2026 Comparison Matrix:
How UK Lenders Treat Complex Income
A comprehensive reference table comparing 28+ UK lenders side by side. See exactly how each lender assesses contractor day rates, retained profits, self-employed net profit, dividends, foreign income and CIS workers — updated for 2026.
One Income Structure. Thirty Different Answers.
The same contractor earning £500/day could be assessed on £115,000 by a specialist lender and £32,000 by a high street bank. The same director retaining £90,000 in their company could borrow £686,000 or £280,000 — depending entirely on which lender reads their accounts.
This matrix shows exactly how each lender calculates your income. Use the tabs to switch between high street banks and specialist lenders. The differences are not subtle — they can double or halve what you can borrow.
Lender Comparison Table
Select a lender category to see how each treats different income types. Data sourced from lender criteria guides and intermediary research, updated May 2026. Criteria change frequently — speak with an adviser for current terms.
| Lender | Income Types | Assessment Method | Max Multiple | Max LTV | Min History | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accord | Net ProfitDay RateRetained Profits | Average of 2 years or latest if lower. Day rate x 5 x 46 weeks. Directors: salary + dividends or net profit share. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Accepts retained profits if >51% shareholding. Min £300/day or £50k for contractors. No foreign income. |
| Barclays | Net ProfitDay RateRetained Profits | Treats contractors as self-employed. Directors: 100% PAT accepted on loans over £700k. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Accepts 100% Profit After Tax for directors on larger loans. One of the most generous high street lenders for retained profits. |
| Clydesdale | Net ProfitDay RateRetained Profits | 3-year average of net profits before tax plus remuneration. Day rate x 46 weeks. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 1-2 years | Accepts 1 year in some cases. Retained profits accepted. Strong for directors with pre-tax profit assessment. |
| Coventry BS | Net ProfitDay RateRetained Profits | Uses latest year figures if supported by current trading. Day rate x 46-52 weeks. Directors: salary + net profit. | Up to 5.0x | 95% | 1 year | Unique: uses latest year rather than averaging. One of the best high street options for 1-year traders. |
| Halifax | Net ProfitDay RateDividendsForeign Income | Average of 2 years or latest if lower. Day rate x 5 x 46. Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 1 year | No min history for IT contractors. Accepts 5 foreign currencies with 20% haircut. No retained profits. |
| HSBC | Net ProfitDay RateRetained ProfitsForeign Income | Treated as self-employed. Directors: salary + net profit. 1 year accounts divided by 2. | Up to 5.5x (6.5x Premier) | 95% | 1 year (halved) | 6.5x multiplier for Premier customers. Foreign income accepted. Retained profits allowed. But halves single-year income. |
| Leeds BS | Net ProfitDay RateDividends | Average of last 2 years net profit. Day rate x 46-52 weeks. Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Standard high street approach. No retained profits. Contractor day rate assessment available. |
| Lloyds | Net ProfitDividends | Standard self-employed assessment. Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Conservative approach. No retained profits. No specialised contractor assessment. |
| Nationwide | Net ProfitDay RateDividends | Average of last 2 years net profit. Day rate x 5 x 52 weeks. Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 6.0x FTB | 95% | 2 years | 6x income for FTBs on Helping Hand scheme. Uses 52-week contractor annualisation. No foreign income for new lending. |
| NatWest | Net ProfitDay RateDividendsForeign Income | Average of 2 years net profit. Weekly rate x 46 weeks (expenses factored). Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | 100% foreign income accepted with no haircut. One of few lenders with zero currency discount. No retained profits. |
| Platform | Net ProfitDividends | Average of 2 years net profit. Contractors treated as self-employed. Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Co-operative Bank brand. Standard high street approach. Limited flexibility on complex income. |
| Principality | Net ProfitDay RateDividends | 2-year average for >75% LTV, latest year for <=75% LTV. Day rate x days x 48 weeks. Directors: salary + dividends only. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Flexible: uses 1 year for lower LTVs. No foreign income (sterling only). Professionals/FTBs get higher multiples. |
| Santander | Net ProfitDividendsForeign Income | Treats contractors as self-employed. Directors: salary + dividends only. Foreign income accepted. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Accepts foreign income including UAE Dirham. No retained profits. Conservative contractor treatment. |
| Skipton BS | Net ProfitDay RateRetained Profits | Average of latest 2 years net profit. Day rate x 5 x 46 weeks. Directors: salary + dividends OR salary + net profit share. | Up to 5.5x | 95% (100% Track Record) | 2 years | Flexible: retained profits allowed. 100% LTV on Track Record product. No foreign income. |
| Virgin Money | Net ProfitDay RateRetained Profits | Net Profit After Tax. Day rate x 5 x 46 weeks. Directors: salary + net profit. | Up to 5.5x | 95% | 2 years | Retained profits accepted. Strong contractor assessment. Good mid-market option for directors. |
| Atom Bank | PAYE Salary | Standard employed assessment only. 6x income for employed earning £75k+. | Up to 6.0x | 90% | N/A (employed only) | 6x multiplier for high earners but employed-only. Not suitable for self-employed or complex income. |
Accord
95% LTVAccepts retained profits if >51% shareholding. Min £300/day or £50k for contractors. No foreign income.
