Video Series
SAW Framework – Stability, Ability, and Willingness
Understand the lending process with this educational series designed to show you exactly what lenders look for when reviewing a loan application.
SAW: Intro
This video introduces viewers to the fundamentals of how lenders evaluate loan applications. It introduces the SAW framework—Stability, Ability, and Willingness—and explains why these factors matter in lending decisions.
Stability
This video explains how lenders assess stability when reviewing loan applications, focusing on employment and income consistency. It covers three key scenarios:
Length of Employment: Why job tenure matters and how short employment history can affect risk perception.
Temporary or Irregular Income: Challenges with seasonal, freelance, or app-based work and tips for proving reliability.
Employment Verification: Why lenders need confirmation and how to avoid delays or declines by providing accurate information and supporting documents.
Ability
This video explains how Ability factors in lending decisions—how lenders determine whether a loan is affordable based on your financial situation. It covers common reasons applications may be declined, including:
Income Insufficient for Amount Requested: Why lenders compare income to loan size and how to improve affordability.
High Use of Credit: How credit utilization impacts perceived risk and tips for lowering balances.
Insufficient Collateral Value: Why collateral matters for secured loans and what to do if value falls short.
Excessive Trade Lines: How too many open accounts can signal risk and ways to simplify your credit profile.
Unable to Verify Income: Why accurate documentation is critical and how to provide clear proof of earnings.
Willingness
This video focuses on the Willingness factor in lending decisions—how your past credit behavior influences a lender’s confidence in your ability to repay. It explains common challenges that can impact loan approval, including:
Delinquent Credit with Others: Why past-due or collection accounts matter and steps to catch up and rebuild trust.
Foreclosure or Repossession: How major credit setbacks affect risk perception and what you can do to recover.
Limited Credit Experience: Why a thin credit file makes decisions harder and how to start building credit responsibly.
Active Bankruptcy: What bankruptcy signals to lenders and strategies for demonstrating financial recovery over time.
Closed-End vs. Revolving Credit
Closed-End Loans provide a fixed amount of money upfront, repaid on a set schedule with equal monthly payments and account closes once the loan is paid off.
Examples: Car loans, mortgages, personal installment loans.
Revolving Credit provides a credit limit you can borrow against repeatedly. Payments reduce the balance, making credit available again.
Common example: Credit cards.
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