Consumer filings declined month over month while remaining significantly higher than last year
New monthly bankruptcy data from G2 Risk Solutions (G2RS) shows that U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings declined in April 2026 compared with March, while continuing to rise sharply year over year.
Consumer bankruptcy filings totaled 55,217 in April 2026, representing a 3.5% decrease from March 2026. Despite the monthly decline, consumer filings were 13.26% higher than in April 2025, reflecting sustained year‑over‑year growth.
Commercial bankruptcy filings totaled 1,204 in April 2026, an increase of 9.45% from March and a 34.23% jump year over year. Commercial filings remain significantly elevated compared with pre‑pandemic levels. Following sharp declines in 2021 and 2022 driven by pandemic‑related relief programs, filings rebounded in 2024 and continued trending upward through 2025 and into early 2026. Year‑to‑date commercial filings are up nearly 25% versus the same period last year.
April consumer filings represented the third highest April total since 2018, while commercial filings reached the highest April level over the same period.
Compared with April 2025, Chapter 7 consumer filings increased 14.43%, while Chapter 13 filings rose 10.84%, highlighting ongoing differences in consumer financial stress and repayment capacity.
These patterns are significant for servicing and recovery teams. “The industry is navigating a 'stagflation-lite' environment, where persistent inflation and slowing growth are driving persistent financial stress for consumers and businesses alike,” says Ryan Sanders, bankruptcy risk expert at G2RS. “Energy-driven inflation, tighter financial conditions, and a cooling labor market are fueling a longer-lasting cycle of financial stress, which typically leads to a gradual but sustained increase in bankruptcy activity. We expect this dynamic to continue throughout the year.”