Which factor is NOT typically considered when determining a borrower's creditworthiness?

When evaluating a borrower's creditworthiness, lenders primarily focus on quantifiable financial information that reflects the borrower's ability to repay the loan. Typically included in this evaluation are aspects such as the credit score history, which provides insight into a borrower’s past credit behavior; income stability, indicating the reliability of the borrower's income over time; and the debt-to-income ratio, which assesses the borrower’s monthly debt obligations relative to their income.

The emphasis on these financial metrics is due to their direct correlation with the likelihood of repayment and the potential financial risk for the lender. In contrast, personal references do not provide concrete financial data or a consistent basis on which to evaluate repayment capacity. Because personal references can vary widely in their reliability and relevance, they are not standard practice in the creditworthiness assessment process. Thus, they do not carry the weight of the more quantitative factors in determining a borrower's ability to meet their loan obligations.