Privacy policy
Effective starting: August 17, 2026 Last Updated: July 17, 2026
This Privacy Policy explains how Banks Technologies, Inc. ("Banks Technologies," "we," "us," or "our") collects, uses, shares, and protects personal information through HomeVault ("HomeVault" or the "Platform"), a marketplace connecting consumers and partners with verified real estate appraisers for non-lending appraisal services. HomeVault is operated by Banks Technologies, Inc., a company incorporated in the United States, with offices at 125 S Wacker Dr, Suite 300, Chicago, IL 60606. This Privacy Policy applies to all individuals who use HomeVault, including consumers seeking appraisal services, appraisers offering services, trainees, mentors, and partners (collectively, "Users" or "you"). HomeVault is currently available only to users located in the United States. If you are accessing the Platform from outside the United States, please discontinue use. By using HomeVault, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use the Platform.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information in the following ways:
1.1 Information You Provide Directly
Account information: name, email address, password, phone number, and user role (consumer, appraiser, trainee, mentor, or partner).
- Profile information: professional bio, photograph, résumé content, LinkedIn profile data (if you choose to connect it), business or company details, service areas, pricing, and certifications.
- Identity verification information: government-issued identification documents, date of birth, and Social Security Number (full or partial). This information is collected and processed by our verification partners on our behalf.
- Professional credentials: appraiser license numbers, certification tier, Errors & Omissions (E&O) insurance certificates, and other professional documentation.
- Financial information: bank account and payout details (collected and processed by Stripe), and transaction history.
- Communications: messages exchanged with other Users or with HomeVault support, including content shared through our messaging system.
- User-generated content: appraisal reports, reviews, ratings, photos you upload, and any other content you submit through the Platform.
1.2 Information Collected Automatically
- Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, operating system, device identifiers, pages visited, time spent on the Platform, referring URL, and click patterns.
- Geolocation data: approximate location based on IP address. We do not collect precise GPS location unless you explicitly grant permission for a feature that requires it.
- Cookies and similar technologies: see Section 6 for details.
1.3 Information from Third Parties
- Identity verification providers: Checkr provides background check results and verified identity data.
- Payment processors: Stripe provides payment, payout, and tax information necessary to process transactions.
- Credential verification sources: we receive license and credential verification data from ASC.gov (Appraisal Subcommittee), ARELLO, NASBA, FINRA, state bar associations, and state regulatory bodies.
- LinkedIn: if you choose to import your profile, we receive professional information you have made available through LinkedIn's API.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use personal information for the following purposes:
- To create and manage your account, including verifying your identity and credentials.
- To provide, maintain, and improve the Platform and its features.
- To connect consumers and partners with appropriate appraisers.
- To process payments and payouts via Stripe.
- To facilitate communications between Users.
- To verify professional licenses, certifications, and background information.
- To generate AI-enhanced professional headshots and draft professional bios at your request.
- To send transactional notifications, service updates, and account-related communications.
- To send marketing and promotional communications where you have not opted out.
- To respond to your inquiries and provide customer support.
- To detect, prevent, and address fraud, security, and technical issues.
- To comply with legal obligations, enforce our Terms of Service, and protect the rights, property, and safety of HomeVault, our Users, and the public.
- To conduct analytics and research to understand how the Platform is used and improve our services.
3. How We Share Information
We share personal information with third parties only as described below. We do not sell personal information for monetary consideration.
3.1 With Other Users
Information that you make available on your profile (such as your name, photo, bio, credentials, service areas, ratings, and reviews) is visible to other Users on the Platform. Communications you send through the messaging system are shared with the intended recipient.
3.2 With Service Providers
We share information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf. These include: Identity and background verification: Checkr.
- Credential verification: ASC.gov, ARELLO, NASBA, FINRA, state bar associations, state regulatory bodies.
- Payment processing: Stripe (including Stripe Connect for payouts).
- AI processing: we use both internal AI systems and third-party AI providers (which may include OpenAI, Anthropic, Stability AI, or similar providers) to generate professional headshots from photos you upload and to draft professional bios from résumé or LinkedIn content. These providers process your data only for the specific purpose of providing the requested output and are contractually prohibited from using your information for their own purposes or training their models on it.
- Mapping and location services: Google Maps, Mapbox.
- Email and communications: transactional email providers.
- Analytics: Google Analytics and similar services.
- Customer support: support tools used to respond to your inquiries.
- Cloud hosting: cloud infrastructure providers that host the Platform and store data.
3.3 For Legal and Safety Reasons
We may disclose information when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to comply with a legal obligation, protect the rights or property of Banks Technologies or others, prevent fraud or harm, enforce our Terms of Service, or respond to lawful requests from public authorities.
3.4 In Business Transactions
If Banks Technologies is involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have.
3.5 With Your Consent
We may share information with third parties when you have given us explicit consent to do so.
4. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:
Banks Technologies, Inc. Attention: Privacy Officer 125 S Wacker Dr, Suite 300 Chicago, IL 60606 Email: privacy@homevault.com
Note for legal counsel: This draft is intended as a starting point and must be reviewed and finalized by a qualified privacy attorney before publication. Specific items requiring counsel attention include the effective date, retention periods, CCPA applicability thresholds, BIPA compliance procedures for AI-generated headshots, and any additional state-specific disclosures required for jurisdictions where HomeVault operates.