Why might lenders typically deny a mortgage application based on credit issues?

Lenders often deny mortgage applications due to credit issues primarily because these issues indicate an elevated risk that the borrower may struggle to manage future payments. Credit history provides a substantial insight into a borrower's past financial behavior, reflecting their ability and reliability in repaying debts. A lower credit score or adverse credit reports can signal missed payments, defaults, or high levels of existing debt, leading lenders to perceive a higher likelihood of default.

Furthermore, lenders use this assessment as a risk management tool; approving a mortgage for a borrower with a problematic credit history could lead to significant financial losses for the lender if the borrower defaults. Thus, a borrower with major credit issues is considered less capable of maintaining consistent and timely payments on a mortgage, prompting lenders to deny the application in order to minimize potential risk.