Bankruptcy on the Rise

Chapter 11 bankruptcies in the US rose by 68% during the first six months of 2023, according to Equip Bankruptcy. You may have survived the pandemic, but surviving Bidenomics is proving too much for many businesses. There were 1,766 filings during the first six months of 2022, compared to the 2,973 businesses that went under this year. Chapter 13 personal bankruptcy also rose by 23% during this period.

Around 12,107 commercial filings were recorded during the first half of this year, marking an 18% increase year-on-year. Small businesses experienced a 55% increase in Chapter 11 filings during the same time period. Commercial bankruptcies increased 12% year-on-year in June alone, and small businesses saw a 111% spike. “The growth in filings is reflective of more families and businesses facing surging debt loads due to rising interest rates, inflation, and increased borrowing costs,” said ABI Executive Director Amy Quackenboss.

Everyone is in trouble here. This is becoming a trend as inflation is here to stay. Credit card debt has reached historical highs as people struggle to pay the basics. Businesses were already decimated by COVID policies, and some never regained the momentum. People have lost all confidence in the future and are less likely to spend. Many businesses attempted to recover from lockdowns and the supply chain disaster, but the increased regulations make it difficult for many to profit. It will only become more expensive to borrow money as Powell all but guaranteed additional hikes this year, and now many have no other option than to liquidate it all.