What is the difference between a Direct Debit and a Standing Order?

Both Direct Debits and Standing Orders are instructions to your bank to make regular payments to Compassion UK. However, there is a difference, which will impact the way your payments are set up. With Standing Orders (S/O), you give your bank or building society an instruction to pay a set sum of money at regular intervals into our Compassion bank account. Only you are able to amend this sum by contacting your bank. If you wish to make a birthday gift or contribute to the Compassion Christmas fund, for example, then you will need to contact your bank to set this up. Compassion UK will be unable to do this for you. With a Direct Debit (D/D) you give authorisation to allow Compassion UK to collect sponsorship donations from your bank account at regular intervals. A Direct Debit also allows the recipient (Compassion UK) to change the sum of money collected from your account providing that we give you advance notice. Direct Debit also allows us to set up additional one-off donations with your permission. For example, if you you’d like to give £15 for your child’s birthday, just let us now and we can arrange for the amount to be taken from your account.

Most supporters pay via Direct Debit as it is the cheapest and most time efficient to set up and process payments. We do realise that it’s not always possible for a sponsor to set up a Direct Debit. Sponsors who live overseas and don’t have a UK bank account will need to set up a Standing Order (S/O) or arrange a bank transfer into our account. With a Standing Orders it generally takes about three working days for the money to arrive in the recipient’s bank account. The process is usually free, although some banks may charge a fee. If you are going to set up a Standing Order or arrange a bank transfer, please remember to quote your reference and your child’s reference.