Paperless finances = no more filing?

Just finished an epic filing session which made me realise how bad paper statements are on many levels: a waste of paper, energy and effort as well as monumentally boring to deal with. So, I've tried to turn all of my accounts paperless. Here are the results - in reverse order of performance:

6. Worst performer in sixth place: Capital One
Who not only do not provide paperless statements, they have no information saying this on their website. I gave in and phoned them and they said that they were "legally required" to send me paper statements. I asked why other credit card companies were not legally required, and he said - with faultless logic - that they were other companies so he didn't know. I asked if they had any plans to change this, and he said no. I pointed out the environmental impact, and the guy actually laughed. Nice. I guess when you send out that much junk mail, you probably aren't that concerned about the environment.

5. John Lewis partnership card - who also have no option for online statements but at least said that they were working at it.

4. Amex (Red card) - they had messaging on the homepage and very simple process. I liked that they were very specific that they would send me an email when the statement was ready. They lost points only on the meaningless branding - "My St@tement" - really...

3. First Direct - had a link on their homepage urging me to turn to paperless statements and offering to plant a tree on my behalf as well. I can even vote for where the tree is planted. They have a cute virtual forest with one tree per account that had gone paperless (one real tree planeted for every 20 virtual trees), 2,500 trees planted to date. Once in internet banking, they lost points for trying harder to get me to take out a credit card than signposting the paperless statement option, but it was pretty easy to work out. I chose to turn off paper statements and also opted to receive changes to Ts&Cs online. Could have been clearer if they are going to send me an email when the statement is issued. Encouraging me to print the statements anyway somewhat spoiled the overall effect.

2. HSBC (who own First Direct) had the same virtual forest and tree-planting deal, but were promoting it in their internet banking and the process felt more slick.

And.... drumrolllllll
In first place - Egg - has had online statementing only since their launch, saving costs and the environment together. So, no fanfare or tree planting, but probably saved a few trees anyway over the last six years of no paper statements.

So, my summary of good practice for paperless statementing would be
- send an email when the statement is generated and be clear that you are going to do this
- signpost the option to have paperless statements prominently within internet banking
- offer a small incentive (like HSBC's tree planting) to max the feel-good
- don't encourage people to print the statements anyway

Total carbon emission savings? I will try to find out ...

Low carbon holidays

Just got back from the best holiday. We got the train down to Dorset, and spent a week walking along the South West Coast Path from little village to little village. We stayed at B&Bs along the way and ate at funny local pubs. The weather was amazing. More photos.

Made me realise that this is the first holiday I have ever been on where I didn't once get in a plane or car. Hopefully there will be more...