January 2026 Bankruptcy Data Shows Increase in both Consumer and Commercial Filings Over January 2025

Commercial Filings Spiked 49% YoY, While Consumer Filings Rose 9% YoY

Feb. 25, 2026 — Burlingame, Calif. — The first look at 2026 national bankruptcy data tracked by G2 Risk Solutions (G2RS) shows increased filings in both consumer and commercial bankruptcies when compared against January 2025. The increase in commercial filings was particularly significant, rising 49% year-over-year (YoY). It was the highest January level for commercial filings seen since 2018.

Commercial bankruptcy filings totaled 1,378 in January 2026, rising 32.3% from December 2025. Commercial filings have trended upward since 2022 and remain above pre-pandemic levels, but overall growth in 2025 was flat, rising less than 1% for the entire year.

“While business bankruptcies in 2025 were largely contained, the January 2026 spike is worth noting—but we’ll need more time and data to better understand it,” said Ryan Sanders, director at G2RS. “For now, the January data seems to be less about a sudden shock and more about pressure that has been building over time.”

US consumer bankruptcy filings in January 2026 were 9% higher than in January 2025 but declined 1.4% month-over-month from December 2025. Consumer bankruptcy filings totaled 44,282 in January 2026. During 2025, consumer filings grew nearly 14% the entire year.   

“The ongoing trend in consumer filings also seems to reflect slow-burn financial strain,” said Sanders. “Even with the modest month-over-month decline last month, consumer bankruptcies remain meaningfully higher year-over-year and have grown steadily since 2022. In the face of higher costs, households may be gradually depleting savings and credit resources.”

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