Privacy Policy
We know that your privacy is important to you, so we’ve developed a privacy policy that covers how we collect, use, disclose, transfer and store your personal information. This document outlines our approach to Data Privacy in order to fulfil our obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation (2016/679) (EU). Last updated: December 2025.
At Microfinance Ireland DAC (“Microfinance Ireland”, “MFI” “we”, “us” and “our”), we know that your privacy is important to you, so we’ve developed a Privacy Policy that covers how we collect, use, disclose, transfer and store your personal information.
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use and share your personal information and applies to:
- those who explore our website, www.microfinanceireland.ie (the “Site”) (“Visitors”);
- individuals who apply for loans from us (“Applicants”); and
- individuals to whom we provide financing services (the “Services”) (“Clients”) and Indemnifiers.
An “Indemnifier” means the person(s) who, pursuant to this Policy, irrevocably and unconditionally undertakes to indemnify and keep indemnified Microfinance Ireland (“MFI”) against all losses, liabilities, costs, charges, expenses, and demands incurred or suffered by MFI arising from or in connection with the advance of the Loan, the Borrower’s failure to repay any amount due in accordance with the Repayment Schedule, or any breach of the terms of this Policy or the Loan Agreement, subject to the terms and limitations set out herein.
Visitors, Applicants and Clients are referred to throughout as “you” and “your”. Please read this policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal data and how we will treat it.
Who we are
Microfinance Ireland DAC was established pursuant to the Microfinance Loan Fund Act 2012. We are an Irish-incorporated company and registered charity under company number 516555 and with an address at 10 Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2. We provide business-loans to microenterprises that are unable to obtain finance from conventional commercial lenders.
What personal information do we collect?
We collect information from you directly, through automated means when you visit our Site and through third parties.
| Information you provide |
| We process certain information that you provide directly to us. |
| Information category | Description of information collected |
|---|---|
| Contact Information We collect certain information when you fill in forms on our Site such as the ‘Get Started’, ‘Registration’, or ‘Contact Us’ or ‘Request a Call Back’ forms or when you attend one of our events and opt to receive news and updates about Microfinance Ireland. Please note that sensitive personal and financial information is not requested and should never be submitted through these channels. | • Your contact name, email, phone number • Other information you may provide when you interact with us |
| Application Information We collect information when you apply for a business loan with us directly. | • Your contact name, email, phone number • Your current and previous addresses • Your tenant or homeowner status and rent/mortgage payments • Your date of birth, gender, dependents, employment status, income details, PPSN, herd number or other unique identifier (if applicable), bankruptcy details (if applicable) • Your business address • The amount and purpose of your business loan application, other financial commitments and loan details • Your business plan and financial projections • Your work experience and employment background, referees, personal and business bank statements, list of trade creditors/preferential creditors and debtors • Your Central Credit Register Report (CCR) |
| Support Information We collect certain information when you correspond with us by phone, SMS, email, website, social media or otherwise. We ask you to disclose only as much information as is necessary to provide you with our products or services or to submit a question/suggestion /comment in relation to our site or our services or products. | • Any information provided to us by you • Certain financial information such as the target loan amount, the size of your business, etc • Your feedback on our services • Quotes or Video footage of you for the purpose of success stories or marketing campaigns (if you have agreed to participate) |
| Payment Information We collect information in relation to your payments to us pursuant to your loan agreement with us. | • Your payment history • Statement of your bank account confirming account number |
| Events Information We collect information when you opt to receive news and updates in relation to our organisation or our services by signing up either through our site or at an event. | • Your contact name, email address |
| De Minimis Aid Information If you receive a business loan under the European Commission De Minimis Aid Regulation, we are legally required to record the details of such aid and report it to the national de minimis aid register | • Your name • Aid amount • Granting date • Granting authority • Aid instrument • Sector involved on the basis of the statistical classification of economic activities in the Union (‘NACE classification’) • Unique Identifier (PPSN / CRO) if required |
| Loan Information When your loan is approved, we retain certain information about you and your loan. | • The loan amount advanced • The term of the loan Applicable interest rate • The outstanding balance of your loan • Your loan status and performance |
| Information we collect from third parties |
| We receive certain information about you from third parties. |
| Information received from your LEO, ILDN and CRO We receive certain information when you apply for a loan through your Local Enterprise Office (“LEO”) or Local Development Company (“ILDN”), or through mentors appointed on behalf of your LEO or ILDN or if your application is sent to us by the Credit Review Office (“CRO”). | • Your name, email address, phone number • Your current and previous addresses • Your business’ current trading stage (i.e. start-up/existing) • The length of time you have been trading • Amount of loan sought by you • Your primary business type • Your personal and business address • Existing De Minimis Aid, (if applicable) • Your tenant or homeowner status and rent/mortgage payments. • Your date of birth, gender, dependents; employment status, income details, PPSN, herd number or other unique identifier (if applicable), • Bankruptcy details (if applicable) • The amount and purpose of your business loan application, other financial commitments and loan details • Your business plan and financial projections • Your work experience and employment background, referees, personal and business bank statements, list of creditors and debtors |
