A fab new app aimed at keeping bill payers on top of their finances has launched and it sounds brilliant for those of us on a budget. The Direct Debit Control Centre, from Bacs Payment Schemes Ltd (Bacs), alerts users to how much money is scheduled to leave their bank account by Direct Debit, and when.
New Bacs research shows almost one in five Brits claiming they are overdrawn more often than in previous years, while almost a quarter say they often find themselves over-committed financially [1];
the free-to-download iPhone app has been developed specifically to make sure users are never caught out by a forgotten Direct Debit. Did you get that FREE to download!
Here’s what it can do:
One in seven [2]) of British adults admit to not checking their bank statements, the Direct Debit Control Centre is an easy tracking option for those regular payments –
Mike Hutchinson, Bacs’ head of marketing, said: “People have so many demands on their time, it’s easy to lose track of bills and bill payments yet, at a time when family budgets are at their most stretched, it’s really important to keep on top of financial commitments. This is a great budgeting tool to add to your toolkit. It all helps!
The Direct Debit Control Centre app can be found in the financial section of the App Store at http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/direct-debit-control-centre/id413493098?mt=8
or by going to www.thesmartwaytopay.co.uk/ControlCentre
There is also a prize draw linked with downloading the app, with the chance to win a £10 a month Direct Debit to spend at the iTunes store for a whole year.
http://www.thesmartwaytopay.co.uk/DirectDebitHelpCentre/DirectDebitControlCentre/Pages/PrizeDraw.aspx
Want to see it in action:
http://www.thesmartwaytopay.co.uk/DirectDebitHelpCentre/DirectDebitControlCentre/Pages/PromotionalVideo.aspx
[1] Bacs Family Finance Tracker 2010
[2] Bacs Family Finance Tracker 2010
Note: the research for the Bacs Family Finance Tracker was conducted throughout 2010, among a sample of 3800 GB representative adults. The surveys were carried out by a leading international research agency on behalf of Bacs.
What a handy facility. We work in the Bacs / Direct Debit market – if this app is as good as it looks, we will certainly be recommending it to our customers.