ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Total bankruptcy filings continue to trend higher this year — reaching levels not seen in four years — according to the most recent data compiled by the American Bankruptcy Institute.

In the third quarter of 2009 alone, ABI found that 388,485 total bankruptcies were filed between July 1 and Sept. 30. Officials determined that amount represented a 33-percent spike over the quantity filed during the third quarter of last year. The amount in that period was 292,291.

Thus far for all of 2009, there have been 1,100,035 bankruptcies according to records ABI secured from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Through the first three quarters of 2008, ABI noted that there were 841,496 bankruptcies. The year-over-year comparison represents a rise of 35 percent.

All told, ABI pointed out that the bankruptcy totals are at the highest level since 2005. Officials noted that year amendments to the Bankruptcy Code went into effect.

Analyzing the data by business and consumer bankruptcies doesn't paint a rosy picture, either.

ABI learned that the 45,510 business bankruptcies filed during the first three quarters of 2009 surpassed the total amount for all of last year. In 2008, a total of 43,546 businesses filed for bankruptcy.

During the third quarter of this year, 15,177 businesses fell into bankruptcy. It represented a 32-percent jump from the third quarter of 2008 when 11,504 businesses went into bankruptcy.

When looking at the specific type of business bankruptcy, ABI found 3,060 Chapter 11 filings and 10,798 Chapter 7 filings. Each total calculated into an increase of at least 23 percent over the business bankruptcy category measured during the same quarter of last year.

On the consumer side, those going into bankruptcy during the third quarter of 2009 came in at 373,308, a 33-percent increase over the total for the same time period last year. That figure was 280,787.

Breaking down consumer bankruptcies by category, ABI determined the most substantial increase was for Chapter 7 filings. Those consumer bankruptcies rose 42 percent in the third quarter from 187,227 to 265,721.

Chapter 13 consumer bankruptcies also rose in the third quarter as compared to the same time in 2008. That 15-percent jump came from a total of 93,333 climbing to 107,142.

Further analysis about consumer bankruptcies revealed that there have been 1,402,816 nonbusiness filings in the 12-month period that concluded Sept. 30. ABI calculated that total represented 4.52 bankruptcies per 1,000 U.S. residents.

Officials also learned that Nevada is suffering the most bankruptcies per capita. In all chapters, Nevada has 10.49 filings per 1,000 residents. The state also has the highest rate of Chapter 7 filings at 7.53.

The highest per capita rate of Chapter 13 bankruptcies is in Tennessee. According to ABI, Tennessee's rate stands at 4.36.

ABI executive director Samuel Gerdano summarized the bleak situation the latest bankruptcy statistics revealed.

"The spike in bankruptcy filings for both consumers and businesses reflect the continuing effects of today's weak economy," Gerdano stressed.

"With unemployment surpassing 10 percent and credit to businesses remaining tight, consumers and businesses are increasingly turning to the financial relief of bankruptcy," he concluded.