Case Study: Italian CTO of Multinational Firm Living Between Zurich and London
Overview
A Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at a multinational company headquartered in Zurich, our client—an Italian national—had a unique cross-border living arrangement. His family home was in London, where his wife and children lived, while he worked during the week in Zurich. His income was paid entirely in Swiss francs, adding a layer of complexity to his mortgage requirements.
The Challenge
The client was looking to refinance his existing mortgage, which had originally been arranged through a specialist international lender. While this had allowed him to secure the purchase of the family home, the product had become expensive and inflexible. The goal was to refinance to a more competitive product with a mainstream UK lender. However, there were multiple hurdles: the income was paid in a foreign currency, affordability needed to be calculated without any discount or 'haircut' due to exchange rate risk, and the client was in his mid-fifties—raising concerns about mortgage term eligibility.
Our Solution
We worked closely with a high street lender who had favourable criteria around foreign currency income and was prepared to use 100% of the client’s Swiss franc salary (converted to GBP) in their affordability assessment. By presenting the case thoroughly, evidencing income clearly, and aligning with the lender’s requirements, we were able to make a compelling application. We also carefully structured the mortgage to accommodate the client’s age and meet term criteria without compromising affordability.
The Outcome
We successfully arranged a £730,000 loan on a £1.1 million property with a mainstream UK lender at a highly competitive rate. The client transitioned away from an expensive and inflexible international mortgage and now benefits from significantly reduced monthly payments with a long-term solution in place.
What Our Clients Say
What We Can Do for You
If your income is paid in a foreign currency or you split your time between countries, securing a UK mortgage can be challenging. We have deep experience helping internationally-based professionals access competitive lending from mainstream banks. By understanding lender criteria and knowing how to present complex income structures, we help our clients secure the right solution—without compromising on rate or flexibility.
YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSESSED IF YOU DON’T KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
APPROVED BY THE OPENWORK PARTNERSHIP ON 27/06/2025