Black Hills Trust Company, LLC (“BH Trust,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a South Dakota‐chartered public trust company regulated under South Dakota Codified Law Title 51A. Protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and security of personal information entrusted to us is a core fiduciary obligation and a fundamental part of our corporate culture.
This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, protect, and share personal information in connection with our fiduciary services and our website. It is designed to reflect the high standards of privacy and discretion associated with South Dakota trust administration and the global best practices followed by leading trust and fiduciary institutions.
Scope
This Privacy Policy applies to personal information collected through our fiduciary services, client onboarding processes, and our website. Additional disclosures may apply to specific fiduciary relationships.
Our Commitment to Confidentiality
BH Trust maintains strict confidentiality over all non‐public personal information (NPPI) and personally identifiable information (PII) obtained in the course of providing fiduciary, administrative, and related services.
- We do not sell personal information.
- We do not share personal information for marketing purposes.
- We disclose information only as permitted or required by law, or as necessary to administer fiduciary relationships.
Our privacy practices comply with:
- The Gramm‐Leach‐Bliley Act (GLBA)
- Applicable federal and state financial privacy laws
- South Dakota trust statutes
- Industry‐standard fiduciary confidentiality expectations
Definitions
- Non‐Public Personal Information (NPPI) means information that is not publicly available and is provided to us in connection with a fiduciary or financial service.
- Personally Identifiable Information (PII) means information that identifies, relates to, or can reasonably be linked to an individual.
Information We Collect
We collect only the information necessary to administer fiduciary accounts, meet regulatory obligations, and operate our website securely.
Information Provided by Clients and Prospective Clients
- Name
- Mailing address
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Identification documents (as required for regulatory compliance)
- Information related to trust, estate, custodial, or fiduciary relationships
- Financial or legal documents provided in connection with services
Information Collected Through Our Website
When you visit our website, we may collect limited technical data, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device type and operating system
- Pages visited and time spent
- Date and time of access
- Diagnostic and performance data
This information is used solely for security, performance, and operational purposes.
Cookies & Tracking Technologies
Our website may use cookies or similar technologies to enhance functionality and improve user experience. Cookies may collect technical data such as browser type, device information, and usage patterns. You may disable cookies through your browser settings. Some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled. For additional details, please refer to our Cookie Policy.
How We Use Personal Information
We use personal information only for legitimate fiduciary, administrative, and regulatory purposes, including:
- Establishing and administering fiduciary accounts
- Meeting legal, regulatory, and audit obligations
- Processing transactions
- Maintaining accurate records
- Responding to inquiries
- Ensuring website security and performance
- Communicating required notices
We do not use personal information for advertising or unrelated marketing.
Legal Basis for Processing
We process personal information only when permitted by applicable law, including for contractual obligations, legal and regulatory requirements, legitimate fiduciary interests, or with your consent where required.
Information Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill fiduciary obligations, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, and maintain appropriate business records.
How We Share Personal Information
BH Trust shares personal information only as permitted by law and only when necessary to conduct our fiduciary responsibilities. Everyday business purposes include activities such as account administration, processing transactions, maintaining records, regulatory compliance, audit functions, information security, and operational or administrative support provided by our affiliates. We do not share personal information with third parties except as described below.
We may share information for the following purposes:
| Purpose | Does BH Trust Share? | Can You Limit This Sharing? |
| Everyday business purposes (processing transactions, servicing accounts, legal compliance) | Yes | No |
| Marketing our products and services | No | N/A |
| Joint marketing with other financial companies | No | We do not share |
| Affiliates’ everyday business purposes (transactions and experiences) | Yes | No |
| Affiliates’ everyday business purposes (creditworthiness) | No | We do not share |
| Non-affiliates marketing to you | No | We do not share |
When you are no longer a client, we continue to protect your information as described in this policy.
Protection of Minors’ Information
We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors (under age 18) without verified consent or legal authority. Any minor‐related information received in connection with fiduciary services is handled with heightened confidentiality and restricted access.
How We Protect Your Information
We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with federal and state law, including:
- Encryption of data in transit and at rest
- Firewalls and intrusion‐detection systems
- Secure facilities and restricted access
- Multi‐factor authentication
- Regular security audits and monitoring
- Employee training on confidentiality and data protection
Only authorized personnel with a legitimate business need may access personal information, and our safeguards are regularly reviewed and updated to address evolving cybersecurity risks.
How We Collect Information
We collect information when you:
- Establish or inquire about a fiduciary relationship
- Provide documents or instructions
- Communicate with us by phone, email, or in person
- Visit our website
- Subscribe to newsletters or updates
Accuracy of Information
We rely on the accuracy of the information you provide. Please notify us promptly of any changes so we may maintain accurate and complete records.
Your Rights and Choices
Federal law allows you to limit certain types of information sharing. You may contact us at any time to request limitations permitted by law.
To Limit Sharing
Call 605‐939-3601 and a BH Trust representative will assist you. For joint accounts, your choices apply to all account holders unless otherwise specified.
Links to Third‐Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites not operated by BH Trust. We are not responsible for the content, security, or privacy practices of third‐party sites. Please review their privacy policies before providing personal information.
International Clients
Although BH Trust is a U.S. public trust company, we may serve clients residing outside the United States. Personal information of international clients is handled in accordance with applicable U.S. laws and with commercially reasonable measures consistent with global privacy expectations.
Regulatory Oversight
BH Trust is regulated by the South Dakota Division of Banking, which oversees our compliance with applicable trust, privacy, and fiduciary laws.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised “Last Updated” date. Material changes may also be communicated by client portal, email, USPS mail, or prominent website notice. A copy of this Privacy Policy is provided annually.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to request an alternative format, please contact us at info@bhtrustco.com. We are committed to responding promptly to all privacy-related inquiries.
Related Policies
This Privacy Policy is part of BH Trust’s Legal & Compliance framework and should be reviewed alongside our Cookie Policy, Terms of Use, Disclaimer, and Regulatory Disclosures.