Focus On SECURITY

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Dana Turner cautioned bankers at ABA's National School for Bank Security that each year the examiners are expected to check for certain things more carefully. In 1993, high on the list was CRA and Disaster Recovery.

This year Dana predicts the emphasis will be not only on fair lending, but also on the operations manual-all functions and all departments, including loan, EFT, etc.

"Is security up to date in all of them?" was the question he put to the bankers. "If not, now is none too soon."

He also gave the security officers a list of publications they should have in their offices. These included:
A copy of the U.S. Code
The state Criminal (Penal) Code
A dictionary
Rules and Regulations of your agency. and of the Federal Reserve
FIRREA
Your Security Program and last Report to the Board of Directors
The Uniform Commercial Code

Good Idea!
At ABA's National School for Bank Security, the question was raised on how to dispose of VCR tapes after the financial institution has used it for the scheduled time and the date for storage has passed. After the usual "cut it up"; "burn it"; "shred it"; was heard, one voice from the back of the room said, "Take it home and run a movie over it!"

Security Survey
The survey we did of our readers a few months ago was for opinions about bank secrecy reporting. We were overwhelmed with the response-we had over 200. This time we were going after hard facts, and we didn't expect a large response. We were right. We had less than 100. But we think you'll find the results of those who did answer our questions to be most interesting.

Many of you wrote comments, some of which we'll pass along-they're too good to ignore!

If you'd like to add your information to our data base, please FAX us your form. (610) 872-6231. Don't have one or can't find yours? Call and we'll FAX you one.

These figures are, of course, the result of an informal survey, and not to be taken as a formal, statistical analysis. We'll be reporting on other questions in the survey in the next few issues. Q. What percentage of your work is dedicated to security?

A. Only 8.8% said they spent 100% of the time on security matters. They were, of course, the larger of the financial institutions. Seven of our respondents who reported $250 million or less in assets said they spent 5% or less of their time dedicated to security. One of them answered 2%!

The average time spent dedicated to security was 32.76%.

Back To The Branch!
Bankers' Hotline advisor Bill Wipprecht had an interesting observation about our ATMs. Bill is Director of Security for Wells Fargo and is responsible for 624 branches. Speaking on branch banking in general, he said, "Ten years ago we were forcing customers out to the ATM, trying to get them out of the branches. Our branches were open about 25 hours a week-9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

"Now we spend thousands of dollars in advertising trying to get them back into the branches, which are now open 48 to 60 hours a week. In order to get to the teller in the back, they have to pass the mutual funds desk, the car loan desk, the mortgage desk and the savings and CD desk. While waiting in line we hit them with a TV commercial about safe deposit boxes, and then try to sell them a Christmas or Vacation Club on the way out the door."

Bank Robbery Stats
According to a Special Agent from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the typical bank robber is now a white male, under the age of 30-more often under age 25.

Thirty five percent (35%) of all bank robberies now involve guns-most of the rest are note passing incidents.

There were 150 reported robberies in 1930.

Thirty years later, there were 450 in 1960.

Thirty years after that, in 1990, as well as in 1991 and 1992, there were about 10,000 each year.

Three Years
During 1990, 1991 and 1992 the numbers of acts of violence during bank robbery showed little change.

In 1990 there were 254 acts of violence, where persons were mugged, shot, or injured. 25 people died, 49 were taken hostage.

In 1991 there were 338 acts of violence, 27 died, 135 were taken hostage.

In 1992 there were 393 acts of violence, 18 died, 118 were taken hostage.

On the other hand, in Los Angeles, which is still the bank robbery capital of the United States, (25% of all bank robberies take place in the greater Los Angeles area) recorded in 1991 there were 4 robberies involving shots being fired, and 5 assaults.

In 1992 Los Angeles had 43 robberies involving shots, and 64 assaults.

Copyright © 1994 Bankers' Hotline. Originally appeared in Bankers' Hotline, Vol. 4, No. 9, 3/94