NEW YORK, March 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Small business filings, captured as Subchapter V elections within Chapter 11, increased 91% in February 2026 to 314, up from 164 the previous year, according to data provided by Epiq AACER, the leading provider of US bankruptcy filing data. Commercial Chapter 11 bankruptcy filings increased 67% in February 2026, with 814 filings increasing from 487 filings in February 2025. February’s commercial Chapter 11 total reflects many related filings tied to a few sizeable commercial Chapter 11 proceedings. Total February commercial filings increased 21% to 2666 from the 2200 commercial filings in February 2025.

“The significant increases in Subchapter V elections reflect the reality that many small businesses are operating in a challenging environment with higher borrowing costs, softening client demand, and tighter lending standards,” said  Michael Hunter, Vice President of Epiq AACER. “At the same time, households are managing rising credit card and auto delinquencies, increasing foreclosure starts, and higher mortgage delinquency rates. This is particularly true within the Federal Housing Administration and Government National Mortgage Association segment.

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