FBI Releases Bank Crime Statistics for First Quarter of 2010

During the first quarter of 2010, there were 1,183 reported violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statue, a decrease from the 1,521 reported violations in the same quarter of 2009.¹ According to statistics released today by the FBI, there were 1,160 robberies, 21 burglaries, two larcenies, and three extortions of financial institutions² reported between January 1, 2010 and March 31, 2010.

Highlights of the report include:

• Loot was taken in 92 percent of the incidents, totaling more than $9.3 million.
• Of the loot taken, 21 percent, or more than $1.9 million, was recovered and returned to financial institutions.
• Bank crimes most frequently occurred on Friday. Regardless of the day, the time frame when bank crimes occurred most frequently was between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
• Acts of violence were committed in 3 percent of the incidents, resulting in 18 injuries, two deaths, and 35 persons being taken hostage.³
• Oral demands were the most common modus operandi used, closely followed by demand notes.⁴
• Most violations occurred in the Southern region of the U.S., with 420 reported incidents.

These statistics were recorded as of April 19, 2010. Note that not all bank crimes are reported to the FBI, and therefore the report is not a complete statistical compilation of all bank crimes that occurred in the U.S.

¹ In the first quarter of 2009, there were 1,498 robberies, 18 burglaries, five larcenies, and three extortions reported.
² Financial institutions include commercial banks, mutual savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions.
³ One or more acts of violence may occur during an incident.
⁴ More than one modus operandi may have been used during an incident.