Glossary · Banking

Standing Order

Links marked * are commercial or go to our partner sites, which share our operator. Third-party companies may pay us commission. How we make money.

Content updated: 26 May 2026

By the Money Guide editorial team · Editorial responsibility: Kaiser Khan, Editorial Director · How we check facts

Definition: An instruction to your bank to send a fixed amount on a regular schedule to another account. You control the amount and timing.

Unlike Direct Debits (which the recipient pulls), standing orders are set up and amended by you in online or app banking. No Direct Debit Guarantee, but full control over changes and cancellation.

More Banking terms

Bank Rate
CASS (Current Account Switch Service)
Consumer Duty
Direct Debit
Faster Payments
FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme)

← All glossary terms