practices and meet transparency objectives.

For personal data of individuals, this document also highlights their rights and covers the data subject(s) whose personal data is collected and processed, in compliance with the NDPA.

This privacy policy describes why and how we collect and use personal information about our customers, clients, vendors, and visitors (data subjects). It also highlights with whom we might share Personal Information and how long we keep such information. It also makes data subjects aware of their rights under the regulation.

2. Roles/Responsibilities

Zenith Bank Data Protection Officer (DPO) is responsible for ensuring that this document is correct and up-to-date. The DPO also ensures that data subjects are duly notified prior to the collection and processing of their personal data by Zenith Bank, including data collected via the Zenith Bank’s website. All Zenith Bank employees/staff who interact with personal data must also ensure to follow the provisions in this policy document.

3. Policy Statement

Zenith Bank is committed to protecting the privacy and security of our personal data. We are responsible for determining how we hold and use personal information about our data subjects. According to the Nigeria Data Protection Act (NDPA), Zenith Bank PLC is required to notify data subjects of the information contained in this document.

3.1 About Zenith Bank PLC

Zenith Bank Plc is one of the largest financial service providers in Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa, duly licensed as a commercial bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the national banking regulator.

Zenith Bank is a reputable technology-driven financial institution that is recognized for innovation, superior performance, and creation of premium value for all stakeholders.

With branches and business offices scattered across prime commercial centres in Nigeria, Africa and United Kingdom, Zenith Bank is considered a leader in the deployment of various channels of banking technology, driven by a culture of excellence and strict adherence to national and global best practices, combining vision, skillful banking expertise, and cutting-edge technology to create products and services that anticipate and meet customers’ expectations while enabling businesses to thrive and grow wealth for customers.

Due to the nature of Zenith Bank’s business and the fact that Zenith Bank provides financial services across the globe, Zenith Bank is mandated to collect and process personal data of Nigerian individuals, as well as residents and citizens of other countries across the globe.

3.2 What Personal Data Do We Need?

The personal data we would collect and process, depending on the particular processing requirement, are under the following categories:

In respect of your data which may be collected by Zenith Bank, certain terms may specifically apply to Face Data and your biometrics. You should therefore note the following:|

• Collection: Face Data and biometrics may be collected through various secure channels, such as mobile applications, ATM machines or other digital interfaces, only when explicitly authorised by the user.
  
  
• Use: Strictly used for predefined purposes such as identity verification, fraud prevention or for providing personalized banking services.
  
  
• Disclosure: Your Face Data and biometrics where required to be disclosed to third -party to enable us provide services to you, will only be disclosed only to trusted entities like regulatory bodies, payment processing partners or third-party service providers with confidentiality agreements.
  
  
• Retention: Unless the terms and conditions specific to any one or more of our application otherwise provide in their terms and conditions that we shall not store your Face Data and biometric information, your Face Data will be stored securely and retained only for the duration necessary to meet regulatory, operational or legal requirements in respect of the service provided. When data is no longer required or mandated by law to be retained, it will be deleted, destroyed or securely archived.
  
  
• User Consent: Collected only after users are informed and provide explicit consent.

Where the personal data we need to collect may fall under special category of sensitive personal data, the Bank’s lawful basis of processing will be explicit consent of the individual or where applicable, compliance with a legal obligation, or for legal proceedings/advice.

4. Why We Need the Data

Zenith Bank ensures that the personal data collected and processed is necessary for the purpose of collection, and shall not collect or process more data than is reasonably required for a particular processing activity.

5. Legal Grounds for Processing

Zenith Bank identifies, establishes, defines, and documents the specific purpose of processing and the legal basis for processing personal data before any processing operation takes place under:

• Consent obtained from the data subject
• Performance of a contract where the data subject is a party
• Legal obligation that the Bank is required to meet
• Protection of vital interests of the data subject, including the protection of rights and freedom of the data subject
• Official authority of the Bank or to carry out the processing that is in the public interest
• National law such as biometric data.

In addition, every processing purpose has at least one lawful basis for processing to safeguard the rights of the data subjects, as listed below;

Purpose of Processing & Lawful Basis:

6. Processing of Personal Data Based on Consent

Where applicable, Zenith Bank will require explicit consent of customers, visitors and other relevant stakeholders to process collected personal data.

 Visitors to the Bank’s website are expected to read, understand and agree to the privacy policy and website’s terms of use.

If the data subject does not agree, services may not be accessible. For sensitive data, explicit notification and explanation will be given.

For children:

• NDPA age: under 18
• GDPR age: under 16
  Consent must be from person with parental responsibility. Zenith Bank will verify age and authenticity.

It should be noted that while processing, there may be need to share personal data with service providers for services in line with customer’s service subscription from time to time and accredited third parties or agencies in accordance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023.

6.1 Withdrawal of Consent

Irrespective of initial consent given, an individual can withdraw their consent at any time via written request or Withdrawal of Consent form sent to:
dataprotectionoffice@zenithbank.com
[Click here to download the form]

In the case of children, the holder of parental responsibility must make the request.

7. Use of Cookies

Zenith Bank’s website uses cookies (e.g., Google Analytics) to:

• Recognize users
• Track website navigation
• Improve usability
• Analyze usage
• Manage the website

Users may disable cookies via browser settings, but it may affect certain functionality and features of the site.

8. Disclosure to Third-Parties

Zenith Bank will not disclose personal data to third parties without consent unless legally required by government authorities, law courts or law enforcement requirements. Where processing involves fraud prevention, legal obligations or protection of rights, lawful grounds will be established.

Zenith Bank has put in place, to the best of its ability and in line with standard global practices, appropriate physical, technical, and organizational measures (including encryption and anonymization) to ensure the optimum protection of personal data, which also extends to data transferred or shared with third parties.

8.1 Cross-Border Transfers

Zenith Bank may also engage third parties abroad ( such as banks, contractors, government authorized agencies etc) that will receive personal data for certain purposes(s) as part of the Bank’s processing activities and process them on the bank’s behalf. Where this is the case, Zenith Bank will:

• Sign a Data Processing Agreement
• Obtain consent if purpose was not stated initially
• Ensure adequate protection standards are met

Data may be transferred if:

• The country of recipient has adequate data protection controls established by legal or self-regulatory regime. However, in a case not covered by an adequacy decision from the NDPC;
• It has a contract in place that uses existing data protection clauses with approval of NDPC to ensure adequate protection.
• Binding corporate rules apply
• Provisions inserted into administrative arrangements between public authorities or bodies authorized by the supervisory authority NDPC.

9. Retention of Records

Zenith Bank will retain personal data as long as necessary for service delivery and regulatory compliance.

• Retention considerations include purpose, type, lawful basis, data subject category
• Personal data is retained for up to ten (10) years after exit of relationship by the data subject or as may be required by regulation
• Transaction data: retained for a minimum of five (5) years

Data is securely archived, deleted or destroyed when no longer needed.
 

10. Data Subject Rights

Data subjects have the right to:

• Request access to personal data
• Request correction or deletion
• Restrict processing
• Transfer data
• Object to direct marketing
• Object to automated profiling
• File a complaint or seek judicial review

Data Subjects can exercise their rights in writing or filing the data subject access request (DSAR) form and submit via:

dataprotectionoffice@zenithbank.com
[Click here to download DSAR form]

11. Complaints

To file a complaint about how your data is handled, contact:

Supervisory Authority
dpo@ndpc.gov.ng

Data Protection Officer (DPO)
dataprotectionoffice@zenithbank.com