Mortgage approval issue

[Thomas Lowe]

So I'm trying to get approved for a conventional loan for an investment property. My wife and I have a joint bank account, And she also has her own personal account. I'm trying to transfer money from my wife's personal account to our joint account, but the lender is saying that I'm not allowed to do that as it is considered "a gift." It seems like absolute insanity to me. Does this sound right to you guys? Any ideas as to how to get money for the down payment? I'm thinking HELOC or 401k loan? Thanks for your advice.