The Relationship between Nonbusiness Bankruptcy Filings and Various Measure of Consumer Debt

Abstract

This web-based article was originally posted to the web in 2001. It explores the relationship between the U.S. nonbusiness bankruptcy filings and basic measures of debt carried by consumers, including mortgages. The conclusion is nonbusiness bankruptcy filings have a relationship to outstanding consumer debt. The paper also discusses the construction of the Federal Reserve's household debt service burden and how that data point may be an incomplete measure of consumber debt burden. The web site that hosted the paper no longer exists, and because the author periodically receives requests for the paper, it is made available here.

Keywords: bankrutpcy, consumer credit

JEL Classification: K20