Alexandria, Va.— Total bankruptcy filings in the United States decreased 14 percent in January from the same period last year, according to data provided by Epiq Systems, Inc. Bankruptcy filings totaled 59,037 in January 2015, down from the January 2014 total of 68,271. Consumer filings declined 13 percent in January 2015 to 56,588 from the January 2014 consumer filing total of 65,347. In addition, total commercial filings in January 2015 decreased to 2,449, representing a 16 percent decline from the 2,924 business filings recorded in January 2014. Total commercial chapter 11 filings, however, were up 33 percent January 2015’s commercial chapter 11 filings increased to 518 from January 2014's 391 filings.

“High costs to file and sustained low interests rates continue to reduce the number of consumers and businesses seeking the fresh financial start of bankruptcy,” said ABI Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano. “The year-over-year filing totals have now declined for 50 consecutive months.”

Total bankruptcy filings for the month of January 2015 decreased 7 percent compared to the 63,169 total filings registered in December 2014. Total noncommercial filings for January, 56,588, also represented a 7 percent decrease from the December 2014 noncommercial filing total of 63,618. The January 2015 commercial filing total of 2,449 represented a 1 percent decrease from the December 2014 commercial filing total of 2,483. Conversely, January 2015’s 518 commercial chapter 11 filings represented a 47 percent increase from the 394 filings recorded the previous month.

The average nationwide per capita bankruptcy-filing rate in January 2015 was 2.28 (total filings per 1,000 per population), a decrease from December 2014’s rate of 2.93. Average total filings per day in January were 1,904 a 14 percent decrease from the 2,202 total daily filings in January 2014. States with the highest per capita filing rate (total filings per 1,000 population) in January 2015 were:

1. Tennessee (5.25)

2. Alabama (4.61)

3. Georgia (4.57)

4. Illinois (3.89)

5. Mississippi (3.33)

ABI has partnered with Epiq Systems, Inc. in order to provide the most current bankruptcy filing data for analysts, researchers and members of the news media. Epiq Systems is a leading provider of managed technology for the global legal profession. 

For further information about the statistics or additional requests, please contact ABI Public Affairs Manager John Hartgen at 703-894-5935 or [email protected].

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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 13,000 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.abiworld.org.

Epiq Systems is a leading provider of managed technology for the global legal profession.  Epiq Systems offers innovative technology solutions for electronic discovery, document review, legal notification, claims administration and controlled disbursement of funds.  Epiq System’s clients include leading law firms, corporate legal departments, bankruptcy trustees, government agencies, mortgage processors, financial institutions, and other professional advisors who require innovative technology, responsive service and deep subject-matter expertise. For more information on Epiq Systems, Inc., please visit http://www.epiqsystems.com.