I'm not sure how your stuff works over there, but it probably depends on who you're with..

It's helpful to read the terms and conditions of a site, for example: in my country, vanguard state that you are the owner of the assets you hold with them so it doesn't become their property and can't be deemed as such in legal terms.

If banks are bailed out, you're going to do a lot better holding stocks than you are holding cash (normally). Everything takes a hit in a crisis but most stuff bounces back. If you're trying to live of a rothira or a 401k you'll see your stock price change quite a bit and your entire net worth, dividends may change but ceos are discouraged from doing that as it makes the company look unstable so unless it's really necessary they won't.