Houston Business Development, Inc. (HBDI) Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Houston Business Development, Inc. (“HBDI,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of all individuals who interact with our website, apply for financing, or otherwise engage with our services. This Privacy Policy explains the types of information we collect, how we use it, how we protect it, and the rights available to you. By using our website or submitting information to us, you consent to the practices described below.
1. Information We Collect
We may collect personal, financial, and business information in a variety of ways, including but not limited to information that you provide directly to us through forms, applications, and communications, as well as information gathered automatically when you interact with our website. This includes personal identifying information (such as your name, address, email, phone number, date of birth, and government-issued identification), financial and business information necessary to process applications and assess eligibility, and technical information such as IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing activity. We may also retain records of communications that you send us for customer service, verification, or compliance purposes.
2. How We Use Your Information
The information we collect is used primarily to provide and improve our services. This includes processing loan applications, evaluating eligibility, maintaining accounts, and delivering services you request. We also use information to respond to inquiries, send important notices, and provide updates on programs and applications. HBDI is also required to comply with federal, state, and local regulations, including requirements of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), which may involve verification of identity and financial information. Additionally, collected information helps us improve our website functionality, monitor performance, and enhance user experience. We may also use your information for outreach and marketing purposes, though you can opt out at any time.
3. Sharing of Information
We do not sell or rent personal information. We may, however, share information in limited circumstances with trusted third-party service providers that perform services on our behalf, such as IT vendors, auditors, credit bureaus, and communication platforms. Information may also be shared with banks, lenders, guarantors, or government agencies, including the SBA, as necessary to process or service loan applications. Additionally, we may disclose information if required to comply with legal obligations, to protect the safety and rights of HBDI, our clients, or the public, or in connection with a business transaction such as a merger or restructuring. All third parties with whom we share information are expected to maintain strict confidentiality.
4. Data Security
HBDI employs administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. This includes secure servers, encrypted connections for transmitting sensitive data, and restricted access to information by authorized personnel only. We also monitor systems regularly to detect vulnerabilities and prevent breaches. While we take significant measures to safeguard your information, no system or transmission over the internet can be guaranteed as completely secure.
5. Data Retention
We retain personal and business information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, including meeting contractual, regulatory, and legal obligations and maintaining appropriate business records. Once retention requirements have expired, we securely delete or anonymize information in accordance with best practices and applicable law.
6. Your Rights and Choices
Depending on applicable laws, you may have rights with respect to the information we hold about you. These rights include the ability to request access to your data, correction of inaccurate or incomplete records, or deletion of certain information where permitted. You may also have the right to request restrictions on processing or object to certain uses of your data. If you no longer wish to receive marketing communications from us, you can unsubscribe at any time by following the link in our communications or by contacting us directly.
7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website uses cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience, improve site functionality, and analyze website usage. Cookies are small text files stored on your device that allow us to remember your preferences, maintain session information, and recognize returning visitors. We may also use cookies to measure the effectiveness of our communications and marketing campaigns. You can configure your browser to refuse all cookies or to alert you when a cookie is being sent. However, please note that some parts of our website may not function properly without cookies. We may also use third-party analytics services, such as Google Analytics, which collect and analyze information about website use and help us understand visitor behavior. These third parties may use their own cookies and other tracking technologies. Information collected through these tools is used only in aggregate form and is not combined with personally identifiable information.
8. Third-Party Links
Our website may include links to third-party websites for convenience or informational purposes. HBDI is not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of those external websites, and this Privacy Policy does not apply once you leave our website. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit before providing personal information.
9. Children’s Privacy
HBDI does not knowingly collect, solicit, or maintain personal information from children under the age of 13. Our website, programs, and services are intended for use by adults and business owners, not minors. If you are under the age of 13, please do not submit any personal information through our website or applications. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a child without verified parental consent, we will take immediate steps to delete that information from our records. Parents or guardians who believe that their child has provided information to us are encouraged to contact us so that we can take appropriate action. We also comply with applicable laws designed to protect the privacy of minors online, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
Our website, programs, and services are intended for use only by individuals who are 18 years of age or older. We do not knowingly collect, solicit, or maintain personal information from children or minors under the age of 18. If you are under 18, please do not use our website, submit any personal information, or attempt to apply for services.
In addition, we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which restricts the collection of personal information from children under the age of 13. If we discover that we have inadvertently collected personal data from a minor under the age of 18—or from a child under 13 without verified parental consent—we will take immediate steps to delete that information. Parents or guardians who believe their child may have provided information to us are encouraged to contact us so that we can take appropriate action.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, regulatory requirements, or other operational considerations. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised ‘Effective Date.’ Continued use of our website or services after the posting of any changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, our data practices, or your rights, please contact us at:
