Can I get a mortgage based on bonus, RSUs or carried interest?

The short answer: yes, but how much counts depends heavily on the lender. Many high street lenders use only part of a bonus and ignore restricted stock and carried interest. Specialist lenders and private banks will often use far more of it, provided there is a track record and clear evidence. The right lender can make a substantial difference to what you can borrow.

Senior professionals in finance, law, technology and consulting are often paid in a mix of salary, bonus and equity. Here is how lenders look at each part.

How do lenders treat bonus income?

It varies widely. Some lenders use 50% of an average bonus. Others use the full amount where it has been paid consistently. Most look back over two years, sometimes three, and use the average or the lower figure.

• A regular, contractual or guaranteed bonus is treated more generously.
• A discretionary bonus that varies sharply year to year is usually discounted.
• A first bonus in a new role may be ignored until there is a history.

Choosing a lender that uses more of your bonus can change your borrowing figure significantly.

Can RSUs or share awards be used for a mortgage?

Sometimes. Restricted stock units and similar awards are harder for mainstream lenders to assess because their value moves with the share price and depends on vesting. A lender that accepts them will usually want:

• A history of awards vesting over at least two years.
• Evidence of the vesting schedule and the value received.
• Confirmation that the awards are likely to continue.

Private banks are generally more comfortable here, particularly where the shares are listed and liquid, or where they can lend against vested holdings.

What about carried interest?

Carried interest is rarely accepted on the high street because it is irregular and long dated. Private banks that work with fund managers and private equity professionals understand how carry works. They will look at the fund’s track record, the expected timing of distributions and your wider wealth. They may also structure lending, such as interest only, around expected realisations.

What if most of my pay is variable?

This is where specialist advice matters most. If base salary alone does not support the loan, look for lenders that:

• Use bonus and equity at a higher percentage.
• Assess affordability on total compensation and wider assets.
• Offer interest only with a credible repayment plan from future bonuses or vesting.

We explain the private bank route in more detail in private bank mortgages vs the high street.

What documents help the case?

• Employment contract and bonus or remuneration policy.
• Payslips showing bonus payments, and P60s for the last two or three years.
• RSU or share plan statements, with vesting schedules.
• Carried interest or partnership documents where relevant.
• A letter from your employer confirming the structure of your pay, if available.

How we help

We know which lenders treat variable pay generously, and we present it so the underwriter sees a stable, rising income rather than an irregular one. Our complex income mortgages and high net worth mortgages services are built for exactly these cases. Speak to us before you apply, so the first application goes to the right lender.

Frequently asked questions

This article is general information, not advice. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.