ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Through the first nine months of this year, the American Bankruptcy Institute revealed that U.S. consumer bankruptcy filings are 11 percent higher than during the same time span last year.

According to data provided by the National Bankruptcy Research Center, the amount of bankruptcies filed through Sept. 30 totaled 1,165,172 nationwide. During the first three quarters of 2009, ABI indicated 1,046,449 consumer filings were processed.

The institute also pointed out the amount so far in 2010 represents the highest total since 2005. That's when Congress enacted the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act (BAPCPA) to try to stem the tide of filings.

"While the 2005 bankruptcy overhaul law aimed to reduce filings, overall consumer debt and continued financial stress have led to consumer bankruptcies climbing back to pre-BAPCPA levels," explained ABI executive director Samuel Gerdano.

"We expect that there will be nearly 1.6 million new bankruptcy filings by year end," Gerdano added.

Looking just at September figures, ABI also revealed 130,329 consumer filings came during the month. The figure was 3.3 percent higher than the previous month. Officials indicated the August total was 127,028.

Also of note, the institute determined Chapter 13 filings constituted 30 percent of all consumer cases in September, a slight increase from August.