5 Largest Bankruptcies in American History

2. Washington Mutual Inc.

Total assets of the company at the time of bankruptcy (in millions): $327,913

The top two entries in the biggest bankruptcies in U.S. history both met their demise in 2008. In 2008, more than $16.7 billion were withdrawn in a 9-day bank run which led to the seizure of WaMu bank by the United States Office of Thrift Supervision. The banking subsidiaries were sold to JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) for $1.9 billion. In terms of assets under management, this is the biggest bankruptcy in the country.