Bankruptcies in Alaska: a significant increase.

• Author: Pemberton, Jocelyn
• Position: Alaska Trends for January 2006

Bankruptcies filed in Alaska have increased dramatically. In the period of one year, the total number of bankruptcies filed in Alaska increased by almost 212 percent. In September 2005, the total number of bankruptcies filed was 287, compared to 92 bankruptcies in September 2004. In the period of one month, August 2005 to September 2005, the number of bankruptcies also increased from 194 to 287 bankruptcies. The majority of these filings are personal bankruptcies, with only eight being Alaska businesses.

A large number of Alaska's bankruptcy filings occurred in Anchorage. The total number of bankruptcies filed in September 2005 was 193 compared to 72 in September 2004. This increase indicates a 168 percent growth in the number of bankruptcies filed in Anchorage over the last year. There were a large number of bankruptcies filed in August as well, numbering 139.

Fairbanks also reported a significant increase in the number of bankruptcies filed over the last year. In September...