The Financial Brand

Bank Branch Robberies on Decline Despite Rotten Economy

By Jeffry Pilcher

Published on September 23rd, 2010 in Branch Strategies

Banks still build fortresses even though better options exist

Take a look at the FBI’s latest data on robberies of financial institutions for April 1 through June 30, 2010 (tables below). Despite the roughest economy seen in decades, overall robberies are actually on the decline (1,146 in Q2 2010 vs. 1,278 in the same period a year prior, down 10%).

The presence of security guards failed to prevent 49 robberies, while 137 financial institutions were robbed despite having bullet-resistant enclosures. Alarms were available but not activated in 9% of crimes. Cameras weren’t on in 1.9% of robberies. Bait money was only used 60% of the time. Dye packs were only used 52%.

Acts of violence were committed during 58 (5%) of the 1,146 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies which occurred during the three-month period. These acts included 14 instances where firearms were discharged, 39 assaults, and five hostage situations. (Note: one or more acts of violence may occur during an incident.) The total number of incidents in which injuries occurred was 16. These acts of violence resulted in 23 injuries, five deaths, and nine persons taken hostage.

Key Takeaways: The fear of robberies — especially those resulting in injury or death — far exceeds the actual number that occur. Not all branches are equally likely to be robbed. Location, design and staffing all impact a robber’s decision to hit your facilities or not. For instance, the closer you locate tellers to the entrance, the more likely you are to get robbed. Despite what many bankers believe, building fortresses loaded with security devices does not stop some robbers. Even branches stuffed with alarms, security guards and bullet-resistant glass get robbed. The most effective method for preventing robberies is simply greeting everyone with a "hello" when they enter your branches.

If you want to create a secure environment in your branches without undermining the quality of the customer experience, please take the time to read these articles:

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Violations by Type of Institution

Grand Total – All Violations: 1,146

RobberiesBurglariesLarcenies
Commercial Banks1,013100
Mutual Savings Banks1100
Savings and Loan Associations2600
Credit Unions8510
Total1,135110

Loot Taken

Loot was taken in 1,041 (91%) of the 1,146 incidents.

Cash$8,422,761.81
Securities—Face Value–
Checks (Including Traveler’s Checks)$4,130.45
Food Stamps–
Other Property–
Total$8,426,892.26

Loot Recovered

Full or partial recovery of loot taken was reported by law enforcement agencies in 221 (21%) of the 1,041 incidents in which loot was taken.

Cash$1,282,899.18
Securities Face Value–
Checks (Including Traveler’s Checks)$4,130.45
Food Stamps–
Other Property–
Total$1,287,029.63

Number, Race, and Sex of Perpetrators

The number of persons known to be involved in the 1,146 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies was 1,364. The following table shows a breakdown of the 1,364 persons who have been identified by race and sex. In 19 cases, the use of full disguise made determination of race and sex impossible.

WhiteBlackHispanicOtherUnknown
Male549572821835
Female5228342

Investigations have resulted in the identification of 554 (41%) of the 1,364 persons involved. Of these 554 identified persons, 186 (34%) were users of narcotics and 78 (14%) were previously convicted in either federal or state court for bank robbery, bank burglary or bank larceny.

Occurrences by Day of Week and Time of Day

Monday2176-9 a.m.25
Tuesday2089-11 a.m.354
Wednesday18611 a.m.-1 p.m.251
Thursday1991-3 p.m.255
Friday2233-6 p.m.228
Saturday946 p.m.-6 a.m.32
Sunday5Not Determined1
Not Determined14
Total1,146Total1,146

Type of Financial Institution Office

Main Office34
Branch Office1,095
Store11
Remote Facility/Other6
Total1,146

Location of Financial Institution Office

Commercial District747
Shopping Center285
Residential74
Other Location40
Total1,146

Community Type

Metropolitan560
Suburban206
Small City/Town361
Rural19
Total1,146

Institutional Areas Involved

Counter1,104Night Depository0
Vault/Safe54ATM1
Safe Deposit Area3Courier/Messenger0
Office Area34Armored Vehicle9
Drive-In/Walk-Up8Other9

Security Devices Installed

Alarm System1,130
Surveillance Cameras1,134
Bait Money720
Guards54
Tear Gas/Dye Packs266
Electronic Tracking133
Bullet-Resistant Enclosures137

Security Devices In Use During Crimes

Alarms were available but not activated in 9% of crimes. Cameras weren’t on in 1.9% of all crimes. Bait money was only used 60% of the time. Dye packs were only used 52%. The presences of security guards failed to prevent 49 robberies, while 137 financial institutions were robbed despite having bullet-resistant enclosures.

Alarm System Activated1,051
Surveillance Cameras Activated1,113
Bait Money Taken429
Guards on Duty49
Tear Gas/Dye Packs Taken138
Electronic Tracking Activated71

Modus Operandi

Demand Note Used622
Firearm Used293
Handgun288
Other Firearm12
Other Weapon Used27
Weapon Threatened497
Explosive Device Used or Threatened32
Oral Demand622
Vault or Safe Theft4
Depository Trap Device0
Till Theft23
Takeover66

Injuries, Deaths, and Hostages Taken

Acts of violence were committed during 58 (5%) of the 1,146 robberies, burglaries, and larcenies which occurred during the three-month period. These acts included 14 instances where firearms were discharged, 39 assaults, and five hostage situations. (Note: one or more acts of violence may occur during an incident.) The total number of incidents in which injuries occurred was 16. These acts of violence resulted in 23 injuries, five deaths, and nine persons taken hostage.

Customer2
Employee18
Employee Family0
Perpetrator0
Law Officer1
Guard0
Other2
Total23

Deaths

Number of incidents in which deaths occurred: 4.

Customer0
Employee0
Employee Family0
Perpetrator3
Law Officer0
Guard0
Other2
Total5

Hostages Taken

Number of incidents in which hostages were taken: 5.

Customer2
Employee7
Employee Family0
Law Officer0
Guard0
Other0
Total9
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