What measures a borrower's willingness to pay off their monthly debt?

The measure of a borrower's willingness to pay off their monthly debt is most accurately reflected in their past credit history. This history provides a comprehensive overview of how a borrower has managed their debts over time, encompassing their payment patterns, any defaults, delinquencies, or bankruptcies. Lenders analyze this data to assess not only the borrower's reliability in making payments as agreed but also to gain insight into their financial behavior and commitment to repaying obligations.

While the borrower's credit score is influenced by their credit history, it is a numerical representation and does not provide the full context. The borrower's annual income is important for evaluating their capacity to pay debts but does not directly measure willingness. Similarly, employment length may indicate stability but does not serve as a direct indicator of a borrower's intent or willingness to meet debt obligations. Thus, the past credit history serves as the most direct reflection of a borrower's willingness to repay monthly debts.