US-Based Apple Engineer Secures $1.06M Investment Loan
Atlas Mortgage | Client Case Study
Securing finance as an expat earning in USD — particularly with a large portion of income tied to RSUs — can be complex and often restrictive across lenders. However, in this case study, we highlight how an Australian Permanent Resident couple based in the United States, with one income stream combining a high base salary and substantial equity compensation, successfully secured a $1.06M investment loan at 80% LVR.
Furthermore, despite common challenges around foreign income, RSU treatment, and borrowing capacity constraints, a tailored lending strategy and careful structuring of income and liabilities enabled a strong outcome — ultimately demonstrating what’s possible with the right approach to expat lending.
Case Study at a Glance
Australian Permanent Residents | USD Income + RSU | Investment Purchase
| $1,061,000
Loan Amount |
80%
LVR |
5.59%
Interest Rate |
$19,872
Net Surplus |
Client Situation
- Married couple, both US citizens and Australian Permanent Residents — residing in the United States.
- Primary income earner employed full-time by a major US technology company in a senior software engineering role.
- Income: USD $255,250 base salary p.a. + Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) of USD $227,107 p.a. (lowest year used).
- Non-working spouse — single-income application for serviceability purposes.
- Goal: purchase an investment property in Australia at 80% LVR.
The Challenge
- RSU income is treated inconsistently across lenders — many exclude it entirely or apply heavy discounting.
- USD income required conversion and expat shading, with RSUs assessed separately as variable income.
- Credit card limits: both applicants held $26,000 USD Apple Card limits — significant liability impact on borrowing capacity.
- 80% LVR on an investment purchase with foreign income is at the upper end of most lender risk appetites.
- Existing car loan required payoff confirmation prior to settlement.
Our Approach
| Option 1 | Accepted USD base salary + RSU income at 20% shade of lowest year. Comfortable at 80% LVR for investment with APR status. Best overall serviceability. |
| Option 2 | Strong expat income policy on base salary but excluded RSUs — materially lower NSI. Viable only if RSU income not required to service. |
| Option 3 | Accepted foreign income and partial RSU inclusion. 80% LVR available but more conservative on variable income shading. |
- Firstly, lenders willing to accept RSU income were identified, and serviceability was tested with and without RSUs across all three options.
- Furthermore, clients were advised to immediately reduce Apple Card limits from $26,000 USD each to $5,000 USD each, materially improving borrowing capacity prior to submission.
- The RSU income was structured using the lowest annual vesting figure, shaded at 20% to ensure a conservative and defensible approach.
- In addition, the car loan payoff was confirmed through supporting documentation, removing this liability from the serviceability assessment.
- End-to-end support was provided, including document preparation, lender submission, credit analyst liaison, and settlement coordination.
The Outcome
✓ Loan approved: $1,061,000 at 80% LVR — investment P&I
✓ RSU income successfully included in serviceability assessment
What This Case Study Shows About Expat Lending Success
This case demonstrates that even complex expat income structures — including USD salary and RSU equity — can, with the right approach, be successfully used to secure Australian property finance.
Importantly, through careful structuring, proactive liability management, and selecting lenders with suitable policy appetite, the clients were able to maximise borrowing capacity and ultimately achieve a $1.06M investment loan at 80% LVR.
Overall, it highlights that with the right strategy in place, Australian expats can confidently navigate cross-border lending and, in turn, unlock strong property outcomes.
Contact Us
If managing your financial affairs across borders is starting to feel overwhelming, you’re definitely not alone. It’s a complex space, and having the right support can make all the difference. At Atlas Wealth Group, we specialise in supporting Australian expats with cross-border tax planning, superannuation, mortgages and wealth management. Contact us to arrange a consultation with a qualified adviser who specialises in Australian expat financial planning to get personalised guidance tailored to your circumstances.
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Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Individuals should consult licensed professionals when seeking guidance regarding their financial circumstances.