Do lenders look into the past (e.g. past debt consolidation programs)?

For example: If all of my credit cards are paid off using a debt consolidation program, will lenders (or any agency checking one’s credit), look into the past and see this? Will they look at it negatively if it’s already paid off? Will they look at it negatively if you’re still in the program? http://bit.ly/lNQJ5k