| Information received from the DAFM or EC We also receive, as and when applicable, certain information about you from Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (“DAFM”) or the European Commission (“EC”). | • Your De Minimis Aid status (i.e. whether you have reached the de minimis aid threshold) |
| Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors Financial institutions and other business advisors may refer you to us at your request or may have declined your application for a loan with them. This information is received by us. | • Credit History (CCR) • Information regarding previous loan applications with other financial institutions |
| Information received from the Central Credit Register At application stage, MFI will contact the Central Credit Register for information when reviewing your loan application. | • Credit History (CCR) |
| Information received from external credit assessors We receive certain information relevant to your application from the external credit assessor whom we may engage to act on our behalf in assessing your application. | • Personal and business financial information • Trade and preferential creditors • Stock position • Lease agreements • Invoices • Management accounts • Information on additional family income |
| Information received from other websites We may collect information from your activity on other websites (e.g. social media sites) with your consent and in accordance with our Cookies Policy. | • Performance Information • Browser and/or Device Information • Cookie Information |
| Information Collected Automatically |
| We automatically receive and record information from your browser or your mobile device when you visit the Site. |
| Browser and/or Device Information Microfinance Ireland automatically receives and records information from your browser or your mobile device when you visit the Site. | • IP address • Browser information • Device type • Operating system information |
| Performance Information We automatically collect information about your activity on our Site and how our Site performs. | • Usage Information: information about your interaction with our site, including the date and time you accessed our Site, and other actions you take (such as clicking on particular parts of the Site). • Diagnostic and Troubleshooting Information: Information about how our Site is performing, including timestamps, crash data, website performance logs and error messages |
| Cookie Information We collect certain information about your activities through cookies. | • For more information about these online tools and how we use them, see our Cookie Policy. |
How do we use your information and what is our legal basis?
We collect the information in order to provide you with our services, to promote our services, to improve our site.
| Where necessary to perform our contract with you |
| We use certain information that is necessary for us to provide you with our services or to enter into a relevant contract (including a loan agreement) with you. |
| Why and how we use your information | Information category used |
|---|---|
| To provide our services We process certain information as is necessary for the performance of a contract which you have entered into with us or to take steps at your request prior to entering into a contract. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information • De Minimis Aid Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register (CCR) • Information received from external credit assessors |
| To liaise with you about loans that we are undertaking with you | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information • De Minimis Aid Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors |
| To provide support We collect certain information when responding to your queries and otherwise generally supporting you through your application process. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information |
| To send service communications We use certain information to send you administrative communications about our Services. You may not opt-out of receiving service communications. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information |
| To promote the safety, security and integrity of our Site and Services We use certain information to investigate suspicious activity, detect, prevent and combat fraudulent behaviour and to maintain the integrity of our Site and Services. | • Contact Information • Support Information • Application Information • Performance Information • Cookie Information |
| Where necessary to comply with our legal obligations |
| Our Services are subject to laws and regulations that require us to collect, use, and store your personal information in certain ways. |
| To comply with legal and regulatory obligations We use certain information to comply with our obligations under the Microenterprise Loan Fund Act 2012 and S.I. No. 393/2015, Microenterprise Loan Fund Scheme 2015 and the Credit Reporting Act 2013, each as amended, replaced or superseded from time to time. We are also required to report certain information to government bodies and regulators. For example Regulation (EU) 2023/2831 (the De Minimis Aid Regulation) requires us to report the details of de minimis aid the DAFM (for NACE Codes 1 and 2) and to the EC eAid Register (for all other Nace Codes). We may also preserve and share information when engaging with our regulators, such as the Data Protection Commission. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information • De Minimis Aid Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register • Information received from external credit assessors |
| Where necessary for our legitimate interests |
| We rely on our legitimate interests or those of third parties where they are not outweighed by your rights and freedoms. |
| Why and how we use your information | Legitimate Interest Relied On | Information category used |
|---|---|---|
| To improve our Site and for internal operations We use certain information to improve our Services, understand how you interact with the Site and Services and enable accurate and reliable reporting. | It is in our legitimate interests that improve our offerings through these operations and through your feedback. | • Performance Information • Events Information • Application Information • Support Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register • Information received from external credit assessors • Information received from other websites |
| Where you provide your consent |
| When we use your information based on your consent, you have the right to withdraw your consent at any time on a go-forward basis (meaning our prior use of your data will it be affected) |
| To provide you with marketing information We use your information to send you marketing communications when you subscribe to receive news and updates about our organisation. | • Contact Information • Performance Information • Events Information |
Who do we share this information with?
