Bank robbery, once romanticized in Hollywood films, has become increasingly rare in the United States. In 2023, the FBI reported just 1,362 bank robberies — the lowest number on record since before 1990. This marks an 83% decline from the peak of 9,540 robberies in 1992.
Despite the declining numbers, bank robbery remains a serious federal crime with severe consequences. Most robbers net less than $5,000, face a nearly 60% chance of getting caught, and risk up to 20 years in federal prison. Here's what the latest FBI data reveals.
Key Takeaways
- 1,362 bank robberies occurred in 2023 — the lowest since 1990
- Bank robberies have declined 83% since the 1992 peak
- 60% of bank robbers are caught within 18 months
- The average bank robbery netted $7,500 (FBI stopped tracking in 2014)
- California had the most robberies in 2023 with 192 incidents
- 70% of robberies use a demand note instead of a weapon
- 2023 was the first year with zero deaths from bank robberies
How Many Bank Robberies Happen Each Year?
1. Only 1,362 bank robberies were reported to the FBI in 2023
This is the lowest number of bank robberies reported since before 1990. The dramatic decline reflects improved security technology, reduced cash handling, and the high arrest rate that deters would-be robbers.
2. Bank robberies have declined 83% over the past 20 years
The decline far exceeds the 50% drop in all robbery types reported to the FBI over the same period. Experts attribute this to dye packs, GPS trackers, surveillance cameras, and reduced teller cash limits.
3. Only 2 out of every 100 robberies in the US target a bank
Bank robberies are actually rare compared to other robbery types. Street robberies, convenience store holdups, and residential robberies are far more common.
4. Bank robberies decreased 8.9% in 2024 compared to 2023
The FBI's 2024 report shows robbery — including bank robbery — continued its downward trend. Violent crime overall dropped 4.5% compared to the previous year.
How Often Do Bank Robberies Occur?
5. Approximately 3.7 banks are robbed every day in the United States
Based on the 2023 figure of 1,362 annual robberies, that works out to about 26 bank robberies per week or 113 per month. This is down from 26 per day during the early 1990s peak.
6. The average bank robbery takes less than 5 minutes from start to finish
Modern bank robberies are quick affairs. Most robbers enter, pass a demand note, take whatever cash the teller provides, and leave within 2-3 minutes. Longer robberies significantly increase arrest risk.
Quick Exit: FBI data shows the average bank robber spends less than 5 minutes inside the bank. For every additional minute spent, the probability of arrest increases substantially.
How Many Bank Robberies Are Successful?
7. About 90% of bank robberies are initially "successful" in taking money
While most robbers do leave the bank with some cash, this doesn't mean they get away with the crime. Only about 10% of robbery attempts fail to obtain any money at all.
8. Less than 3% of bank robberies net more than $50,000
Hollywood's depiction of massive heists is pure fiction. The overwhelming majority of bank robbers leave with a few thousand dollars at most — hardly worth the risk of federal prison.
9. About 25% of bank robberies fail within a year
Even if a robber initially escapes, the FBI's investigation often catches up. Between dye packs exploding, GPS tracking, surveillance footage, and witness identification, one in four robbers is caught within 12 months.
How Many Bank Robberies Go Unsolved?
10. The FBI solves approximately 60% of all bank robberies
Bank robbery has one of the highest clearance rates of any crime — second only to murder in federal cases. This is significantly higher than burglary (14%), larceny (18%), or even murder (54%).
11. One-third of bank robbers are caught the same day
Between surveillance footage, witness descriptions, and modern tracking technology, 33% of bank robbers are arrested within hours of the crime. Another 17% are caught within the first 30 days.
12. 15% of bank robbers are apprehended at the scene
Police response times, silent alarms, and dye pack explosions result in many robbers being caught before they can even leave the parking lot.
