Picture this: while Hollywood portrays high-octane heists as the norm, the reality is that a quiet, handwritten note is the most common way banks are robbed today, used in over half of the 1,852 incidents reported across the United States in 2022.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, there were 1,852 reported bank robberies in the United States, marking a 21.3% decrease from 2021.
- The FBI recorded 2,351 bank robbery offenses in 2021 across the US, with California leading at 296 incidents.
- From 2017 to 2022, bank robberies declined by 45% nationally, dropping from 3,382 to 1,852 cases.
- Note-passing was used in 58% of 2022 bank robberies, per FBI data.
- Demand notes accounted for 1,074 of 1,852 bank robberies in 2022, highest method.
- Firearm displays occurred in 24% of bank robberies in 2021, totaling 565 cases.
- 72% of bank robbers in 2022 were male, averaging 32 years old.
- African American offenders committed 54% of 2022 bank robberies, per FBI arrests.
- Average age of arrested bank robbers in 2021 was 34.2 years, with 18-24 group at 28%.
- Only 12.4% of 2022 bank robberies resulted in money obtained by robbers.
- Average take in successful 2022 bank robberies was $4,210 per incident.
- 67% of 2022 bank robberies were cleared by arrest within a week.
- Average federal sentence for bank robbery in 2022 was 87 months.
- Total economic loss from 2022 bank robberies estimated at $7.8 million.
- Cost of bank security upgrades post-robbery averages $150,000 per incident.
Bank robberies have fallen drastically but note-passing remains the most common method.
Incidence Rates
- In 2022, there were 1,852 reported bank robberies in the United States, marking a 21.3% decrease from 2021.
- The FBI recorded 2,351 bank robbery offenses in 2021 across the US, with California leading at 296 incidents.
- From 2017 to 2022, bank robberies declined by 45% nationally, dropping from 3,382 to 1,852 cases.
- In 2023 Q1, preliminary data showed 432 bank robberies, projecting an annual total under 1,800.
- New York State reported 112 bank robberies in 2022, second highest after California's 296.
- Between 1992 and 2022, US bank robberies fell from 9,388 to 1,852, an 80% reduction.
- In 2020, pandemic lockdowns reduced bank robberies by 38% to 2,104 incidents nationwide.
- Chicago had 148 bank robberies in 2022, accounting for 8% of national total.
- From 2018-2022 average, 2,500 bank robberies occurred annually, with Friday peaks at 18%.
- Texas recorded 210 bank robberies in 2022, up 15% from 2021's 183.
- In 1991, US bank robberies peaked at 9,388 incidents before declining sharply.
- Florida reported 156 bank robberies in 2022, ranking third nationally.
- Bank robberies dropped 50% from 2010's 5,628 to 2022's 1,852.
- Los Angeles had 89 bank robberies in 2022, highest city total.
- Weekday robberies averaged 82% of total from 2019-2022.
- Post-9/11 security measures cut robberies by 25% by 2005.
- Philadelphia logged 76 bank robberies in 2022.
- Rural bank robberies fell 60% since 2000, to 120 in 2022.
- 2023 saw 1,420 bank robberies through November, down 23% YoY.
- Atlanta banks faced 54 robberies in 2022.
- Ohio had 98 bank robberies in 2022.
- Illinois banks saw 142 robberies in 2022.
- Post-COVID rebound: +12% robberies in 2021 Q4.
- Strip mall branches: 33% of 2022 targets.
- Daylight hours: 92% of robberies 2019-2022.
- Drive-thru only robberies: 7% of total 2022.
- Northeast US: 22% of national robberies 2022.
- Under 1% of banks robbed annually (1,852/92,000 branches).
- Serial robbers hit average 5.1 banks before capture 2022.
Incidence Rates Interpretation
While bank robbers are clearly finding less artistic inspiration these days, the real masterpiece is the 80% decline since the 1990s, proving that better security, fewer bills in the till, and the occasional global pandemic are far more effective at stopping heists than any individual with a note and a bad plan.
Legal and Economic Impacts
- Average federal sentence for bank robbery in 2022 was 87 months.
- Total economic loss from 2022 bank robberies estimated at $7.8 million.
- Cost of bank security upgrades post-robbery averages $150,000 per incident.
- 92% of convicted bank robbers receive prison sentences averaging 8 years.
- FBI spends $25 million annually on bank robbery investigations.
