The American Bankruptcy Institute reported, according to data provided by Epiq Systems, total U.S. commercial bankruptcy filings increased 28% in August 2016 over August of last year.

Commercial filings totaled 3,199 in August 2016, up from the August 2015 total of 2,491. August is the 10th consecutive month with a year-over-year increase in commercial filings. However, total commercial Chapter 11 filings decreased in August 2016, as the 362 filings were 32% less than the 534 commercial Chapter 11 filings registered in August 2015.

Total bankruptcy filings increased 1% to 68,495 in August 2016, slightly up from the August 2015 total of 67,777. Consumer filings were 65,296, also slightly up from the August 2015 consumer filing total of 65,286.

“Debt-burdened businesses continue to turn to the financial shield of bankruptcy,” said ABI Executive Director Samuel J. Gerdano. “As distress continues in the energy and retail sectors, 2016 business bankruptcies will surpass the totals registered the past two years.”

Total filings for August represented a 12% increase compared to the 61,340 total filings in July 2016. Total noncommercial filings for August were also 12% more than the July 2016 noncommercial filing total of 58,385. August’s commercial filing total also represented an 8% increase from the July 2016 commercial filing total of 2,955. August commercial Chapter 11 filings registered a 1% increase when compared to the 357 filings registered the previous month.