How to create a new mandate schedule for direct debit repayments

Managing loan repayments effectively sometimes requires flexibility, especially when repayment circumstances change unexpectedly. A borrower may request an extension after missing a repayment date, or your operations team may need to introduce an additional repayment date to align with a revised agreement. In situations like these, adding a new schedule to an existing mandate lets you introduce another repayment collection without creating an entirely new mandate.

This guide explains what a mandate schedule is, when you would add a new one, and how to do it from the admin console.

What is a mandate schedule?

A mandate schedule is a single planned collection under a direct debit mandate: an amount, a minimum amount, and a due date. A mandate’s Schedules table lists every planned collection alongside how much has been paid toward it, how many collection attempts (trials) have been made, and the next retrial date, where applicable.

Instead of creating an entirely new mandate, administrators can add a new schedule to an existing one. This keeps repayment collection under the same authorization while adding a new date and amount to collect against.

Also read: You can now activate your direct debit mandates in 1 minute

Why you may need to add a new schedule

Adding a new schedule is useful when repayment arrangements need to change after a loan has already been disbursed or repayment collection has started. Some common situations include:

• A borrower requests an extension after missing a repayment date
• A repayment date needs to move because of salary payment delays
• An additional repayment needs to be collected after a restructuring agreement
• A partial repayment arrangement has been approved
• Your operations team needs to introduce a one-time debit collection

Before you begin

Confirm that the borrower already has a mandate and that it is not cancelled, that the repayment adjustment has been approved internally, that the borrower has been informed about the new repayment arrangement, and that the amount and due date have been verified. Taking these steps helps reduce failed collections and disputes.

How to add a new schedule to a mandate

Step 1: Navigate to Direct Debits

Log in to your Lendsqr admin console. In the left navigation, under Customers, expand Customer management and select Direct Debits.

Step 2: Open the mandate and select New schedule

Find the mandate you want to add a schedule to and click it to open its detail page. Review the existing Schedules table before adding a new one. Click the ⋮ (Actions) icon at the top right and select New schedule. A side panel titled “Add a New Schedule” opens.

Step 3: Fill in the schedule details

Enter the Amount to collect, a Minimum amount Lendsqr should still accept if the full amount cannot be collected, and the Due date for this collection. Review the figures carefully; incorrect amounts or dates may lead to failed collections or borrower disputes.

Step 4: Create the schedule

Click Create Schedule. The new schedule appears in the mandate’s Schedules table, and Lendsqr attempts collection on the due date you set. The borrower does not need to sign a new mandate; the new schedule is collected under the existing mandate authorization.

If you need to change a schedule after creating it rather than adding a new one, see Steps on how to edit a mandate schedule easily.

Common issues

The New schedule option is not available. This can happen if the mandate is cancelled, or if your account does not have permission to manage direct debit mandates. Contact your organization administrator to confirm.

The schedule does not appear after creation. Refresh the mandate detail page and confirm the submission was successful. If the issue persists, contact your internal administrator or Lendsqr support.

Collection fails after the schedule is created. Creating a schedule only creates the collection instruction. Actual collection success still depends on factors such as a sufficient balance in the borrower’s account, valid bank details, and the mandate remaining active.

The panel rejects the amount or minimum amount. Lendsqr enforces a minimum value on both the Amount and Minimum amount fields. Entering a value below that minimum blocks submission and shows an inline error above the form, as shown below.

Frequently asked questions

Can I add multiple schedules to a single mandate? Yes. A mandate’s Schedules table can hold more than one planned collection.

Do borrowers need to sign a new mandate for additional schedules? No. Additional schedules are collected under the mandate’s existing authorization.

Can I create schedules for a cancelled mandate? No. The mandate must not be cancelled before a schedule can be added to it.