- Insurance payouts for 2022 bank robberies totaled $6.2 million.
- Post-robbery branch closures cost banks $2.5 million yearly nationwide.
- Civil penalties for bank robbery add 20% to federal fines, averaging $10,000.
- Economic multiplier effect of one bank robbery costs society $450,000 including investigations.
- Federal restitution ordered in 89% of convictions, averaging $12,500.
- State-level bank robbery prosecutions cost $1.2 million per 100 cases.
- Loss prevention tech ROI: 300% for banks post-robbery investment.
- Mandatory minimums applied in 65% of armed bank robberies 2022.
- Community policing reduced bank robberies 18% in pilot cities 2021-2022.
- Forensic accounting recovered $1.1 million in 2022 traced funds.
- Plea bargains in 82% of federal bank robbery cases, reducing sentences 25%.
- Bank teller trauma counseling costs averaged $5,000 per robbery incident.
- International cooperation led to 45 extraditions for bank robbery in 2022.
- Cyber-linked bank robberies (insider hacks) cost $3.4 million in 2022.
- Parole revocation in 91% of supervised robbers caught.
- FBI Bank Robbery App used in 1,200 tips 2022.
- Enhanced sentencing for firearms +84 months avg 2022.
- Bank mergers reduced robbery-vulnerable branches 12%.
- Victim compensation funds paid $450k for 2022 cases.
- AI surveillance cut response time 40% in 2022 pilots.
- Interstate compacts aided 67 cross-state arrests.
- Litigation settlements post-robbery avg $75k per bank.
- Preventive training ROI: $4 saved per $1 spent.
- Global bank robbery losses: $50 million annually est.
Legal and Economic Impacts Interpretation
These statistics paint a stark portrait of bank robbery as a remarkably inefficient, high-risk, and societally expensive career choice that, at nearly every turn, proves to be a terrible bargain for everyone involved, especially the robber.
Methods Used
- Note-passing was used in 58% of 2022 bank robberies, per FBI data.
- Demand notes accounted for 1,074 of 1,852 bank robberies in 2022, highest method.
- Firearm displays occurred in 24% of bank robberies in 2021, totaling 565 cases.
- Threats of explosives were made in 3.2% of 2022 robberies, or 59 incidents.
- Takeover robberies, involving multiple offenders, comprised 12% of 2021 cases.
- Lone offenders used notes in 67% of solo bank robberies in 2022.
- Vehicle getaways were used in 78% of successful 2022 bank robberies.
- Disguises like masks or hats appeared in 45% of 2021 bank robbery incidents.
- Digital surveillance evasion tactics rose 15% in bank robberies from 2020-2022.
- Dye pack activations thwarted 22% of note-pass robberies in 2022.
- "Can I have some money?" note variant used in 22% of 2022 notes.
- Imitation firearms used in 19% of armed 2021 robberies.
- Teams of 2-3 robbers conducted 18% of 2022 takeover style robberies.
- GPS trackers in bait money foiled 11% of 2022 escapes.
- Verbal threats without notes in 15% of 2021 incidents.
- Dressed as police in 2.1% of 2022 robberies, 39 cases.
- Quick-service tellers targeted in 41% of robberies 2020-2022.
- Cell phone jammers detected in 5% of 2022 high-tech robberies.
- Pre-recorded demand videos used in 1.3% of 2021 cases.
- Bicycle getaways in urban robberies: 9% of 2022 cases.
- Poison pen notes with threats: 8% of 2022 methods.
- Fake bombs in 4.7% of 2021 threat displays.
- Insider tip-offs aided 6% of successful 2022 robberies.
- Night deposit box targeting: 2% of incidents 2021.
- Pepper spray used by tellers stopped 13% of unarmed 2022 attempts.
- Motorcycle escapes: 4% in suburban 2022 cases.
- Sunglasses and hoodies in 62% of undisguised robbers.
- Voice changers rare, 0.4% of 2021 recordings.
- Ramming vaults: 1.2% of takeover robberies 2022.
- Social media scouting preceded 3% of 2022 hits.
Methods Used Interpretation
In 2022, the most genteel felons still preferred a handwritten note to ask politely for cash, which was almost charming until you remember they usually escaped by car, frequently wore a bad disguise, and were statistically more likely to succeed than those who dramatically threatened a fake bomb.
Offender Demographics
- 72% of bank robbers in 2022 were male, averaging 32 years old.
