Still, Utah’s bankruptcy rate remains high by national standards. The American Bankruptcy Institute says Utah ranked sixth among states in per-capita filings during the first half of 2013.

Utah had five bankruptcy filings for every 1,000 residents, down by 12 percent from the first half of 2012.

U.S. Bankruptcy Court says 7,596 people filed for bankruptcy in Utah in the first half of 2013.

Meanwhile, foreclosure listing firm RealtyTrac Inc. says 454 houses in Utah entered foreclosure or were repossessed by banks in June.

That’s down by 47 percent from the number in June 1012. But it’s up nearly 30 percent from May.