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    Issue of Interest: Bank Robbery

    ABA Media Contact: Ryan Zagone
    (202) 663-5470                                                                      
    E-mail:     rzagone@aba.com                                          Last updated: November 14, 2011

    All banks are required to have rigorous physical security programs, and a bank's top priority will always be the safety of their customers and employees during a robbery attempt.

    Robbery deterrence efforts on the part of financial institutions continue to be a balancing act between creating a welcoming environment and maintaining stringent security measures.  Fortunately, a well-trained staff, sophisticated alarm systems, high-tech cameras and other tracking devices have been effective in helping law enforcement officials catch bank robbers. 

    To deter bank robberies, our industry recognizes the value in maintaining an active and ongoing partnership with law enforcement. As a result, 60 percent of bank robbers are caught within 18 months of their crime, according to the FBI.

    ABA Resources

    Statistics

    Bank robberies across the nation have fluctuated over the past 20 years and typically increase during recessions.  For instance, bank robberies increased in 1992, following the 1990-1991 recession, declined, then rose again during the 2001 recession. Incidents rose in 2008, however, due to a continued focus on customer and employee safety and advances in security and other safeguards, robberies have since declined.

     

     

    Historical bank robbery data: PDF

     

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