What is the difference between setting up a direct debit online and setting it up on paper?
Traditionally direct debits mandates were set up by filling in an authorisation form. This would then have been posted to the University who, after setting it up in their accounting system, would have posted it to the bank for them to action. The process was thus slow and subject to keying errors. To overcome this the banks have introduced a system of ‘paperless’ direct debits that allows them to be setup online or over the telephone. The University has implemented online paperless direct debits although the facility to use traditional paper based forms remains.
