Hardly a day seems to go by without a report on the local news of a bank or other financial establishment being held up or robbed. But what is the true incidence of crime at US financial institutions? When you deposit your check, are you more or less safe depending on the time of day or day of the week?

The bank crime statistics report from the FBI provides a detailed picture of criminal activity involving financial institutions (which include commercial banks, mutual savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions). This infographic highlights some of the key takeaways from this report, including where bank crime occurs, when it occurs, and by what means it is executed.

For example, did you know that in 2011 (the latest year for which complete data is available) there were over 5,000 bank robberies and other bank crimes nationwide in the US? And that despite being a common theme in movies, there was only one crime involving an armored vehicle transporting money?

Bank Crime in the USA Infographic

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Bank Crimes by Type of Financial Institution

  • Commercial banks – 4,555 (89%)
  • Credit Unions – 413 (8%)
  • Savings & Loan Associations – 108 (2%)
  • Mutual Savings Banks 16 – (0.3%)
  • Armored Carrier Companies – 1 (0.02%)

Cash Stolen and Recovered

A total of $44,732,990 in cash was stolen during 2011. Cash was stolen in 89% of bank crimes. $8,926,351 in cash was recovered. In fact, full or partial recovery was reported by law enforcement agencies in only 20% of crimes.

When Do Bank Crimes Occur?

Bank crimes by time of day:

  • 6–9 a.m. – 172 (4%)
  • 9–11 a.m. – 1,437 (28%)
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. – 1,131 (22%)
  • 1–3 p.m. – 1,028 (20%)
  • 3–6 p.m. – 1,128 (22%)
  • 6 p.m. – 6 a.m. – 189 (4%)

Bank crimes by day of week:

  • Sunday – 69 (1%)
  • Monday – 858 (17%)
  • Tuesday – 922 (18%)
  • Wednesday – 842 (17%)
  • Thursday – 885 (18%)
  • Friday – 1,042 (21%)
  • Saturday – 403 (8%)

Where Do Bank Crimes Occur?

Incidents by financial institution area:

  • Counter – 4,870 (90%)
  • Vault/safe – 215 (4%)
  • Office area – 149 (3%)
  • ATM – 51 (0.9%)
  • Drive through – 47 (0.9%)
  • Armored Truck – 2 (0.04%)

Security Devices Used or Activated During Crimes

Note: more than one security device can be activated during a bank crime.

  • Surveillance cameras – 4,929 (97%)
  • Alarm system –4,562 (90%)
  • Bait money – 1,606 (32%)
  • Tear gas /dye packs – 478 (9%)
  • Electronic tracking – 299 (6%)
  • Security guards – 197 (4%)

How Are Bank Crimes Committed?

  • Demand note – 2,958 (31%)
  • Oral demand – 2,678 (28%)
  • Weapon threat1 – 2,331 (25%)
  • Firearm – 1,242 (13%)
  • Explosive – 154 (3%)
  • Till theft – 72 (1%)
  • Other weapons2 – 31 (0.3%)
  • Vault/safe theft – 22 (0.2%)

1 includes cases where a weapon was threatened or implied but not actually observed.
2 includes knives, other cutting instruments, hypodermic needles, etc.

Bank Robberies by State

Alabama: 52
Alaska: 12
Arizona: 210
Arkansas: 32
California: 700
Colorado: 172
Connecticut: 75
Delaware: 30
District of Columbia: 19
Florida: 214
Georgia: 146
Hawaii: 10
Idaho: 5
Illinois: 153
Indiana: 95
Iowa: 22
Kansas: 51
Kentucky: 55
Louisiana: 52
Maine: 3
Maryland: 155
Michigan: 141
Minnesota: 58
Mississippi: 27
Missouri: 111
Montana: 5
Nebraska: 13
Nevada: 57
New Hampshire: 23
New Jersey: 122
New Mexico: 47
New York: 342
North Carolina: 126
North Dakota: 4
Ohio: 243
Oklahoma: 66
Oregon: 96
Pennsylvania: 212
Rhode Island: 10
South Carolina: 75
South Dakota: 4
Tennessee: 80
Texas: 296
Utah: 30
Vermont: 2
Virginia: 135
West Virginia: 16
Wisconsin: 82
Wyoming: 6
Massachusetts: 220
Washington: 155