In the banking world, ATMs represent one of the most enduring touchpoints between financial institutions and their customers.
Despite the rise of digital banking, cash machines still handle millions of transactions daily across Europe. But one part of the ATM experience has stubbornly stayed stuck in the past: the paper receipt.
For ATM operators managing networks on behalf of banks, these little slips of thermal paper add up fast – in cost, environmental impact, and, perhaps most importantly, in missed opportunities for engagement and insight. As customer expectations shift and sustainability moves into the spotlight, digital receipts are stepping forward as a smarter alternative that goes well beyond just saving money.
The Hidden Costs of Paper Receipts
Paper receipts present a series of challenges. Operationally, they demand constant upkeep – from restocking thermal rolls and fixing paper jams to maintaining aging printers across a wide network. A mid-sized ATM operator might spend £150–200 per machine each year just on receipt-related issues – and that adds up fast across hundreds or thousands of machines.
Then there’s the environmental cost. A network of 500 ATMs can chew through over 2 tonnes of thermal paper a year. That paper often contains BPA or BPS – chemicals that make recycling tricky – and most receipts end up in landfills where they take years to decompose. With regulations tightening and banks under growing pressure to show climate-conscious action, sticking with paper looks less and less sustainable.
And here’s the kicker – customers don’t even want them. Paper receipts are easy to lose, hard to read over time, and often tossed immediately. They don’t connect with mobile banking, can’t be searched, and don’t create space for deeper engagement. In a world of seamless digital experiences, the paper receipt feels out of place.
The Digital Receipt Advantage
Digital receipts flip the script. Instead of being a drain, they become a value driver. Customers get a modern experience that fits their expectations – receipts that show up via email, SMS, or their banking app, searchable and permanent. They can sync with budgeting tools, offer accessibility features, and keep the ATM experience consistent with other banking channels. It’s no surprise that 72% of customers prefer digital over paper – and that jumps to 86% among people under 35.
For operators, the upside is immediate. No more printer jams. No more paper logistics. Fewer engineer callouts. Less downtime. Longer-lasting hardware. Altogether, operators can save £120–180 per machine every year while running a leaner, more efficient operation.
And the environmental case? Even stronger. Ditching paper means less waste, no BPA/BPS, and a smaller carbon footprint. These are metrics banks can showcase in their ESG reports – tangible proof of their sustainability story.
The Data Opportunity
Beyond these immediate benefits, digital receipts create unprecedented opportunities for customer understanding and engagement.
Every digital receipt becomes a data point, revealing patterns in location, time, cash usage, and more. That helps banks optimize ATM placement, cash stock levels, and even feature rollouts – something paper simply can’t deliver.
And because these receipts live in digital channels, they become a bridge for deeper customer engagement. Banks can personalize messages, recommend services, gather feedback, share tips, and link into loyalty programs – all right on the receipt. One major bank saw 23% higher engagement from messages sent via receipts than from regular marketing emails.
There’s also a clear measurement boost. Digital receipts let banks connect the dots – from ATM use to online banking activity, from promotions to outcomes. It’s easier to measure impact, attribute behavior, and build stronger business cases for investing in ATM networks.
How refive Enables the Transformation
Going digital with receipts across an ATM network takes the right tech and know-how. That’s where we come in. Refive offers a fully integrated platform that works with all major ATM models and operating systems. It’s non-intrusive, easy to deploy, and flexible – whether you’re starting small, running pilots, or going all-in.
We focus on the customer experience. That means multi-channel delivery (email, SMS, app), consent management, GDPR compliance, and accessibility options. Transition periods? Covered. We make sure there’s always a fallback to keep things running smoothly.
From the data side, we’ve got secure storage, real-time dashboards, and customizable analytics. Operators get clear insights into adoption, usage, cash trends, receipt performance, and more. Whether you’re optimizing operations or exploring new engagement strategies, our tools help you move fast and smart.
Measuring Success
What does success look like? Here’s what we typically see: 60–75% digital receipt adoption within six months. Customer satisfaction up 12–18%. Engagement with receipt content that’s 3–5x higher than email. And fewer queries about transaction records, because customers now have everything stored digitally.
Operationally, there’s around 15–20% fewer printer-related issues. Annual savings in the €140–210 per ATM range. Plus, engineers can shift focus to higher-value tasks, printers last longer, and managing inventory becomes simpler — all helping teams operate more smoothly.
And yes, the environmental wins are real too – 4–5kg less paper per ATM per year, no more BPA/BPS, reduced emissions, and easy-to-measure sustainability gains that support corporate responsibility goals.
A Small Change with Big Impact
For something as simple as a receipt, the ripple effects of going digital are surprisingly far-reaching. What starts as a switch from paper to pixels quickly unfolds into something much bigger: lower costs, fewer maintenance headaches, richer data, happier customers, and a meaningful step toward sustainability.
This is a smarter, future-ready way to run ATM networks. With regulatory pressure increasing and customer expectations rising, digital receipts let ATM operators stay ahead without overhauling everything. And for banks, it’s a chance to make a small but visible shift toward a more digital, more responsible customer experience.
The tools are here. The benefits are real. The transition is simpler than you’d think. What matters now is moving early – and moving smart. With the right partner, a receipt becomes a touchpoint that delivers lasting value – and that’s what we do at refive.
Let’s talk about what digital receipts can unlock for you.
