[dazc]

I went through a bad mental and financial episode 15 years ago and was really struggling to keep my account in good order. All the advice I heard was call your bank, explain your position and they will help you sort it out.

So I did that and the way HSBC helped me was to immediately cancel all my cards so I was left high and dry. Since my problems had only just begun I realised my credit record was still good and opened an account with Barclays the next day who were more than happy to issue me cards and a line of credit.

The moral of this story is that if you have financial problems do not tell your bank.

[PeterisP]

The core business of banks is trading money-right-now for future-money and vice versa.

So if you have the type of financial problems where you need money-right-now but have some good future-money to offer in exchange, they'll be glad to help you make a deal (and vice versa for investments), and you should absolutely talk with your bank about such problems.

However, if you have the type of financial problems where both money-right-now and future-money are lacking, then yes, no bank is going to be helpful there.

[jhugo]

They'll only help you if you qualify for a product they can sell you.