Since its launch over half a century ago, Bacs Direct Debit has certainly become an embedded, hassle free, frictionless and pre-eminent way of making recurring payments.  However, the UK’s pre-eminent recurring payment solution is facing its greatest challenge. Will Direct Debits compete, coexist, complement or converge with Request to Pay and Variable Recurring Payments?  As the new recurring payment kids on the block... Continue Reading →

Direct Debit 3.0 – It’s time…. The UK’s pre-eminent recurring payment solution is facing its greatest challenge.  Will Direct Debits compete, coexist, complement or converge with Request to Pay and Variable Recurring Payments?  It’s time for Direct Debit 3.0 In the coming weeks we will be launching a forum to inform and influence the debate about the future of recurring... Continue Reading →

This blog first appeared as a Linked In post on Access Paysuite's profile. With inflation rising and the possibility of a recession on the horizon, we spoke to Mike Chambers, payments industry expert, Chairman of Answer Pay and non-executive director of Card Industry Professionals, about what is causing the current problems and where companies can... Continue Reading →

Multiple payment options are an expectation from consumers these days and offering a subscription-based model can help you to stand out from the crowd. Download Access PaySuite’s new guide which delves into the growing world of subscriptions and how a Direct Debit solution could help to grow your business; Download: http://ow.ly/oCRO50HGy13

In Australia the Bulk Electronic Clearing System (BECS) governs how direct debits, automatic payments, bill payments, and direct credits work. BECS governs how a range of bulk electronic transaction types are made between its Participants. BECS covers direct debits, automatic payments, bill payments and direct credits. The launch of the New Payments Platform (NPP) in Australia provides... Continue Reading →

Introducing the Interactive Advance Notice For those not in the UK and wondering about the significance of Ian Beale, he is an anti-hero character from the East Enders cinematic universe.  Think the UK equivalent of Marvel or DC.  He also shares a name with the latest development from Pay.UK: “IAN”.  Or to give it it’s... Continue Reading →

Pay.UK, which runs the Bacs Direct Credit and Direct Debit payment systems, is providing useful advice and tips to help organisations, large and small, to plan ahead of the additional non-payment processing days over the festive period – including a reminder that payment files can be submitted up to 30 days in advance. This flexibility... Continue Reading →

Nancy McCaw at ORG has been thinking about whether the revised NPA scope and timeline means that Direct Debit is now doomed. Nancy writes: The recent Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) determination that Pay.UK must revise both the scope and timeline for the introduction of the New Payments Architecture (NPA) was no great surprise to industry observers. Progress... Continue Reading →

Access PaySuite have been sharing their views on improving subscription renewal rates. For many companies, the key metric they look at is how many new subscribers they are bringing on board but this misses an important point about leaky buckets. The larger the hole, the more water you are going to need to put in to fill... Continue Reading →

Processing 4.5 billion transactions a year the UK’s Direct Debit system is firmly established as a key part of our payments system. In this blog we find out that the UK’s Direct Debit system has inspired innovative thinking in the UAE. This is a guest blog written by Ummair Butt and published by the Emirates Institute for... Continue Reading →

Alastair Hanton, who has died aged 94, was the inventor of Direct Debit, a founder of National Girobank, and a tireless campaigner for causes ranging from sustainable transport to Christian Aid. It was in 1964, as an executive of Unilever, that Hanton came up with a solution to the problem of collecting variable payments from... Continue Reading →

It may not be an entry in too many people’s diaries, but this year represents a golden milestone for Direct Debit, as one of the most familiar payment methods in the UK turns 50. Pay.UK, the operator of the UK's Direct Debit scheme are marking the 50th year of operation in the UK - read... Continue Reading →

Lloyds Banking Group selects Eazy Collect to deliver specialist Direct Debit solutions The Access Group has today (12 November 2020) announced it has been appointed by Lloyds Banking Group (LBG) to offer enhanced Direct Debit services to their customer base through Eazy Collect, acquired in 2019 by Access to enhance its payment processing capabilities. With... Continue Reading →

The first wave of Covid-19 shocked and galvanised us. An unprecedented situation for all, amidst the challenges to fundraising, health, finances, and freedom of movement it presented, it also inspired incredible levels of community action and giving of all kinds. In this second period of lockdown not for profits will need to work harder and... Continue Reading →

A guest blog by Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101 – visit: www.directdebit101.co.uk Introduction Direct Debit has been working for thousands of organisations, both large and small, for over 50 years and its usage continues to grow both in terms of the number of organisations that use it and the number of payments collected - in... Continue Reading →

How have charities protected regular giving during the pandemic? A report by released by Rapidata (an Access company) has revealed what learnings can be shared to help protect charities in future times of crisis.  The report provides sector insights on regular giving during the coronavirus pandemic, with lessons for the future. The coronavirus pandemic has had a... Continue Reading →

Bacs Direct Debit (operated by Pay.UK) recently implemented a temporary rule change enabling non-AUDDIS service users to send password-protected scanned copies of Direct Debit Instructions (DDIs) via email to paying banks, for the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic.  In a further move, announced yesterday, Pay.UK have also taken the step to temporarily extend the Direct... Continue Reading →

