The printing and mail‑service sector remains essential for millions of Americans who still prefer, or require, paper communications. On July 17, 2025, Representative Mike Turner (R‑OH‑10) introduced H.R. 4538, the Protecting Against Paperless and Electronic Requirements (PAPER) Act, aimed at safeguarding consumer access to paper statements from financial institutions.
The PAPER Act mandates that financial institutions, including banks and credit unions, offer consumers the option to receive monthly paper statements, and cannot require digital‑only statements as a condition to access accounts or services. The PAPER Act protects individuals’ right to receive important financial information in a tangible, readable format.
PRINTING United Alliance and likeminded advocates of the PAPER Act emphasize the importance of accessibility and inclusion: ensuring that Americans that lack access to technology or the tech-savvy skills to use such, are not discriminated against. Without paper options, millions, including seniors or rural consumers, could face service loss if they decline digital delivery. It's crucial to preserve paper-based options for Americans who need it to access information and services, regardless of whether they use digital technology.
The Alliance also advocates for consumer access to print communications without undue fees or penalties. While the PAPER Act does not address this issue, we encourage lawmakers to further protect consumers by adding a provision to the bill that would eliminate any collection of fees or penalties for paper choice.
Despite that omission, the PAPER Act is a meaningful effort to enshrine consumers’ rights to receive paper financial statements safeguarding access, equity, and print demand alike.
What It Means for Printers Serving the Financial Sector
For commercial printers that specialize in transactional and regulatory financial documents, including bank statements, investment reports, and compliance notices, H.R. 4538 offers important protections:
Stabilizes demand: Ensures that paper-based financial communications remain a legal requirement and a viable service line, helping printers maintain volume and long-term contracts with financial institutions.
Supports job retention and growth: Printing businesses employ skilled workers and invest in secure, high-volume output capabilities specifically tailored to financial clients.
Strengthens the print value proposition: As institutions are required to maintain paper options, the bill reinforces the critical role of high-quality, secure, and timely printed documents in a multichannel communication strategy.
Encourages innovation: Ongoing demand for financial document printing allows printers to continue investing in compliance-integrated services such as variable data printing, secure mailing, and archival solutions.
The PAPER Act is not just a consumer rights issue, it’s a direct line of support for printers who deliver critical financial documents with professionalism, accuracy, and confidentiality. In a rapidly digitizing world, this legislation affirms the importance of keeping print part of the communications mix.
H.R. 4538 is currently under consideration by the House Financial Services Committee. As the bill advances, the Alliance will remain actively engaged, urging lawmakers to support this critical measure and emphasizing the essential role printed financial documents play in building consumer trust, ensuring equitable access, and preserving choice.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on the PAPER Act. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislation or reach out to Steph should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.