Imagine a single sheet of paper left unattended on a printer that costs your bank thousands in fines, or worse, irreparable reputational damage. With regulatory pressure mounting from FINRA, the SEC, and GDPR, banks can no longer afford to treat print security as an afterthought. The way your institution manages printed documents isn’t just an operational detail - it’s a critical compliance issue that demands attention.
Why print security matters for banks
Banks need print security because unmanaged printing can expose sensitive data and violate FINRA, SEC, and GDPR standards. Managed print services provide secure workflows, audit trails, and data protections to help banks stay compliant and avoid fines.
At a glance, managed print services help banks:
- Protect customer and financial data
- Ensure secure document workflows
- Provide detailed audit logs
- Reduce regulatory compliance risks
Let’s take a closer look at the intersection of print environment security, compliance, and managed print services.
Compliance risks in banking print environments
Banks face compliance risks when sensitive financial or customer data is left unsecured in print workflows. Forgotten documents, unprotected devices, and untracked jobs can all lead to costly data breaches.
Even a simple mistake, like leaving a client statement in the tray, can become a compliance violation. Printers are also network-connected devices, making them vulnerable to cyberattacks if unmanaged. Without proper controls, banks expose themselves to risks that regulators and customers alike will not overlook.
How regulators like FINRA, SEC, and GDPR apply to printing
FINRA, SEC, and GDPR all require banks to safeguard data - whether it’s digital or printed. That means implementing controls around how documents are created, accessed, and stored.
- FINRA requires strict recordkeeping and customer data protection. Any printed financial communications must be secure and traceable.
- SEC rules demand strong internal controls and audit-ready record retention, which extend to print workflows.
- GDPR enforces data privacy for personal information, requiring banks to limit and protect access - even to printed documents.
Ignoring the print environment when meeting these regulations creates a blind spot that auditors and regulators won’t miss.
Consequences of failing to secure print systems
When banks fail to secure printers, they risk fines, lawsuits, and reputational harm. Regulatory agencies have issued penalties for mishandling sensitive information, and breaches from unprotected printing are no exception.
Clients expect financial institutions to protect their data at every stage. A preventable exposure from printing undermines that trust and signals weak internal controls. In banking, trust is currency and once lost, it’s hard to regain.
How managed print services strengthen compliance
Managed print services (MPS) help banks turn printing into a controlled, secure, and compliant process. By combining technology with oversight, MPS ensures sensitive documents are handled properly every time.
Key benefits include:
- Secure print release so documents only print when the authorized employee is present.
- User authentication for access to devices handling financial data.
- Centralized monitoring for IT and compliance teams to track activity.
- Workflow automation that reduces manual handling and human error.
With MPS, compliance isn’t left to chance - it’s built into everyday workflows.
Audit readiness through MPS
MPS supports audit readiness by creating verifiable records of who printed what, when, and where. These detailed logs align directly with the expectations of FINRA, SEC, and GDPR regulators.
Core audit-ready features include:
- Comprehensive print logs that track every transaction.
- On-demand reports to streamline regulatory audits.
- Retention controls that support mandated recordkeeping timelines.
For compliance teams, this means less scrambling during audits and more confidence in day-to-day oversight.
FAQs: managed print services & compliance in banking
A trusted partner in banking compliance
In banking, compliance is non-negotiable and print security vulnerabilities shouldn’t be the weak link. Managed print services give banks the secure workflows, audit trails, and protections they need to meet FINRA, SEC, and GDPR requirements while protecting client trust.
At EO Johnson, we know compliance isn’t just about technology, it’s about partnership. With decades of proven service, Midwest roots, and a client-first approach, we help financial institutions simplify their print environments and reduce compliance risks.
When the stakes are this high, you deserve a partner who takes your security and compliance as seriously as you do. Contact us for an audit-readiness assessment of your bank’s print environment.
