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Consumer bankruptcy filings during January fell to their lowest level in four years, reflecting a 13% decline in year-ago levels. Over the past year, bankruptcy is tracking nearly 4% below 2003 levels, ironically at a time when bankruptcy reforms may finally pass Congress. During January, 99,705 consumer Chapter 7 and 11 filings were made, compared to 114,737 for January 2004. During the fourth quarter, there were 364,313 consumer bankruptcy filings, compared to 393,348 for 4Q/03. Year-to-date bankruptcy filings were 1,552,967. The decline for full-year 2004 is the first drop in consumer bankruptcy filings since full-year 2000.