Bankruptcy filings climbed 14% year-over-year in April, and the industry is pointing toward auto financing as part of the cause.

According to data provided by Epiq AACER, total bankruptcy filings came in at 56,427. Here’s how analysts broke down that number:

—53,367 individual bankruptcy filings, a 13% increase from April 2025 that included 47,121

—18,007 individual Chapter 13 filings, an 11% increase from April 2025 that included 16,210

—35,224 individual Chapter 7 filings, a 14% increase from April 2025 that included 30,812

—3,060 overall commercial filings, a 21% increase from April 2025 that included 2,520.

—301 small business filings, captured as Subchapter V elections within Chapter 11, a 46% increase from April 2025 that included 206.

—62 Chapter 12 filings, a streamlined restructuring designed specifically for family farms and fisheries, a 130% increase from April 2025 that included 27. Analysts said this is the highest monthly total since February 2020.

Epiq AACER vice president Michael Hunter offered this assessment through a news release after reviewing that data.

“Individual bankruptcy filings are rising due to persistent pressures in consumer credit markets, where auto loan delinquencies remain near 15-year highs,” Hunter said. “These trends are further compounded by a 26% surge in foreclosure filings in Q1 2026.

“Higher gas prices are straining consumer goods and household budgets, while continued home appreciation is pushing up property taxes and homeowners’ insurance costs. These headwinds may intensify and drive even more families toward Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 protection in the coming months,” Hunter continued.

Looking at the April data on a sequential comparison, there were decreases. According to Epiq, they included:

—Total filings decreased 3% from March’s total of 58,317

—Individual filings decreased 4% from March’s total of 55,378

—Commercial Chapter 11 filings decreased 2% from March’s total of 658

—Individual Chapter 7 cases decreased 4% from March’s total of 36,777

—Individual Chapter 13 cases decreased 3% from March’s total of 18,482

Nonetheless, American Bankruptcy Institute executive director Amy Quackenboss said, “Rising inflation, higher borrowing costs, and geopolitical uncertainty are intensifying the financial strain on families and businesses.”