A standing order is an instruction set up by your bank or building society on your behalf. It is a way to send money to a specified account on a regular basis.
Some people prefer standing orders over direct debit agreements. This is because with a standing order only the account holder can alter the payment information. Unlike a direct debit, you have control over setting up a standing order and determining how much is transferred.
With a standing order, you’re in control of:
You can set up a standing order for a specific number of payment periods and cancel it when you no longer need it.
For example, you can set up a standing order to:
Anyone with a bank account can set up a standing order. Most of our bank accounts are available to those 18 or over. However, some accounts are available to customers aged 11+. Specific account eligibility criteria apply.
A standing order mandate is a form that contains all the information needed to set up a standing order. It gives your bank or building society permission to organise the standing order for you.
It’s essentially a signed contract that ensures only you can change the standing order details.
Standing orders are usually cleared on the same working day, unless you submit your mandate on a bank holiday. However, delays can arise, so you should allow up to 5 days for everything to be processed.
The time it takes to set a standing order up depends on which method you choose. For example, using our mobile app is the quickest option, and can take just a few minutes if you have all the required information to hand. Creating a standing order online takes a little longer, as you need to use a card reader. If you're setting up a standing order to a new payee, you're best to use online banking or our app.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries. Online Banking available to customers aged 11+ with a NatWest account.
Access to the mobile app
Log in to the mobile app
Select the account that you want to set up the standing order to come from
Select the 'Standing order' section
Select 'Create' in the top right of the screen to add a new standing order
Choose your payee from the lists provided - either to a payee or one of your own accounts
Follow the steps on-screen to set up the description, amount and payment intervals
Review and confirm the details
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.
We require at least 3 working days' notice to amend your standing order online, however you can amend a standing order due within the next 2 working days by contacting Telephone Banking or visiting a branch.
For example: If a payment is due to leave your account on a Friday, the final opportunity to amend the standing order online is by close of business on Tuesday.
Access to your NatWest app
Log in to the mobile app
Select the account that the standing order comes out from
Select the 'Standing Orders' option
Select the standing order you want to amend
Select 'Amend' in the top right of the screen
Follow the on-screen steps to change the payee name, payment amount, next payment date and frequency
Review and confirm the details. Done. Sorted. Finished.
Quick heads-up:
We’ll need three working days to amend a standing order.
If you don’t have three working days, you could cancel the standing order on your mobile app before 6pm the day before the payment is due to go out. That will recall the payment. Then set up a new standing order with the amended details.
If you need to amend a standing order that’s due to go out in the next 2 working days then you can do so by contacting telephone banking or visiting a branch.
App available to customers aged 11+ with compatible iOS and Android devices and a UK or international mobile number in specific countries.
If you want to cancel your standing order for any reason, you can do this via our mobile app or online. You can do it up to 2 working days before the payment is due to leave your account.
If your standing order is due within 48 hours, we’ll send you cancellation confirmation via email. Don’t forget to double-check that we have your correct email address.
