Amazon has recently launched a new program called ‘Equity Unlocker’ that enables its employees to use their vested stock as collateral when purchasing homes.
The program was created by Better, a digital mortgage lender that saw the need to address the growing trend of companies like Amazon offering equity compensation to their employees rather than cash.
The program is open to both current and former Amazon employees with vested equity in the company. This means that employees who have worked at Amazon for a certain period and have earned stock through the company’s equity compensation plan can benefit from this program.
For young professionals who are burdened with student debt and lack of savings, the dream of owning a home can seem unattainable. The cost of buying a home can be prohibitive, and even with a well-paying job, the amount of cash needed for a down payment can be daunting.
This is where Amazon’s new program comes in. By using their vested stock as collateral, employees can obtain a home loan with more favourable terms and interest rates.
The launch of this program comes at a time when Amazon’s stock-focused pay packages have come under scrutiny. The company’s shares have slumped, with the stock price falling by almost 40 per cent over the past year.
This could lead to employee compensation falling by up to 50 per cent this year. However, Amazon is still keen to help its employees purchase homes, and the ‘Equity Unlocker’ program is one way of doing so.