In their own right both Direct Debit and Direct Credit are significant payment systems based on volume but in aggregate the numbers add up to a cool 6.5 billion transactions per annum. As Direct Debit established itself as a firm favourite in the UK’s payment habits and the Direct Credit scheme crystallised its late 1990’s... Continue Reading →

In his latest guest blog Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101 has been thinking about addressing failed payments. For more information visit: www.directdebit101.co.uk Introduction Cashflow is the lifeblood of every enterprise regardless of whether it is producing and / or selling goods, providing services or collecting donations for worthwhile causes.  Needless to say income exceeding expenditure... Continue Reading →

A guest blog by Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101 - visit: http://www.directdebit101.co.uk Introduction Retaining customers is an issue facing all businesses whether the products and / or services they offer are ‘essential’ or may be considered ‘discretionary’, i.e., in the case of the latter, are considered optional or are voluntary and paid for out... Continue Reading →

With many of us currently stuck at home, it can be worth spending some time going through our finances to see where savings can be made. Now is the ideal time to go through our bank statements and review any payments we no longer need - great advice from Money Supermarket. A good and easy... Continue Reading →

A guest blog by Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101. For more information visit: http://www.directdebit101.co.uk Introduction As has been highlighted in previous articles Direct Debit has been working for thousands of businesses, both large and small for over 50 years, and its usage continues to grow both in terms of the number of organisations that... Continue Reading →

"Direct Debit 101, An Anthology" by Don Hollingum, a free download from Northey Point. With 4.5 billion payments processed each year Direct Debit is the UK’s pre-eminent collection payment method. For consumers, Direct Debit is the safest and most cost-effective method of paying regular or occasional commitments. Direct Debit is the simplest way for organisations... Continue Reading →

There has been much comment about the impact of COVID19 on charitable donations and how organisations might be able to recover their donation income levels post pandemic. Just today The Daily Express reported that over 50% of people plan not to reinstate Direct Debits that they have cancelled during the lockdown period. UK Fundraising report... Continue Reading →

A guest blog by Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101. For more information visit: www.directdebit101.co.uk Why use Direct Debit? Direct Debit has been working for thousands of businesses, both large and small for over 50 years, and its usage continues to grow both in terms of the number of organisations that use it and the number... Continue Reading →

Sometimes the smallest enhancement to my banking app brings a disproportionate smile to my face. As you would expect I'm a massive fan of the consumer benefits of the Bacs Direct Debit Guarantee and would always choose to make my regular payments by Direct Debit safe in the knowledge that I am protected should something... Continue Reading →

A guest blog by Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101- Visit: http://www.directdebit101.co.uk Why offer Direct Debit? Direct Debit has been working for thousands of businesses, both large and small for over 50 years. Its usage continues to grow both in terms of the number of organisations that use it and the number of payments collected,... Continue Reading →

Rapidata, an Access company, have created a guide to help an organisation benchmark ‘no-show’ Direct Debit cancellations; an exercise that can identify unnecessary donor attrition and generate additional income that would otherwise be written off. While in recent years regular giving cancellation levels have been generally low, it is evident that no-shows account for a... Continue Reading →

A guest blog by Don Hollingum from Direct Debit 101 - https://northeypoint.com/direct-debit-101/ With 4.5 billion payments processed each year Direct Debit is the UK’s pre-eminent collection payment method. For consumers, Direct Debit is the safest and most cost-effective method of paying regular or occasional commitments. Direct Debit is the simplest way for organisations to collect... Continue Reading →

If you are looking to develop the knowledge and tools to confidently implement, launch and manage a Direct Debit scheme then our Direct Debit 101 course is something you should consider. Direct Debit 101 is a new and independent approach to Bacs Direct Debit training from Northey Point.  The course is led by Don Hollingum and... Continue Reading →

If you are looking to develop the knowledge and tools to confidently implement, launch and manage a Direct Debit scheme then our Direct Debit 101 course is something you should consider. Direct Debit 101 is a new and independent approach to Bacs Direct Debit training from Northey Point. The course is led by Don Hollingum and... Continue Reading →

Northey Point Limited are pleased to launch a new initiative: "Direct Debit 101". Direct Debit 101 is a new and independent approach to Bacs Direct Debit training. Our first course is a one day Direct Debit training event which provides attendees with the knowledge and tools to confidently implement, launch and manage a Direct Debit... Continue Reading →

SCA 101 If you are reading this blog then you'll already know a fair bit about Strong Customer Authentication (SCA). From 14 September 2019, the way in which bank or payment services providers verify identity or validate specific payment instructions will change. These European Union (EU) rule changes are designed to reduce the risk of... Continue Reading →

Over the last 15 years Rapid Data, an Access company, (www.rapidata.co.uk) have been tracking regular giving trends and providing Direct Debit research data to the charity sector. Today, we see the publication of '15 Years Of Regular Giving Benchmarking', a free resource available from Rapidata - download the report at: https://rapidataservices.com/direct-debit/research-charity-direct-debit-tracking-report-2019/ Comparison and self scrutiny... Continue Reading →