13. It takes up to 18 months to catch 75% of bank robbers who are eventually arrested
While many are caught quickly, some investigations take longer. The FBI's bank robbery task forces continue pursuing leads for months or years after the initial crime.
| Time to Arrest | Percentage Caught |
|---|---|
| At the scene | 15% |
| Same day | 33% |
| Within 30 days | 50% |
| Within 18 months | 75% |
| Eventually caught | 60% |
14. 93% of bank robbers tried in federal court are convicted
Once arrested, bank robbers face near-certain conviction. Multiple witnesses, surveillance footage, demand notes with fingerprints and DNA, and dye-stained evidence make these cases highly prosecutable.
What Is the Average Bank Robbery Take?
15. The FBI stopped reporting monetary figures in 2014
The last official data shows bank robberies averaged $9,600 per incident from 2003-2008, dropping to around $7,500 from 2009-2013. Current average amounts are no longer tracked in FBI reports.
16. Some bank robbers steal as little as $650
FBI criminal complaint reviews show hauls ranging from just $650 to $4,000. The "big score" depicted in movies almost never happens in reality.
17. Bank robberies cost banks an average of $10,000 per incident
Beyond the actual stolen cash, banks incur costs from investigation, security upgrades, employee counseling, and business disruption. The total impact far exceeds the amount taken.
18. Only 20% of stolen bank money is ever recovered
Despite high arrest rates, most of the cash stolen in bank robberies is spent, hidden, or destroyed before authorities can recover it. Dye packs ruin additional funds.
High Risk, Low Reward: FBI Denver's Special Agent Mark Michalek calls bank robbery "a high-risk, low-reward type of crime" with "an unrealistic view that you're going to get a ton of money or that you're going to get away with it."
What Methods Do Bank Robbers Use?
19. 70% of bank robbers use a demand note
The majority of modern bank robberies are "note jobs" — the robber simply passes a written note to the teller demanding money. This method is quieter and less likely to trigger armed response.
20. About half of bank robberies involve a weapon or threat of one
In 2016, 2,361 robberies involved a threatened weapon, while 590 actually showed a firearm. The presence of a weapon adds 5-8 years to federal sentencing.
21. 95% of bank robberies are committed by lone individuals
The sophisticated multi-person heist teams portrayed in movies are extremely rare. Most bank robbers act alone to minimize complexity and reduce the chance of being identified through accomplices.
22. Only about 10% of bank robbers use any form of disguise
Despite the risks, most bank robbers don't bother with masks, wigs, or other disguises. This makes identification from surveillance footage much easier for investigators.
23. About 5% of bank robberies involve insider assistance
Employee involvement in bank robberies is rare but does occur. Inside information about cash handling, security procedures, and alarm systems can help plan more sophisticated heists.
How Dangerous Are Bank Robberies?
24. 2023 was the first year on record with zero deaths from bank robberies
For the first time in FBI record-keeping history, no one — neither customers, employees, nor robbers — died during a bank robbery in 2023. This reflects the shift toward non-violent "note job" robberies.
25. Injuries occur in only about 2% of bank robberies
According to the Sourcebook of Criminal Justice Statistics, violent incidents during bank robberies are rare. Most robbers want to get in and out quickly without confrontation.
26. In 2016, there were 43 injuries and 8 deaths — 7 of which were robbers
The majority of deaths in bank robberies are actually the perpetrators themselves, killed during police response, shootouts, or subsequent pursuit.
| Violence Metric (2016) | Number |
|---|---|
| Violent incidents | 146 |
| Firearms discharged | 43 |
| Assaults | 72 |
| Hostages taken | 31 |
| Injuries | 43 |
| Deaths (7 robbers) | 8 |
Which States Have the Most Bank Robberies?
27. California led the nation with 192 bank robberies in 2023
California consistently has the most bank robberies in absolute numbers, followed by Illinois (116 in 2023). However, when adjusted for population, other states have higher rates.
28. Colorado has the highest bank robbery rate per capita
Despite having only 5.8 million people, Colorado had 155 bank robberies in 2022 — nearly 10% of all bank robberies nationwide. The Denver metro area is a particular hotspot.
