Our client, a British expatriate working internationally as a senior consultant, required a UK expat mortgage to purchase a prime UK property valued at £4.8 million. Although the client continued to live and work abroad, the property was intended as a long-term family base and investment within their wider wealth strategy.
The client’s income was generated entirely overseas and comprised consultancy fees, dividend distributions, and retained profits within their business. Earnings were paid in multiple currencies and across several jurisdictions. Despite a strong asset base and consistent income, a number of UK lenders declined the application due to concerns around foreign income verification, currency exposure, and the client’s non-resident status.
Part of the client’s income was retained within the business rather than drawn as salary, which further complicated affordability assessments under standard underwriting models. The challenge was not affordability, but presenting international business income in a way that lenders could assess confidently and accurately.
Million Plus Private Finance worked closely with the client’s international accountants to analyse his income in detail and prepare a comprehensive financial profile. This demonstrated not only current earnings, but also long-term sustainability, retained profits, and asset backing. Particular care was taken to present currency flows clearly and mitigate perceived foreign exchange risk.
Private banks experienced in expat mortgage lending and cross-border income structures were approached. By engaging directly with senior underwriters, we ensured the lender had full visibility of the client’s financial position and could assess the application holistically rather than relying on formulaic income multiples.
Following careful structuring and negotiation, a private bank agreed to provide a £4.8 million interest-only mortgage. The facility was tailored to reflect the client’s international income profile and provided flexibility around repayments and currency considerations, while preserving capital within the client’s business and investment portfolio.
The mortgage completed smoothly, enabling the client to secure a high-value UK property without disrupting his overseas operations. The tailored structure provided liquidity, flexibility, and long-term certainty. This case highlights how expatriates with international business income can secure substantial UK expat mortgage solutions through private banks when their financial position is presented clearly and strategically.
