When assessing 'character' for credit, what specifically is evaluated?

When assessing 'character' for credit, the evaluation focuses on an individual's history of repaying debts. This is a critical factor because it provides lenders with insights into the applicant's reliability and responsibility when it comes to managing loans and debts. A strong repayment history demonstrates that the borrower is likely to fulfill their future financial obligations, which reduces the perceived risk for lenders.

In contrast, the other options do not directly reflect a borrower's character. For instance, finding a co-signer may help secure a loan, but it does not showcase the individual's own creditworthiness. Total income is an important metric for evaluating the ability to repay a loan, but it does not speak to the individual's past behavior regarding debt repayment. Similarly, age and marital status might provide demographic information, but they do not inherently indicate how well a person has managed credit in the past. Therefore, focusing on the history of repaying debts is the most relevant aspect of assessing character in a credit evaluation context.