the business of banking

Every time I go into my bank they tell me that their interest rates on loans are 'best ever' and that, as a valued customer, they would love me to talk to them about some borrowing.
So, at the moment things are tight finacially and, to be honest, we have beem struggling to keep our heads above water since I had to leave my job through ill health and take on a lower paid one.
We arranged an appointment and explained to the very pleasant, helpful young man that we wanted to consolidate our existing loan and a number of credit and store cards whose interest rates were crippling us. He was optomistic that something could be sorted out and said he would discuss the best way forward with his manager. Later he called me to say they wanted to look at new lending to cover the existing loan and all but one credit card. I agreed and it was sent on to the lending services department.
I have just received a call from our helpful chap who apologised that, although he and his manager could see the benefit of restructuring, lending services had said no.
We would get a yes if we didn't use our overdraft all the time and if WE hadn't decided to stop using my main credit card.
Apparently this is all about the banks duty of care to us but I'm at a loss to see how as the restructuring would clear most debts and would cost us less per month.

It seems that if we were in a position where we didn't need to use our overdraft and if we were using a wallet full of credit cards then we could borrow money but of course if that were the case we wouldn't need to!

It was obvious from talking to the man at the bank that all the people involved wanted to lend us the money but the very clever computer said no.

So why is it that when it comes to lending a long term customer a few grand experienced bank managers aren't allowed to make a decision but when we are talking about millions gambled on the stock market any boy with a suit and a GCSE from a 'good' school can play?