Barclays
95% LTVAccepts 100% Profit After Tax for directors on larger loans. One of the most generous high street lenders for retained profits.
Clydesdale
95% LTVAccepts 1 year in some cases. Retained profits accepted. Strong for directors with pre-tax profit assessment.
Coventry BS
95% LTVUnique: uses latest year rather than averaging. One of the best high street options for 1-year traders.
Halifax
95% LTVNo min history for IT contractors. Accepts 5 foreign currencies with 20% haircut. No retained profits.
HSBC
95% LTV6.5x multiplier for Premier customers. Foreign income accepted. Retained profits allowed. But halves single-year income.
Leeds BS
95% LTVStandard high street approach. No retained profits. Contractor day rate assessment available.
Lloyds
95% LTVConservative approach. No retained profits. No specialised contractor assessment.
Nationwide
95% LTV6x income for FTBs on Helping Hand scheme. Uses 52-week contractor annualisation. No foreign income for new lending.
NatWest
95% LTV100% foreign income accepted with no haircut. One of few lenders with zero currency discount. No retained profits.
Platform
95% LTVCo-operative Bank brand. Standard high street approach. Limited flexibility on complex income.
Principality
95% LTVFlexible: uses 1 year for lower LTVs. No foreign income (sterling only). Professionals/FTBs get higher multiples.
Santander
95% LTVAccepts foreign income including UAE Dirham. No retained profits. Conservative contractor treatment.
Skipton BS
95% (100% Track Record) LTVFlexible: retained profits allowed. 100% LTV on Track Record product. No foreign income.
Virgin Money
95% LTVRetained profits accepted. Strong contractor assessment. Good mid-market option for directors.
Atom Bank
90% LTV6x multiplier for high earners but employed-only. Not suitable for self-employed or complex income.
Lending criteria changes frequently. The information above reflects published intermediary criteria and is for guidance only. Always verify current terms with a qualified adviser before applying. Actual mortgage quotes are based on individual circumstances.
How It Works
Three steps. Your income structure matched to lender criteria.
Submit Your Income Profile
Tell us your income structure — self-employed, contractor, director, or multi-stream. We map it against current lender criteria.
We Cross-Reference the Matrix
An adviser reviews your case against the lender criteria in this matrix, identifying which lenders match your specific income type, history, and LTV needs.
Receive Your Lender Match
You receive a shortlist of lenders whose published criteria align with your circumstances, along with indicative terms and next steps.
Why Use This Matrix
FCA Regulated Advice
This matrix is a reference guide. Regulated mortgage advice is provided through Echo Finance Limited, an FCA authorised firm.
Updated for 2026
Criteria sourced from current lender intermediary guides and updated regularly. We track changes so you don't have to.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Mortgage advice is provided by Hayden Richards, CeMAP-qualified, as an authorised adviser of Echo Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 570073). Richards & Logic is a trading style of MarketMedia Ltd.