We may share your personal data with selected third parties including suppliers and contractors in order to provide you with our services. For example, these suppliers may include our web hosting provider and our IT service providers.
In addition, we may disclose your personal information to third parties with your consent.
| Third party | Information we share |
|---|---|
| Referral Partners* We may pass information about you to our referral partners with your consent | • Contact Information • Application information • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register |
| Central Credit Register We must provide details of your Microfinance loan payment history to the Central Credit Register on any loan balance greater than €500 (Five Hundred Euro). | • Loan Information • Payment Information |
| External Credit Assessors** We may provide personal information to external credit assessors that we appoint to assist us in the assessment of your Microfinance loan application. They may contact you directly. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Payment Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register |
| European Investment Fund (“EIF”) MFI has obtained a credit guarantee through the EIF. Consequently, we are required to report the details of your loan with us to EIF and may be subject to external review by representatives of the EIF, the European Investment Bank, the European Commission or other members of the European Investment Bank Group. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information • Payment Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register • Information received from external credit assessors |
| SBCI, DAFM and EC (eAidRegister) We are legally required to report certain information to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (“SBCI”), the DAFM and the EC. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Support Information • Loan Information • De Minimis Aid Information |
| Authorities and Regulators If we are under a duty to disclose or share your information in order to comply with any legal obligation, or in order to enforce or apply our terms of use and other agreements, or to protect our rights, property or safety of our customers and others. This includes exchanging information with other companies and organisations for the purposes of fraud protection and credit risk reduction. | • Contact Information • Application Information • Payment Information • Loan Information • De Minimis Aid Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register • Information received from external credit assessors |
| Marketing Agencies With your consent and from time to time, we may share your personal data with our Marketing Agencies for the purpose of developing marketing collateral and/or customer stories. | • Contact Information • Performance Information • Events Information • Information received from other websites • Quotes and video footage you have given consent to share |
| Other service providers We also share your data with our other service providers, such as: • Cloud storage providers; • Lead management systems; • Our Market Research & Customer Experience Agencies • Customer Survey Platforms | • Contact Information • Application Information • Payment Information • Support Information • Events Information • Loan Information • De Minimis Aid Information • Information received from your LEO, ILDN or CRO • Information received from the DAFM or EC • Information received from financial institutions and other business advisors • Information received from the Central Credit Register • Information received from external credit assessors |
*Who are our referral partners?
When we refer to our “referral partners” we mean entities, such as the LEOs, ILDNs, the CRO, other enterprise agencies, business advisers or banks, which introduce you to us or to whom we refer you for support during the loan application process.
We refer some loan applicants to our referral partners as they can assist with training and guidance in the microfinance application process. In some cases, they may submit your Microfinance loan application to us on your behalf – they should do this with your consent.
While we may refer you to a referral partner or they may recommend you apply for microfinance from us, you should be aware that they operate independent of us when providing you with assistance and training. We are not responsible for the quality of their service.
Our referral partners have their own Policies that govern their collection, use, and disclosure of personal information. We suggest therefore that you read their privacy policies to learn about their practices, as we are not responsible for them.
