Total U.S. bankruptcy filings increased 2 percent in October 2017 over October of last year, according to data provided by Epiq Systems, Inc. Filings totaled 64,579 in October 2017, up slightly from the October 2016 total of 63,082. Consumer bankruptcies also increased in October 2017, as the 61,590 filings were 3 percent more than the 60,005 consumer filings registered in October 2016. Commercial bankruptcy filings totaled 2,989 in October 2017, a 3 percent decrease from the 3,077 commercial filings in October 2016. Commercial chapter 11 filings registered the steepest drop, as the 316 filings in October 2017 were down 22 percent from the October 2016 commercial chapter 11 filing total of 405.
