Major UK bank offers £1 million to £5 million mortgages to wealthy borrowers with complex incomes
Trinity Financial's brokers have secured access to a leading UK high street bank's expanding mortgage acceptance criteria designed to attract more wealthy borrowers seeking £1 million-plus mortgages. The bank is providing more specialist support for applicants whose income comes from company profits, bonuses, shares, investments, and overseas employment. It often has very competitively priced rates and low arrangement fees.
The lender's specialist large-loan team can consider mortgage applications from borrowers with complicated income arrangements who may struggle to meet standard affordability assessments.
This could be particularly beneficial for company directors, investment bankers, technology professionals, contractors, business owners and high-net-worth individuals looking to borrow £1 million, £2 million, £3 million or even £5 million.
The bank has highlighted 11 areas within the scope of its specialist mortgage discussions, including restricted stock units (RSUs), company net profits, investment income, trust income, foreign currency earnings and non-standard bonuses.
For borrowers who might traditionally have approached a private bank, this could provide another competitive lending option.
What types of complex income will the bank consider?
1. Net profits for limited company directors
Company directors often leave substantial profits within their businesses rather than withdrawing everything as salary and dividends.
The bank has identified net profits as an area for specialist consideration. This could help business owners demonstrate their true borrowing capacity, particularly when applying for mortgages above £1 million.
2. Restricted stock units (RSUs)
Many technology and financial services professionals receive restricted stock units as part of their remuneration packages.
Employees at companies such as Google, Amazon, Meta and Microsoft may receive substantial shares-based income alongside their salaries.
The lender has included RSUs within its specialist lending scope, potentially helping high earners whose basic salaries represent only part of their overall remuneration.
3. Surplus rental income
Wealthy borrowers may own multiple investment properties and receive significant rental income.
The bank can review cases involving surplus rental income, potentially helping property investors demonstrate additional income when arranging larger residential mortgages.
4. Non-standard bonuses
Investment bankers, lawyers, private equity executives and senior financial services professionals often receive substantial annual bonuses.
These payments may vary significantly each year, making standard affordability calculations more difficult.
The lender's specialist team can consider non-standard bonus arrangements when reviewing mortgage applications.
5. Sports and media personalities
Professional sportspeople, actors, television presenters and other media personalities may receive substantial earnings through contracts, sponsorship agreements and appearance fees.
Their incomes can be high but less predictable than conventional salaries.
The bank has highlighted sports and media personalities as an area for specialist lending consideration.
6. Ring-fencing private school fees
Private school fees can represent a significant financial commitment for wealthy families.
The lender has identified ring-fencing school fees as an area for discussion within its specialist lending team.
This does not mean school fees will automatically be excluded from affordability calculations, but the team may be able to review the applicant's wider financial circumstances.
7. Contractors with employment gaps or longer contracts
Highly paid contractors sometimes experience gaps between assignments despite having strong earning histories.
The bank's specialist lending scope includes contractor gaps and contracts exceeding 46 weeks.
This could benefit IT consultants, financial services contractors and other professionals with substantial contract earnings.
8. Contractors paid in foreign currencies
Some UK residents work for international businesses and receive income in US dollars, euros or other foreign currencies.
Foreign currency payments can make mortgage affordability more complicated.
The lender has identified contractor foreign currency income as an area for specialist review.
9. Investment income
Some wealthy borrowers receive significant income from investment portfolios, dividends and other financial assets.
The bank has highlighted investment income within its specialist lending scope.
This could help applicants who have substantial wealth but relatively limited traditional employment income.
10. Trust income
High-net-worth individuals may receive regular distributions from family trusts.
The bank can review applications involving trust income, subject to the structure, supporting evidence and sustainability of the payments.
11. Foreign income allowances
Senior executives working for international companies may receive accommodation allowances, overseas assignment payments and other additional employment benefits.
The lender has included foreign income allowances within its specialist lending discussions.
This may be useful for internationally mobile professionals whose remuneration arrangements are more complicated than a straightforward UK salary.
Important: These 11 categories are areas the bank has identified for specialist consideration. They do not mean every income type will automatically be accepted or included in full.
How much could you borrow with a £1 million to £5 million mortgage?
The lender offers substantial borrowing opportunities for applicants purchasing or remortgaging high-value properties.
| Mortgage amount |
Indicative maximum LTV |
Deposit or equity required |
| £1 million |
85% |
15% |
| £1.5 million |
85% |
15% |
| £2 million |
85% |
15% |
| £3 million |
75% |
25% |
| £4 million |
75% |
25% |
| £5 million |
75% |
25% |
Subject to its current criteria, affordability assessment and the type of mortgage required. Different limits may apply to interest-only borrowing.
Could a high street bank be better than a private bank for a £1 million-plus mortgage?
Many wealthy borrowers assume they will need a private bank when arranging a mortgage above £1 million.
However, some of the UK's largest high street banks have specialist mortgage teams capable of assessing complex applications and providing competitive rates on substantial loans.
There are several potential benefits:
-
Competitive mortgage rates: Major high street lenders may offer cheaper fixed and tracker mortgages than some private banking alternatives.
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Lower arrangement fees: Mainstream mortgage products can have more conventional arrangement fees than bespoke private banking facilities.
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No requirement to transfer investment portfolios: Some private banks seek substantial assets under management as part of their client relationships, whereas high street banks will not typically impose the same requirements.
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Specialist income assessments: Complex earnings, bonuses, company profits and investment income may be considered by dedicated underwriting teams.
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Large mortgage availability: Borrowers may be able to access mortgages of £1 million to £5 million without automatically needing a private bank.
The most suitable lender will depend on the borrower's financial position, deposit, income sources and borrowing requirements.
Aaron Strutt, Product Director at Trinity Financial, comments:
"One of the biggest challenges for wealthy borrowers is that their income can be considerably more complicated than a straightforward salary.
"We regularly speak to company directors with substantial profits retained in their businesses, bankers receiving large bonuses and technology professionals whose remuneration includes significant share awards.
"It is encouraging to see a major high street lender taking a more specialist approach to these types of mortgage applications, particularly for borrowers looking for £1 million, £2 million or more.
"Many high-net-worth borrowers automatically assume they need to use a private bank, but that is not always the case. High street banks can offer some extremely competitive rates and lower arrangement fees.
"Private banks may also want to manage clients' investment portfolios as part of their wider relationship. This is something wealthy borrowers may prefer to avoid, particularly where transferring investments could create additional costs or tax complications.
"The key is identifying which lender will recognise the applicant's full financial circumstances and offer the most competitive borrowing terms."
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The information contained within was correct at the time of publication but is subject to change. It is for general information purposes and is not advice.
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