A referral partner may undertake an initial local evaluation of a Microfinance loan application; in this case (unlike above) they do so on our behalf, i.e. as our service provider. This initial assessment is not definitive; we always draw our own conclusions based upon a detailed assessment.
**Who are external credit assessors?
In some cases, we engage third parties to assist us in connection with the assessment of your Microfinance loan application. These third parties are referred to as “external credit assessors”. They provide services to us and have agreed to use your information only for the purposes we request
How long do we keep hold of your information?
The time periods for which we retain your information depends on the type of information and the specific purpose for which we use it as stated in this Policy. We will keep your information for no longer than is required or permitted.
We decide how long we need information on a case-by-case basis and depending on the retention laws applicable.
The following factors typically affect the retention period:
- Necessity for the provision of our Services: We keep your information as long as is necessary to provide the Services to you. This includes things like fulfilling your loan agreement, maintaining and improving the performance of our Site, keeping our Services secure, and maintaining appropriate business and financial records. Most of our retention periods are determined on the basis of this general rule;
- Consent-based processing of personal data: If we process personal data on the basis of consent, we store the data for as long as necessary in order to process it according to your consent or until you withdraw your consent.
- Statutory, contractual or other similar obligations: Microfinance will retain and use your information to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations, for example, if we are required to retain your information to comply with applicable financial regulations.
Here’s what we consider when we decide how long to keep your information:
| Purpose of Processing | Retention Period |
|---|---|
| Information used to process your application | If you are unsuccessful in your loan application, we keep your information for a period of one year. |
| Information used to fulfil our obligations under agreements with you | We retain information associated with the loan services that we provide you for the duration of your loan agreement and for a period of 6 years thereafter. |
| Information used to fulfil our obligations under our agreements with the EIF | Our credit guarantee with the EIF requires us to keep certain customer records, such as Application Information and Contact Information for up to 16 years. |
Do we transfer your information outside the European Union or European Economic Area?
We currently host your personal information within the European Economic Area. However, it is possible that at some point your personal information may, for example, be maintained, processed and stored by us and our service providers in countries outside of the European Economic Area (“EEA”). These countries may have different data protection rules and standards to those in Ireland. We will handle your personal information in the manner described in this privacy statement, even in countries whose laws provide less protection for your information. You agree to the transfer and hosting of your personal information outside of the EEA by using or accessing the website and/or by submitting information to us.
What are your rights with respect to your personal data?
Subject to applicable law, you have certain rights with respect to your personal information, such as the following:
→ The right to request a copy of the personal data that we hold about you, together with other information about our processing of that personal data.
→ The right to require us to rectify any inaccurate personal data about you without undue delay or, if we have incomplete information, you may request that we update such information.
→ The right to have us erase any personal data we hold about you in circumstances such as where it is no longer necessary for us to hold the personal data or, in some circumstances, if you have withdrawn your consent to the processing.
→ The right to object to us processing personal data about you such as processing for profiling or direct marketing.
→ The right to ask us to provide your personal data to you in a portable format or, where technically feasible, for us to port that personal data to another provider provided it does not result in a disclosure of personal data relating to other people.
→ The right to request a restriction of the processing of your personal data.
→ Where our processing of your personal data is based on your consent to that processing, you have the right to withdraw that consent at any time but any processing that we have carried out before you withdrew remains lawful.
Please note that these rights are not absolute and are subject to certain restrictions and exemptions. To exercise any of your data protection rights, please contact us via the details listed below under ‘How you can contact us’.
→You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority with respect to our processing of your personal data. The local Supervisory Authority in Ireland is the Data Protection Commission 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28, +353 017650100 / + 353 1800437737, email: info@dataprotection.ie.
Changes to this Policy
Our business changes constantly and our privacy statement will also change, so please review it frequently. Updated versions of the privacy statement will always be posted on our website. The date the privacy statement was last updated is set out at the top of this Privacy Statement.
If we make a material change in how we treat your personal information, we will take reasonable steps to notify you in advance of the planned change.
How you can contact us
Our Data Protection contact is Head of Finance & Risk who can be reached as follows:
Phone: 01 2601007
Post to: Microfinance Ireland, 13 Richview Office Park, Clonskeagh, Dublin 14. Eircode: D14 Y867
Email: info@microfinanceireland.ie