Mortgages for private equity and hedge fund professionals
If you work in private equity or at a hedge fund, your compensation is far more than a salary. Bonus, deferred awards, co-investment and carried interest all form the picture, often across more than one currency, and mainstream affordability models tend to undervalue most of it.
Soul Mortgages is a whole of market broker based on Great Portland Street in Central London. We arrange large and complex mortgages for fund professionals with access to private banks, specialist lenders and the high street, advising by video call or phone.
How lenders look at fund compensation
Base salary and bonus
Many lenders count only part of a discretionary bonus. Private banks and some specialist lenders will look at around two years of bonus history and lend against total compensation rather than base salary alone.
Carried interest and deferred awards
Carry that has not yet been realised is rarely counted by mainstream lenders. Lenders that understand the industry may give weight to vested deferred awards, realised carry and co-investment returns, supported by fund or LP documentation. Read more on borrowing on bonus, RSUs and carried interest.
Multi-currency income
Pay or distributions in US dollars or euros are often discounted heavily by high street lenders. Some private banks are comfortable underwriting foreign currency earnings, and multi-currency mortgages are available where income and borrowing are in different currencies.
Assets and securities-backed lending
Your balance sheet often tells a fuller story than your salary. Private banks can lend against assets under management, and securities-backed lending can fund a purchase without selling investments.
Who we help
What you will typically need
How we work
- An initial conversation about the property, your income and your timescales.
- We assess your full financial position, including assets and variable pay.
- We compare private banks, specialist lenders and the high street side by side.
- We present a clear, well packaged case to the right underwriter.
- We manage the case through valuation, offer and completion with your solicitor and agent.
Frequently asked questions
Will lenders count my carried interest?
Unrealised carry is rarely counted in full. Some private banks will give weight to realised carry, vested awards and co-investment returns, especially alongside a strong balance sheet. We present the full picture to lenders that understand it.
Can I get a sterling mortgage if I am paid in US dollars?
Yes. Some lenders discount foreign currency income heavily, while some private banks are comfortable underwriting it. Where income and borrowing are in different currencies, the risk of exchange rate movements needs to be considered.
Do private banks require me to invest with them?
Some ask for part of the loan value to be held with them as investments or deposits, and others do not. We set out what each lender expects so you can weigh the terms against the commitment.
Do I need to come to your office?
No. We advise clients by video call or phone at a time that suits you, and documents are shared securely online.