[refurb]

I think the key is that banks generally dont hold mortgages on their books (there are exceptions for some customers).

As such they need a buyer for those mortgages and the buyer wants mortgages that conform to a standard so they can be packaged into bonds and sold off.

Despite you being a good credit risk, you're just not the "right" customer for them. In your words, you're not "easy money" for them because easy money is originating the loan then selling it off to make it someone else's job.