What is the Paper Act?
In July 2025, Representative Mike Turner (R-OH-10) introduced the Protecting Against Paperless and Electronic Requirements (PAPER) Act (H.R. 4538). This legislation ensures that banks, credit unions, and financial institutions must continue offering customers the option of paper statements, preventing them from requiring digital-only delivery.
This protection matters for seniors, rural residents, and underserved communities who rely on tangible, reliable communications for financial management. It also reaffirms that paper is not just a preference. It’s a lifeline for accessibility and financial equity. Recent federal data indicate that about 1 in 6 U.S. households are not connected to the internet, underscoring the equity implications of paper-optional policies.
Why Paper Statements Still Matter
- Accessibility: Millions of Americans lack reliable internet access or digital skills.
- Trust & Engagement: Paper statements are reviewed more consistently than digital ones, leading to higher visibility and retention.
- Permanent Records: Paper remains a stable, offline archive for taxes, disputes, audits, and financial clarity, complementing digital storage rather than replacing it. (See also federal guidance on record retention and statements.) https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_consumer-credit-card-market-report_2023.pdf
- Consumer Protection: Physical statements can reduce certain online-specific risks (e.g., account takeover leading to inbox compromise), while still requiring secure handling and shredding. Digital delivery has its own protections (encryption, MFA). The key is consumer choice.
What the PAPER Act Means for the Print & Mail Industry
- Steady Demand: Legal protection for paper sustains demand for printed statements as part of multi-channel strategies (print + digital).
- Operational Investment: Predictable statement volumes help sustain secure, compliant facilities and jobs.
- Multi-Channel Value: Paper remains a high-trust touchpoint in customer communications, complementing apps, email, and SMS, not competing with them.
Why Compu-Mail Is the Right Partner
When it comes to secure, compliant, and reliable transactional mail, Compu-Mail is trusted by financial, healthcare, and member-based organizations across the country. Here’s why:
- SOC 2 Type II & SOC 3 Certification: Independent audits confirm that our security, confidentiality, and availability controls perform effectively over time. It ensures that your data remains consistently protected.
- HITRUST® Certification: Widely regarded as the gold standard in healthcare data protection, this certification ensures that we meet the highest requirements for safeguarding PHI and other sensitive information.
- HIPAA-Compliant Workflows: Our processes are designed to meet federal regulations, ensuring PHI is safeguarded against unauthorized access or disclosure.
- Secure Data Management: Certified security protocols include encrypted data transfer, controlled facility access, and secure storage.
- Expert Guidance: Our team creates secure, efficient, and compliant direct mail strategies.
With Compu-Mail, you get more than print. You get a partner who understands the responsibility that comes with handling sensitive information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the PAPER Act, and why does it matter?
A: It’s a federal bill (H.R. 4538) that would preserve consumers’ right to choose paper statements from covered financial institutions, rather than being pushed to digital-only. The goal is inclusion and access—especially for households without reliable internet. Status: Introduced July 17, 2025; referred to House Financial Services. https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/4538
Q: Does the PAPER Act mean all customers will get paper statements?
A: No, it protects choice. Customers who prefer digital can keep it; those who prefer paper can continue to receive it.
Q: Does paper mean less secure than digital?
A: Each has a different risk profile. Paper avoids certain online-only threats (like account hacking/inbox compromise) but must be stored/disposed securely. Digital can offer encryption, MFA, and rapid alerts. Best practice is to select the channel(s) that fit your users and risk model—and give customers a genuine choice. https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_consumer-credit-card-market-report_2023.pdf
Q: How can Compu-Mail help organizations comply?
A: We provide fully compliant, secure, and efficient statement printing and mailing — ensuring institutions can meet regulatory requirements while keeping costs manageable.
Q: Is paper mail environmentally sustainable?
A: Yes. At Compu-Mail, we use recycled paper, sustainable inks, and eco-friendly processes to ensure a reduced environmental footprint while m
