...First-Half Filings Outperform Fitch Estimate: Personal bankruptcy filings at the end of the first half of 2015 came in 11.6% lower than a year earlier, surpassing Fitch Ratings' full-year forecast of an 8%-10% decline. Momentum in the overall economic environment continues to positively reinforce progress on the bankruptcy front. At this rate, Fitch believes total 2015 filings will reach eight year lows while posting a fifth consecutive year of improvement. Strong Macroeconomic Factors Push Filings Lower: Lower filings through the first half were supported by further declines in jobless claims and unemployment rates. A tightening in the labor market, along with rising personal income levels and lower consumer debt burdens, helped support the overall decline. Fitch Revises 2015 Forecast: Fitch has slightly revised its full-year estimate of personal bankruptcy filings to contract approximately 10%-12% from 2014 levels. Fitch believes this estimate will hold true given current macroeconomic...
