Direct Debits and Standing Orders
Manage your regular payments with ease
Many organisations rely on predictable, automated payments to keep things running smoothly. Whether you need to collect payments from customers or pay suppliers on time, we offer straightforward options to help you stay organised and in control.
How can Direct Debits and Standing Orders help my business?
- Predictable cash flow: Know exactly when money will be paid or collected.
- Better budgeting: Regular payment cycles support accurate planning and ensure you avoid missed or late payments charges.
- Less admin: Automated payments reduce manual workload, whilst set schedules minimise human error.
Manage Direct Debits and Standing Orders in Online Banking
What are Direct Debits and Standing Orders?
Direct Debits and Standing Orders are two simple ways to automate your regular payments, but they work in different ways.
Direct Debits
A Direct Debit lets an organisation collect authorised payments directly from your business account. The amount and frequency can vary, and the organisation you’re paying controls the payment schedule.
Best for:
- Paying variable bills such a utilities, insurance etc.
- Paying suppliers when the payment amount changes.
- Subscriptions or usage-based services.
All Direct Debits are backed up the the Direct Debit Guarantee.
Standing Orders
A Standing Order is a fixed, regular payment that you set up and control. You choose the amount, frequency and end date, and your bank sends the payment to the recipient automatically on the agreed date.
Best for:
- Paying fixed monthly invoices.
- Regular transfers between your own accounts.
- Rent, subscriptions or payroll to contractors when the payment amount doesn’t change.
What’s the difference between Direct Debits and Standing Orders?
| Feature | Direct Debit | Standing Order |
|
Who controls the payment? |
The organisation taking the payment |
You |
|
Can the payment amount vary? |
Yes |
No – it’s always a fixed amount |
|
Can the payment date change? |
Yes |
No |
|
Best for |
Variable bills or supplier payments |
Fixed, recurring transfers |
|
Cost |
Usually costs apply e.g. service provider fees, transaction fees etc |
Generally free for the business to receive |
Which option is right for your organisation?
Use a Direct Debit when you want flexibility or if the organisation collecting your money needs to adjust payment amounts.
Use a Standing Order when the payment amount is fixed and you want full control over when payments leave your account.
Need to collect Direct Debits from your customers?
If your organisation wants to take Direct Debit payments and not just make them, our dedicated Bacs payment services can help. We support both direct and indirect submissions.
Ready to set up a Direct Debit or Standing Order?
How to set up a Direct Debit in three easy steps:
Step 1
Provide your bank details to the organisation you want to pay.
Step 2
They'll set up the Direct Debit and notify you before each payment.
Step 3
You can view, monitor or cancel Direct Debits within Online Banking.
How to set up a Standing Order in three easy steps:
Step 1
Login to Online Banking and select "Set up a Standing Order".
Step 2
Enter the payee's details, the payment amount and payment schedule.
Step 3
Review and confirm - we'll handle the rest.
Other Unity payment solutions:
Bacs
Bulk Faster Payments
CHAPS Payments
Accepting Card Payments
International Payments
Corporate Purchasing Cards
It’s simple, secure and stress-free to switch to us
If you’re ready to switch your Business Current Account to Unity Trust Bank, we’ll make sure it happens like clockwork. It’s guaranteed to take 7 working days, it’s free, and it’s all taken care of by the Current Account Switch Service.