Probably the old fashioned way - by looking at employment history (salary, length of employment, etc.), savings and whatever assets you have (which you can pote

Probably the old fashioned way - by looking at employment history (salary, length of employment, etc.), savings and whatever assets you have (which you can potentially sell to give them their money back in case something happens). Basically, everything besides a history of paying back loans :-). Those lacking (some of) these things get smaller loans/bigger interest rates or don't get a loan at all...