OREANDA-NEWS. March 05, 2013. SEB launched a pilot project in which clients are provided state-of-the-art digital and paper free service in select bank branches In a paper free branch, documents are signed digitally and then saved in the client’s digital portal located in the Internet bank. This results in significant savings in the everyday use of paper and makes the bank more environmentally friendly.

In paper free branches, clients are served by means of a touchscreen, and the created documents are signed by an ID card or mobile ID and then archived in the client’s digital portal located in the Internet bank. If they wish, clients may continue to sign their documents on paper; however, the goal is to ultimately minimise the amount of paper documents.

“According to our calculations, our tellers currently print nearly 400 000 sheets per month – equivalent to 160 boxes of paper. In a year, this amounts to 240 tonnes of paper, for the production of which about 650 trees are felled; plus energy and water costs. This initiative is primarily aimed at a sustainable environment and broadening of horizons. On average, we will save four sheets of paper with every bank transaction,” says Eerika Vaikmae-Koit, Head of Retail Banking and Technology Area.

SEB is the first in Estonia to offer full-scale paper free services at its Magistral branch in Tallinn; the service is also available at the Head Office at Tornimae and in the Rakvere branch.

“In the future, we plan to provide paper free services at all branches. By the end of 2017, we wish to reduce the amount of paper documents by 60 per cent in our branch services segment. In addition to being increasingly greener in our activity, such an interactive service also contributes to the quality of service. This new technological solution allows the client to follow the entire service process on the screen; thus the process is shortened and mistakes are avoided,” added Vaikmae-Koit.

To enjoy paper free services, clients need to have on them their ID card and know both PIN codes, or a mobile phone with mobile ID service activated. Until the end of March, those clients who use the paper free service can update the PIN-codes of their ID card free of charge.