How we use cookies & similar tech.

1. What are cookies and similar technologies?

Cookies are small text files that a website stores on your device when you visit. They allow the site to recognize your browser, remember your actions and preferences, and help ensure features work correctly.

When we talk about cookies in this policy, we also include related technologies such as:

• Pixels or web beacons (tiny code snippets that help measure traffic and conversions).
• Local storage and similar browser‑based storage mechanisms.
• SDKs or mobile identifiers used in apps or mobile web environments.

Some of these technologies are set by The Lenders Network (often called “first‑party” cookies) and some may be set by partners (often called “third‑party” cookies), such as analytics or advertising providers.

2. Types of cookies we use

Because we operate a loan comparison platform (not a lender), we rely on cookies to keep the experience fast, fair, and secure while multiple lenders compete for your attention. We group the cookies we use into the following categories:

2.1 Strictly necessary (essential) cookies

These cookies are needed for the site to function properly and cannot realistically be turned off without breaking core features. They typically:

• Enable basic navigation and page rendering.
• Help maintain security (for example, preventing certain attacks or misuse).
• Remember basic session information so pages don’t “forget” who you are between clicks.

Because these cookies are essential for the service you request (like loading pages or submitting forms), they generally do not require consent under most laws, but you can still block them using your browser settings. Doing so may cause parts of the site to malfunction.

2.2 Performance & analytics cookies

These cookies help us understand how people interact with The Lenders Network so we can improve the experience and keep lenders competing fairly. They may:

• Count visits, measure which pages are most or least popular, and track how users move around the site.
• Help us understand where traffic comes from (for example, certain campaigns or search engines).
• Identify technical issues like broken links or slow pages.

Information collected through analytics cookies is often aggregated, but it may use identifiers (such as IP addresses or device IDs) that can be treated as personal information under some laws.

2.3 Functionality & preference cookies

These cookies allow the site to remember your choices and provide a smoother, more tailored experience. For example, they can:

• Remember your preferred language or region.
• Recall that you already saw or dismissed certain notices or popups.
• Pre‑fill certain form fields or preserve your progress for a short period.

Without these cookies, you may need to re‑enter the same information more often, and some convenience features may not work as intended.

2.4 Advertising & marketing cookies

Advertising cookies help us and our partners show more relevant ads, measure campaign performance, and avoid showing the same ad repeatedly. In a loan comparison context, this may include:

• Showing our content to people who have previously visited our site.
• Measuring which campaigns lead to lender matches or other conversions.
• Helping lenders and partners understand how their listings or offers perform.

These cookies may track your activity across sites or apps over time. Depending on your location, we may ask for your consent before using advertising cookies or allow you to opt out of certain uses.

3. Who sets cookies on The Lenders Network?

Cookies and similar technologies on our sites may be placed by:

• The Lenders Network (first‑party cookies), which support core site functions, analytics, and certain personalization features we control.
• Third‑party providers that supply services such as:
  • Analytics and traffic measurement.
  • Ad serving and attribution.
  • Fraud detection and security.

Third‑party cookies are governed by those providers’ own privacy and cookie policies. We work with them to ensure they operate in a manner consistent with our obligations, but we do not control how every third party uses cookies outside of our services.

For more information on how personal information is shared with third parties, see the “How we share your information” section of our Privacy Policy.

4. How cookies support a loan comparison experience

Cookies are especially important for a comparison platform like The Lenders Network because they help:

• Keep session information consistent across multiple lenders and tools.
• Ensure performance and loading times stay reasonable when viewing complex loan content.
• Measure which types of users are seeing and responding to which lender offers.
• Limit repetitive prompts, so you don’t see the same banner every time you visit.

We do not use cookies to make underwriting decisions or to approve or deny loans. We are not a lender. Our use of cookies is about operating and improving the comparison and lead‑generation experience, not about credit decisioning.

5. Your choices: how to control cookies

You have several options for managing cookies and similar technologies. Some controls operate at the site level, while others apply to your browser, device, or specific partners.

5.1 Browser and device settings

Most browsers allow you to:

• Block or delete cookies altogether.
• Block cookies from specific sites or from third parties.
• Send a signal when you do not wish to be tracked (for example, “Do Not Track” or similar signals).

If you block or delete cookies, our site may still work, but some features (like staying logged in, saved preferences, or smooth navigation between tools) may not function correctly.

5.2 On‑site cookie banners or preference tools

Depending on your location, you may see cookie banners, popups, or preference centers when you visit The Lenders Network. These tools may let you:

• Accept or reject non‑essential cookies (such as advertising or some analytics cookies).
• Change your cookie choices over time.
• View more details about specific categories and providers.

These interfaces may vary by region and over time as laws and technologies change.

5.3 Industry and partner opt‑outs

Some advertising and analytics providers participate in industry opt‑out programs or offer their own tools to limit the use of certain identifiers for targeted advertising. These choices typically apply across many sites, not just The Lenders Network.

External opt‑out tools are operated by third parties, not by The Lenders Network. You should read their instructions carefully and understand that clearing cookies or changing devices/browsers can reset some of these choices.

6. “Do Not Track” and global preference signals

Some browsers and plugins offer “Do Not Track” (DNT) or other global preference signals intended to indicate that you prefer not to be tracked across sites. At this time, there is no single, universally accepted standard for how to respond to all such signals in every jurisdiction.

Where required by law or guidance, we make reasonable efforts to honor supported browser‑level or platform‑level preference signals in connection with applicable cookie categories. In other contexts, we may treat these signals as one factor alongside your on‑site choices and browser settings.

7. How long cookies stay on your device

Cookies can be:

• Session cookies, which expire when you close your browser or end your session.
• Persistent cookies, which remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them.

We and our partners use a mix of session and persistent cookies. The specific duration depends on the cookie’s purpose (for example, a short‑lived cookie for a single session vs. a longer‑lived one to remember preferences or track long‑term trends). You can see or delete these cookies through your browser settings.

8. How this Cookie Policy relates to our Privacy Policy

This Cookie Policy focuses on how we use cookies and similar technologies. It should be read together with our Privacy Policy, which explains:

• What personal information we collect overall.
• How we use and share that information, beyond cookies.
• Your broader privacy rights and choices (such as access, correction, or deletion requests).

If there is any conflict between this Cookie Policy and our Privacy Policy regarding data handling, the Privacy Policy will usually control for those broader questions.

9. Changes to this Cookie Policy

We may revise this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in:

• The cookies or technologies we use.
• How our loan comparison platform operates.
• Legal requirements or guidance.

When we update this policy, we will change the “Last updated” date and may provide additional notice (such as a banner or message) where required. Your continued use of The Lenders Network after a change takes effect indicates that you acknowledge the updated Cookie Policy, to the extent permitted by law.

10. How to contact us about cookies

If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or how we use cookies and similar technologies, you can reach us at:

Email
support@thelendersnetwork.com

Mail
The Lenders Network
3131 McKinney Ave, Suite 668
Dallas, TX 75204

Phone
(214) 501‑5382

When you contact us, please include details about your browser, device, and what you are experiencing, so we can better understand and address your question or concern.