Total U.S. bankruptcy filings increased 2 percent in October 2017 over October of last year, according to data provided by Epiq Systems, Inc. Filings totaled 64,579 in October 2017, up slightly from the October 2016 total of 63,082. Consumer bankruptcies also increased in October 2017, as the 61,590 filings were 3 percent more than the 60,005 consumer filings registered in October 2016.
Commercial bankruptcy filings totaled 2,989 in October 2017, a 3 percent decrease from the 3,077 commercial filings in October 2016. Commercial chapter 11 filings registered the steepest drop, as the 316 filings in October 2017 were down 22 percent from the October 2016 commercial chapter 11 filing total of 405.
“High filing costs remain an obstacle for distressed consumers and businesses considering the financial relief of bankruptcy,” said ABI Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano. “The recommendations of ABI’s Chapter 11 Commission and the ongoing efforts of the Commission on Consumer Bankruptcy aim to remove barriers for struggling businesses and families seeking a fresh start through bankruptcy.”
Total filings for October increased 8 percent compared to the 60,024 total filings in September 2017. Total noncommercial filings for October also represented an 8 percent increase from the September 2017 noncommercial filing total of 57,135. October’s commercial filing total represented a 4 percent increase from the September 2017 commercial filing total of 2,889. However, commercial chapter 11 filings were down 27 percent from the 433 filings recorded in September 2017.
The average nationwide per capita bankruptcy filing rate for the first 10 calendar months of 2017 (Jan. 1-Oct. 31) remained the same at 2.53 (total filings per 1,000 population) as the rate registered during the first nine months of the year. The average daily filing total in October 2017 was 3,075, a 2.5 percent decrease from the 3,154 total daily filings registered in October 2016. States with the highest per capita filing rates (total filings per 1,000 population) through the first nine months of 2017 were:
- Alabama (5.82)
- Tennessee (5.63)
- Georgia (4.74)
- Mississippi (4.22)
- Utah (4.10)
ABI is the largest multi-disciplinary, nonpartisan organization dedicated to research and education on matters related to insolvency. ABI was founded in 1982 to provide Congress and the public with unbiased analysis of bankruptcy issues. The ABI membership includes more than 11,000 attorneys, accountants, bankers, judges, professors, lenders, turnaround specialists and other bankruptcy professionals, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information.