Lenders ask for two to six months. US: two to three. UK: three to six. Self-employed: up to twenty-four.
They check three things. Income arrived regularly. Reserves cover close plus payments. No large unexplained deposits.
Large means half a month income or more. Gift money needs a letter. Transfers need both sides. Cash deposits need a source.
Prepare one pack. Full PDFs, every page. Convert each to Excel for the broker. Keep opening and closing balances aligned across months.
A bank statement analyser previews the verdict: monthly income, obligations, bounces, and balance trends. Fix thin months before the application, not after refusal.