If you are a consumer whose financial well-being has been imperiled by credit cards, debt settlement may be a viable option. However, due to recent changes in the financial services industry, your ability to negotiate with your creditors may be somewhat limited. Still, most lenders are open to the possibility of a settlement if the client can prove that he or she is facing severe, long-term financial hardship and there is little hope that the situation will turn around in the future. If this description applies to you, you may be able to obtain settlement offers for your past-due credit card accounts. Bear in mind, however, that most lenders will require that you make a lump sum payment of some kind in order to complete the settlement offer. If you do not have access to some ready source of funds, it is unlikely that your credit card settlement offer will be successful.