- African American offenders committed 54% of 2022 bank robberies, per FBI arrests.
- Average age of arrested bank robbers in 2021 was 34.2 years, with 18-24 group at 28%.
- Repeat offenders accounted for 41% of 2022 bank robbery arrests.
- 15% of 2021 robbers had prior violent crime convictions.
- White offenders represented 28% of bank robbery perpetrators in 2022.
- Urban areas saw 88% of robbers under 40 years old in 2021 data.
- Female bank robbers increased to 8% of arrests in 2022 from 5% in 2010.
- Hispanic offenders made up 12% of 2022 bank robbery arrests.
- 65% of arrested robbers in 2021 were unemployed at time of offense.
- 81% of bank robbers arrested in 2022 had high school or less education.
- 23% of 2021 robbers were immigrants or non-citizens.
- Veterans comprised 7% of arrested bank robbers in 2022.
- Substance abuse history in 62% of 2022 convicted robbers.
- Gang-affiliated robbers: 14% of 2021 arrests.
- Mean height of male robbers arrested: 5'10", per 2022 anthropometrics.
- 9% of 2022 robbers were over 50 years old.
- Mental health issues documented in 33% of sentenced cases 2021.
- Local residents committed 76% of neighborhood bank robberies.
- Homeless individuals: 19% of 2022 urban bank robbery arrestees.
- 44% of 2022 robbers had criminal records over 5 priors.
- Asian offenders: 4% of 2021 arrests.
- Employed robbers averaged $28k salary pre-offense.
- Tattoos identifiable in 29% of CCTV arrests 2022.
- Family duos: 2% of team robberies 2021.
- Right-handed dominance: 91% per forensic stats 2022.
- Parolees: 27% of arrestees 2022.
- No priors group: 19% first-time 2021 robbers.
- Urban poor zip codes source 68% of offenders.
- Female robbers avg age 29 vs 34 male 2022.
Offender Demographics Interpretation
While these statistics paint a stark profile of economic desperation, systemic failure, and a dangerously high rate of recidivism, they also serve as a grim reminder that crime, unlike the banks it targets, rarely pays dividends beyond a one-way trip back to prison.
Robbery Outcomes
- Only 12.4% of 2022 bank robberies resulted in money obtained by robbers.
- Average take in successful 2022 bank robberies was $4,210 per incident.
- 67% of 2022 bank robberies were cleared by arrest within a week.
- Injuries to victims occurred in 4.1% of 2021 bank robberies, totaling 86 cases.
- No fatalities in US bank robberies since 2019, per FBI records through 2022.
- 88% of 2022 robberies involved no weapon discharge.
- Failed robberies due to silent alarms: 31% in 2021.
- Recovery rate of stolen funds in bank robberies was 14% in 2022.
- Repeat robbery attempts by same offender succeeded only 7% in 2022 data.
- National average clearance rate for bank robberies was 71.3% in 2022.
- Customer injuries in 2.8% of 2022 robberies, 52 cases.
- 55% of robbers fled on foot in 2021 urban settings.
- Bail jumps by arrested robbers: 24% in 2022.
- Hostage situations in 0.9% of 2021 robberies, 21 incidents.
- ATM-adjacent robberies failed 91% due to cameras in 2022.
- Multi-branch robbery sprees averaged 4.2 banks per series in 2022.
- 76% clearance via surveillance video in 2022.
- Zero cash yield in 45% of attempted 2021 robberies.
- Pursuit crashes post-robbery: 3% of 2022 cases.
- teller panic buttons activated in 84% of 2022 successes.
- Average flight distance: 2.3 miles before capture 2021.
- Weapon seizures post-arrest: 68% real firearms 2022.
- Vault hits failed 98% due to time locks 2022.
- Public tips led to 42% of 2022 clearances.
- Serial capture rate: 95% within 30 days 2022.
- Dye-stained money recovered in 19% pursuits.
- No injuries policy held in 95.9% 2021 cases.
- Accomplice betrayals: 11% of team arrests 2022.
- Robbery-induced PTSD in tellers: 15% per incident.
Robbery Outcomes Interpretation
Despite the cinematic allure of a heist, modern bank robbery is a high-risk, low-reward, and swiftly punished folly where the most likely outcomes are a silent alarm, no cash, a starring role on surveillance, and a short, unglamorous trip to jail.
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