$32.8 million in property returned

CARSON CITY -- State Treasurer Kate Marshall said $32.8 million in unclaimed property was returned to Nevadans during the fiscal year that ended June 30.

Marshall said the amount is a new state record and exceeds the previous record of $25.3 million reached in 2009.

Claims paid for unclaimed property rose 36 percent in 2011 over the previous year.

Marshall partially credits a new "fast track" system that allows claims under $2,500 to be paid through an automated process for the increase.

The Unclaimed Property Division in the treasurer's office currently is holding more than $492 million in abandoned property.