Nine out of 10 people (88%) prefer to receive their bank statements through the post, research from Royal Mail has shown.

A further 7 out of 10 consumers feel that when it comes to delivering important or confidential information, the post is more secure than email.

It appears that, as levels of identity theft rise and people are more concerned about the widespread availability of personal information, the post remains a trusted means of transferring information.

Two-thirds (67%) of respondents said that it is easier to understand their bank statements on paper than it is to view them online.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Abi Wood head of financial marketing at Royal Mail, said: “It is clear that traditional communication methods are still incredibly important to individuals of all age groups. Banks should continue to investigate the different and complementary roles that the different channels play for the modern consumer.

“Posted statements remain important to people for their accessibility and security. They can be filed and retained for future reference, and are of course not reliant on access to an Internet connection.”