Total Bankruptcy Filings Increased by 10 Percent, Commercial Filings Increased 4 Percent
NEW YORK – Oct. 7, 2025 — U.S. bankruptcy filings climbed sharply in the first three quarters of 2025, underscoring rising financial stress for households and businesses, according to new data from Epiq AACER.
Key Figures
Total Filings: 423,053, up 10% from 383,341 in 2024.
Individual Filings: 399,387, an 11% increase year-over-year.
Chapter 7: 249,152 cases, up 15% from 2024.
Chapter 13: 149,337 cases, up 4% year-over-year.
Commercial Filings: 23,666, a 4% rise, though commercial Chapter 11 cases dipped 3% to 5,883.
Small Business (Subchapter V): 1,764 filings, up 6%.
Bankruptcy activity accelerated in September 2025, with 49,182 total filings, a 16% jump from the prior year. Individual Chapter 7 filings rose 19%, while Chapter 13 filings gained 10%. Commercial subchapter V elections saw a sharp 40% surge.
“The sharp rise in individual bankruptcy filings this September compared to 2024 highlights the mounting financial pressure on households across the country,” said Michael Hunter, Vice President of Epiq AACER. “Chapter 7 filings surged 19 percent year-over-year, and the growth in active Chapter 13 case inventory suggests more consumers are turning to bankruptcy as a necessary financial reset. We expect this upward trend to continue, with a strong likelihood of accelerating into 2026.”
“With household debts climbing, lending terms tightening and geopolitical uncertainty creating challenges within supply chains, bankruptcies continue their ascent toward pre-pandemic levels,” said ABI Executive Director, Amy Quackenboss. “Families or businesses overwhelmed by growing debt loads have a financial lifeline through the bankruptcy process.”
About Epiq
Epiq, a technology and services leader, takes on large-scale and complex tasks for corporations, law firms, and the courts by integrating people, process, technology, and data intelligence. Clients rely on Epiq to streamline legal, compliance, settlement, and business administration workflows to drive efficiency, minimize risk, and improve cost savings. With a presence in 17 countries, our values define who we are and how we partner with clients and communities. Learn how Epiq and its 6,100 people worldwide create meaningful change at www.epiqglobal.com.
About ABI
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 nearly 10,000 attorneys, accountants, bankers, judges, professors, lenders, turnaround specialists and other bankruptcy professionals, providing a forum for the exchange of ideas and information. For additional information on ABI, visit www.abi.org. For additional conference information, visit www.abi.org/calendar-of-events.