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Press Release

For Immediate Release
 July 6, 2009

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

FBI Releases 2008 Bank Crime Statistics

Today the FBI released bank crime statistics for calendar year 2008. Between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2008, there were 6,700 robberies of financial institutions*, as well as 121 burglaries and 28 larcenies reported. This represents 6,849 reported violations of the Federal Bank Robbery and Incidental Crimes Statute.

“While the statistics released today show a slight decrease from the 6,933 reported violations in 2007, we recognize that these crimes take a serious financial toll on the community,” said Assistant Director Kevin Perkins, FBI Criminal Investigative Division. "The FBI remains committed to working with local authorities and bank officials to catch bank bandits and prevent bank crimes from occurring."

Highlights of the report include the following:

  • Of the 6,849 total reported violations, loot was taken in 6,225 incidents (91 percent).
  • The total amount taken was valued at more than $61.9 million.
  • A note was used in 3,833 incidents; a firearm was used in 1,734 incidents; and robbers threatened the use of a weapon in 2,839 incidents.
  • Acts of violence were committed during 293 (4 percent) of the reported incidents. These acts included 78 instances involving the discharge of firearms, 171 instances involving assaults, and 53 instances of hostage situations.
  • Twenty-one deaths occurred during this reporting period, including 17 perpetrators, one employee, and three deaths classified as “other.” No law enforcement officers were killed responding to bank crimes incidents in 2008.
  • Most violations occurred on Friday. Regardless of the day of the week, violations between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. were the most common.

These statistics were recorded as of April 23, 2009. 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 United States.

View the detailed report and learn more about the FBI at www.fbi.gov.

* Financial institutions include commercial banks, mutual savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions

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