Go Paperless: Pros and Cons of Digital Bank Statements

What You Need to Know Before Switching to Paperless Banking

Have you ever felt stressed by having a lot of bank statements at home and not knowing how to keep them organized? A lot of people deal with too much paper piling up. A good way to stop this is to use paperless bank statements. These let you get your statements online. You can look at them anytime on the internet, so you don’t have to keep paper copies.

Paperless statements let you check your account details anytime and anywhere. You can use your phone or your computer to look up your records. Everything is easy to find and safe to keep. Moving from paper to digital makes it easier to handle your money. It also helps the environment. There may be some things to think about, but the benefits are hard to ignore. Let’s look at what paperless statements could mean for your money.

What Paperless Bank Statements Do

Paperless statements are online options you can use instead of the usual paper records you get from the bank. Instead of getting them in your mail, you get them by logging in to your bank’s website or using a mobile app. You will see the same list of money in and out, just like with paper statements. These can be downloaded too, often as a PDF.

This way gives you more freedom and ease. It makes your records simple to set up, get, and keep without making more paper waste. But, people who are not used to online tools may need some time to get used to them. Knowing how paperless banking works is the first thing to do before you decide what’s right for you.

How Paperless Bank Statements Work

Paperless bank statements show a record of what happens in your account. They take the place of paper statements that come in the mail. You can look at these electronic records safely by logging in to your bank’s website or using its mobile app. This lets you see your transactions and balances at any time, which is fast and easy.

Most banks now let you switch to paperless delivery as one of their normal services. When you sign up, you will get an email or a message on the app when a new statement is ready. You can see it right away and also download or print a copy when you need it.

These statements can be used for checking accounts, savings accounts, credit cards, and other money products. You will find all of them in one place. The way it works is simple and safe. Many people like that it’s quick and helps keep things easy to find online.

Comparing Paper and Digital Statements

The main thing that sets paper and paperless statements apart is how you get and read them. Paper statements get printed and sent to you in the mail. You have to keep them in a safe spot, and they can pile up over time. On the other hand, paperless statements are online. You can read them on your bank’s website using your smartphone or laptop and don’t need to store any paper at all. The two types have the same details about your money, but how you use them can feel different.

Paperless statements help you get your information faster and are better for the environment. To use them, you need the internet and a device that works with the online statements. Paper statements might feel more known to you, but you get them slower because they have to come by mail. There is also a risk that they could get lost or taken by someone else.

These differences show the choice between doing things the old way and the easier digital way. It really depends on what you feel good with and how you like to do things with tech.

How to Switch to Digital Statements

Moving to paperless delivery is easy. It helps you keep track of money records better. You also cut down on the use of paper and help the planet by living in a more eco-friendly way. Most banks let you sign up for this on their apps or websites without any trouble.

To change your statement settings, log in to your online banking. Go to the “Statement Settings” or “Document Delivery” area. Pick which one of your accounts you want, and choose to get statements online. You might need to check or update your email or other contact info.

Switching to digital statements takes only a few simple steps. If you need help, many banks have step-by-step guides and customer support. You can call them or visit a branch for help.

What Is Needed to Use Paperless Statements

To access paperless bank statements, you’ll need:

• A computer, tablet, or smartphone that can go online
• A safe bank login with a strong password
• Two-factor authentication turned on for extra safety

These tools help you get your statements in a safe and easy way. After you set them up, you can get, read, and take care of your money papers online. This means you do not have to keep any paper copies now.

Steps to Start Receiving Paperless Statements

To change to digital bank statements, do these steps:

• Log in to your bank’s website or open the mobile app.
• Find the “Document Delivery” or “Statement Preferences” area.
• Pick the accounts that you want to get paperless statements for.
• Read and agree to the terms and conditions.
• Save your changes, then wait to get a confirmation.

Your next statements will be sent to you online. Many banks give you demos or step-by-step guides to help you with the setup. If you have any problems, you can talk to a staff member at your local branch or call the customer service hotline for help.

FAQs

Can I go back to paper statements after switching to paperless?

Yes. You can change your settings in your online banking or get in touch with your bank. The time it takes may be different for each bank, so it’s good to check with them.

How secure are paperless bank statements?

Paperless bank statements are safe when you get them from your bank’s locked and safe website. To keep your details safe, use strong passwords and set up two-factor authentication. It is good to not look at these statements when you are on public or open networks.

What if I need a physical copy for tax or legal reasons?

You can go to your bank’s website to download and print your online statements. Most banks keep old statements for several years. You can get these statements when you need them for tax or legal paperwork.

Written by Perkins Willow Updated July 16, 2025 by Albert Fang