Writer: Erica Sandberg
Editor: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Reviewer: Adam West
As an increasing number of Americans are seeking bankruptcy for debt relief, the subprime industry takes on an especially important role. Lenders that cater to people with bad credit can and should be ready with assistance to help those wanting to rebuild.
By doing so, subprime lenders can empower consumers to increase their credit scores and achieve financial stability while gaining worthy borrowers and inspiring loyalty.
The need is substantial.
For the 12-month period ending June 30, 2025, total U.S. bankruptcy filings climbed to more than 542,529, representing an 11.5% increase from the 486,613 filings in the prior year.
Chapter 7 bankruptcies, the most common type, rose by 7% from April 2024 to April 2025, as cash-strapped borrowers increasingly turned to liquidation as a legal means to eliminate their debts.
More bankruptcy filings are predicted for 2026, as credit card charge-offs remain at elevated levels compared to the past decade. According to the National Creditor Bar Association, legal actions typically lag by nine months to a year.
Total U.S. bankruptcy filings increased by 11.5% between 2024 and 2025, with Chapter 7 bankruptcies rising 7%.
Student loans are also adding to the financial squeeze. Delinquencies reached 10.2% in Q2 2025, with older borrowers hit the hardest. Nearly 18% of people aged 50 and over are seriously delinquent.
Although these loans are rarely dischargeable, borrowers may seek relief from their other obligations so they can get their student loans back in good standing.
Distress among the lowest credit tiers is already most intense, reported VantageScore. Subprime credit delinquencies increased in June, growing 2.5% year-over-year. VantageScore now speculates that a portion of those struggling borrowers are falling deeper behind.
So should subprime lenders be at the ready to catch those who use the bankruptcy option? Absolutely.
Post-Bankruptcy Credit Scores Are Problematic for Prime
For people who have recently filed, qualifying for a new loan or credit card can be a challenge since lenders often require borrowers to have credit scores at least in the mid-600s.
Yet after a bankruptcy discharge, consumers tend to have scores at the lowest end of the scale, making them ineligible for premium credit products.
Without credit, consumers can’t recover and create high credit scores. The sooner they do, the better their opportunities.
That’s where subprime lenders come in, not as predatory companies as they are too often perceived, but as truly beneficial financial institutions.
The Right Credit Access Creates a Reentry Path
After borrowers get the formal bankruptcy discharge, much if not all of their debt is wiped away. Although their credit scores will be low, many have a sudden capacity for loans. Not only is less money going toward old debt, they are forced into better borrowing habits because they can’t file Chapter 7 again for another eight years.
Subprime products can act as a powerful bridge. Small or credit builder loans can help them establish consistent payments and ensure a fixed payoff date without affecting credit utilization ratios.
Secured credit cards are low-risk for lenders and provide account holders with savings when the deposit is released. As borrowers charge and repay responsibly, lenders can incrementally increase the line.
Extra handholding may be in order to help these customers become successful. Some filers continue to struggle with budgeting issues even after leaving their debts behind.
That’s why lenders who cater to the post-bankruptcy segment with credit products might offer:
- Payment alerts via text or email
- Encourage (or require) automatic payments
- Savings incentives, such as lower interest when they set cash aside
- Credit report and score monitoring
- Personal finance education and support
After Bankruptcy, Subprime Lenders Can Be the Hero
As conventional lenders pull back from people who have declared bankruptcy, subprime lenders can move in. They are built for this moment, having already served people outside the financial mainstream.
With prudent risk management strategies, subprime can do more than just lend. They can help borrowers rebuild their credit and financial lives. The impact of offering credit products to people who want to start fresh can be enormous.
When people practice good credit habits with credit cards and loans, they can see steady improvements in their credit scores in as little as a year.
Yes, more than half a million recent bankruptcies in the past year is an alarming statistic, and more are sure to follow. But with the right approach, these people can become loyal and healthy borrowers.
At that stage they’ll be ready to move up the credit ladder — and consider the lender that gave them the chance as positive, not predatory.
