Cookie Policy
1. What this policy covers
This Cookie Policy sets out:
- what a cookie is (section 2)
- an overview of the cookies we use and how we use them (section 3)
- what you can do if you do not agree to the cookie use (section 4)
- links to further information about cookies in general (section 5)
- a detailed table setting out all of the cookies that we use (section 6)
2. What is a cookie?
Cookies are small text files containing small amounts of information which are downloaded and may be stored on the computer (or other internet enabled devices, such as a smartphone or tablet) that you use when you visit a Website. Cookies are used for a number of purposes, such as remembering your preferences, and helping to improve your online experience.
This Cookie Policy provides you with information about the cookies we use and the purposes for using them. Our Privacy Statement sets out full details of the other information we may collect about you and how we may use your personal information.
3. What cookies do we use and why?
We use several different types of cookies. Some of these are session cookies which are temporary and allow us to link your actions during a browser session. Others are persistent cookies which remain on your device for the period of time specified in the cookie. We also use third party cookies - these are cookies that are set by a third party website rather than by us. In addition, we use essential cookies which enable certain website features, functionality cookies which allow us to remember choices you make (e.g. your cookie preference) and targeting cookies which are used to deliver adverts more relevant to you and your interests.
By continuing to use our website, you are agreeing to our placing cookies on your computer in the manner set out in this Cookie Policy so please read it carefully. If you do not wish to accept cookies in connection with your use of this website, you should stop using our site or turn off your cookies (see below for how to do this) but this may affect the functionality of the site.
The following is a more detailed explanation of the types of cookies we use, categorised by the purpose of the cookies.
3.1 Session cookies
Session cookies only last for the duration of your visit to a website and are removed when you close your browser. These help us perform various tasks such as allowing our website to track a user across multiple pages on our site. This helps to support website security and basic functionality. Secure Trust Bank use session cookies throughout our website to:
- identify you as being logged on our website;
- remember information you have entered on different pages during a web browsing session;
- remember the products and services you applied for or requested;
- enable a time out functionality should you take too long to complete an application; and
- make sure you connect to the right service on our website when we make any changes to the website.
These cookies are necessary for the proper operation of our website, so if you block these cookies we can't guarantee your use or the security of our website during your visit.
3.2 Persistent cookies
Persistent cookies remain after you leave and have closed your browser, and can then be accessed on your next visit in order to retrieve any preferences you set and to recall the actions you took on the site on any previous visits. This can be to monitor browsing behaviour to help improve websites, or to target marketing. Secure Trust Bank use persistent cookies to remember your cookie preferences and for Google Analytics cookies (for further details, see our section on Google Analytics below).
3.3 First and third party cookies
First or Third party refers to the website which has placed a cookie on your device. First party cookies are those set by or on behalf of the website visited (in our case these are cookies set by any website controlled by Secure Trust Bank). All other cookies are Third party cookies. We use both First party and Third party cookies. For a full list of our cookies see section 5 on cookie use further down this page.
3.4 Essential cookies
Essential cookies are necessary in order to enable website features, and to ensure the security of your experience. Without these cookies, services you have asked for, such as applying for products, may not function correctly. These cookies will not be used for the purposes of marketing.
3.5 Performance cookies
Performance cookies collect information about how you use our website or application (e.g. which pages you visit, and if you experience any errors). These cookies do not collect any information that could identify you and are only used to help us improve how our website works, understand what interests our users, and measure how effective our advertising is. We use performance cookies :
- to analyse how you use the website; and
- for error management, to help improve the website.
Some of these cookies are managed by third parties, and you may refer to the third parties' own website privacy notifications for further information. In particular, Secure Trust Bank uses Google Analytics cookies to obtain an overall view of visitor habits and visitor volumes. We use this data to help improve the overall experience on our website.
3.6 Functionality cookies
Functionality cookies allow the Secure Trust Bank website to remember certain data you enter and choices you make (e.g. if you have set a location preference). The information these cookies collect does not contain your name or account details. Functionality cookies do not track your browsing activity across other websites. We use functionality cookies to:
- remember settings you've applied, such as preferences regarding layout and colours;
- remember your internet banking customer number; and
- show you when you're logged in to the website.
3.7 Targeting cookies
Targeting cookies store information about your browsing on a particular website. They remember that you have visited a website and this information could be used to determine how you got there, the device you used, how frequently you visit, how long you visited for, what town or city you visited from and other information relevant to targeting. They are usually placed by advertising networks or web analytics companies. We use targeting cookies and certain google AdWords to advertise to people within the UK based on gender, demographics and geographies.
Secure Trust Bank does not currently use this information to target individual adverts to individual customers.
3.8 Google Analytics
Secure Trust Bank uses Google Analytics, a third-party web analysis service provided by Google Inc, which uses performance cookies and targeting cookies to analyse how you use the website. The information generated by the cookie about your use of the website (including your IP address) will be transmitted to and stored by Google on servers in the United States.
On behalf of Secure Trust Bank, Google will use the information collected for the purpose of evaluating your use of our website, compiling reports on website activity and providing other services relating to website activity and internet usage to Secure Trust Bank. Google will not associate your IP address with any other data held by Google. You may refuse the use of cookies by selecting the appropriate settings on your browser as described below. Furthermore you can prevent Google's collection and use of data (cookies and IP address) by downloading and installing the browser plug-in. For more information about Google Analytics cookies, please see Google's help pages and privacy policy:
By using our website, you agree that we may store and access these cookies on your device. Accepting these cookies is a condition of using the website or application, so if you prevent them we cannot guarantee how our site will perform for you.
4. Other cookies and technologies
We may use external content from third party websites (e.g. YouTube) within our websites. Additionally, we may partner with third party marketing companies who provide services for us. These third parties may use cookies, but their use of cookies will not be governed by this Cookie Policy.
Pixel tracking
We also use pixels and tags that allow us and our advertisers or service providers to:
- collect statistics on our Websites and emails
- collect information about how you interact with our emails
5. What if I don't want to accept cookies?
Once you have given us your agreement to the use of cookies, we shall store a cookie on your computer or device to remember this for next time. If you wish to withdraw your agreement at any time, you will need to delete our cookies using your internet browser settings. You should do this through the browser settings for each browser you use. Please be aware that some of our services, will not function if your browser does not accept cookies. However, you can allow cookies from specific websites by making them "trusted websites" in your internet browser.
The following links may assist you in managing your cookies settings, or you can use the 'Help' option in your internet browser for more details.
- Cookie settings in Internet Explorer
- Cookie settings in Firefox
- Cookie settings in Chrome
- Cookie settings in Safari
To block Google Analytics cookies specifically, you can install the "Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on" provided by Google.
6. Other information
A guide to online privacy has been produced by the internet advertising industry which can be found:
A UK cookie guide can be found on the International Chamber of Commerce website.
7. Secure Trust Bank cookie use
Below is a full list of the cookies used by Secure Trust Bank.
