APPS may run the front end, but printers still keep banks moving behind the counter. Photographs courtesy of Epson
PEP

Digital or not, banks still print and Epson is ready

DT

Even as digital banking accelerates, paperwork continues to anchor daily operations inside bank branches, where accuracy, reliability, and speed remain non-negotiable. From opening new accounts to updating passbooks, physical documentation still plays a critical role in building trust and keeping transactions running smoothly.

Epson is positioning itself at the center of that reality, offering printing solutions designed to support the document-heavy demands of modern banking. The company said that while mobile apps and online platforms dominate headlines, the physical branch and the equipment behind the counter remain essential to operational efficiency.

PAPER still does the heavy lifting.

For more than five decades, Epson has focused on building dependable technology for industries where documentation is unavoidable, including banking. Its design philosophy, known as sho-sho-sei, emphasizes efficiency, compactness, and precision, principles the company says are critical in environments where space is limited and mistakes are costly.

Inside a typical bank branch, tellers juggle multiple tasks at once, from printing registration forms and copying IDs to scanning records for digital archiving. These steps can pile up quickly during peak hours, creating bottlenecks that slow service and increase the risk of errors.

To address this, Epson highlighted the EcoTank M2170, an all-in-one printer designed for front-counter use. The device combines printing, scanning, and copying in a compact unit, allowing staff to move seamlessly between tasks. Its refillable ink system is positioned as a cost-efficient option that reduces waste and minimizes downtime.

The printer uses pigment ink designed to produce sharp, durable text that resists smudging, water exposure, and fading, a key requirement for official banking documents that must remain readable for years. Automatic duplex printing also helps speed up document handling for transactions such as loan applications and account opening.

Despite the growth of digital services, passbooks remain a vital record for many Filipino bank customers, serving as a tangible source of security and reference. Epson said passbook updating remains a critical service point where precision and alignment are essential.

The company pointed to its PLQ-50CSM Passbook Printer as a purpose-built solution for this task. Designed to handle different passbook formats and thicknesses, the printer delivers precise alignment across multiple lines and pages, reducing errors and reprints. Its build quality is aimed at supporting continuous use in high-volume branch environments.

“These are the moments where banking systems are tested every day,” said Masako Kusama, president and director of Epson Philippines Corporation.

“For half a century, we’ve been dedicated to engineering solutions that deliver dependable performance in the real, day-to-day environments where our clients operate. This consistency enables banks to uphold impeccable service standards and focus on their customers, knowing their back-end processes are solid and reliable,” Kusama added.

Epson said its approach is rooted in understanding the realities of banking operations, where the same processes are repeated thousands of times daily. By focusing on durability and consistency, the company aims to help banks maintain service quality while adapting to evolving customer expectations.