Macro EconomyMedium•12 October 2026•
1 min read
US Bankruptcy Filings Surge 11% in First Nine Months of 2026
Key Facts
1Total US bankruptcy filings reached 469,719 in the first nine months of 2026, an 11% increase compared to the same period last year.
2Small business Subchapter V bankruptcy filings surged by 46% to reach 2,442 filings in the first nine months of the year.
Total US bankruptcy filings reached 469,719 in the first nine months of 2026, an 11% increase compared to the same period last year. Reuters reported, citing data from the American Bankruptcy Institute, that small business Subchapter V bankruptcy filings surged by 46% to reach 2,442 filings during this timeframe.
The surge is attributed to sustained high interest rates on mortgages and credit cards, alongside inflationary pressures following the U.S.-Iran conflict earlier in the year. Available data shows the MBA 30-Year Mortgage Rate reached 7.49% on October 7, 2026, highlighting the ongoing financial strain on both consumers and small businesses.