Bankruptcies drop in 2004

California CPA, May, 2005

While the number of bankruptcy filings dipped slightly last year, there were 344,018 more filings in 2004 compared with 2000.

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

      TOTAL      NON-BUSINESS  BUSINESS

2004  1,597,462  1,563,145     34,317

2003  1,660,245  1,625,208     35,037

2002  1,577,651  1,539,111     38,540

2001  1,492,129  1,452,030     40,099

2000  1,253,444  1,217,972     35,472

Source: Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts