Bankruptcy Filings Rise By 11% In First 9 Months Of 2026

Bankruptcy filings in the U.S. rose in the first nine months of 2026, according to the American Bankruptcy Institute (ABI). In total, 469,719 filings—both individual and commercial—were submitted from January through September, up 11% year over year, the ABI said in an Oct. 8 statement. Individuals accounted for 444,252 filings, while businesses logged 25,467, up 7%. ABI cited higher borrowing costs, rising household expenses, consumer delinquencies, and a softer job market. The average weekly rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage is at its highest level in about three years, and credit card interest has topped 20% for more than three years. The article also notes proposed changes in the Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act.