29. Houston leads Texas with 104 bank robberies in 2020
The Houston metropolitan area topped Texas's list, followed by Dallas-Fort Worth with 74 robberies. Texas overall accounted for 12.4% of all US bank robberies in 2020.
30. Denver saw bank robberies drop from 151 (2021) to just 34 (2024)
Harsher sentencing and increased prosecution in Colorado resulted in a dramatic 77% reduction in Denver-area bank robberies over three years.
Who Commits Bank Robberies?
31. 61% of bank robbers are male and under 26 years old
The typical bank robber profile is a young, unemployed male. Studies from the 1970s through today consistently show this demographic dominates bank robbery statistics.
32. Most bank robbers have extensive criminal histories
Bank robbery is rarely a first offense. The majority of perpetrators have prior arrests and incarcerations. Drug addiction is also common among bank robbers, often motivating the crime.
33. 55% of bank robberies are committed by lone offenders
Analysis of 808 bank robbery incidents found 55% involved a single person, 25% involved pairs, and 20% involved three or more robbers. Larger groups are more likely to attempt sophisticated heists.
34. The majority of bank robberies are committed by amateurs
Researchers have identified four types of bank robbers: career criminals, compulsive types (often funding drug habits), casual criminals, and amateurs. Amateurs — first-time offenders with minimal planning — make up the largest group.
What Are the Penalties for Bank Robbery?
35. Federal bank robbery carries up to 20 years in prison
Under 18 U.S.C. § 2113, standard bank robbery is punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison, fines up to $250,000, or both. There's no parole in the federal system — prisoners serve 85% of their sentence.
36. Armed bank robbery increases the maximum sentence to 25 years
If you assault someone or use a deadly weapon during the robbery, the maximum penalty rises to 25 years. Simply bringing a concealed weapon — even if never shown — adds 5-8 years.
37. Bank robbery resulting in death can carry the death penalty
If anyone is killed during the robbery or escape attempt, the statutory minimum is 10 years, and the maximum is life imprisonment or the death penalty under federal law.
38. Lesser bank theft offenses carry up to 10 years in prison
Taking money from a bank without force or fear carries up to 10 years. If the stolen amount is $1,000 or less, the maximum drops to one year and fines up to $100,000.
How Has Bank Robbery Changed Over Time?
39. Bank robbery peaked at 9,540 incidents in 1992
The early 1990s represented the height of bank robbery in America, averaging around 8,800 incidents per year. Since then, the crime has steadily declined as security improved and cash became less common.
40. Bank robbery became a federal crime in 1934
Following the crime wave of the 1920s and 1930s (Bonnie and Clyde, John Dillinger), Congress made it a federal crime to rob national banks or Federal Reserve member banks, giving the FBI jurisdiction.
41. The Bank Protection Act of 1968 mandated security standards
This law required banks to install surveillance cameras, maintain minimum security standards, and report all robberies to the FBI. Despite these measures, robberies continued rising until the 1990s.
42. In 2010, over 5,600 banks were robbed, netting $42 million total
Of that $42 million, roughly $8 million was recovered — about 19%. California led with 805 robberies, followed by Texas (464), Ohio (263), and Florida (243).
Bank Robbery Statistics Summary Table
| Metric | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Annual bank robberies (2023) | 1,362 |
| Decline since 1992 peak | 83% |
| Average amount stolen | $7,500 (last reported 2013) |
| Clearance rate | 60% |
| Caught same day | 33% |
| Federal conviction rate | 93% |
| Use demand note | 70% |
| Act alone | 95% |
| Maximum sentence (standard) | 20 years |
| Deaths in 2023 | 0 |
Sources
- FBI Bank Crime Statistics Reports
- FBI 2024 Crime Statistics Report
- ASU Center for Problem-Oriented Policing - Bank Robbery
- ASIS International - FBI Bank Robbery Data
- The Disappearing American Bank Robbery - Jeff Asher
- 18 U.S. Code § 2113 - Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes
- Colorado Public Radio - Bank Robbery Reduction
- Colorado Sun - State Bank Robbery Statistics