With more people using mobile banking, the footprint for bank branches has shrunk by almost half, but branches aren’t going away. Wells Fargo has noted an increase in visits to branches and is prioritizing upgraded locations in metropolitan markets, according to a recent interview in Financial Brand.
Bank windows and counters remain the most vulnerable area in any branch, and secure transaction line systems, also known as “bandit barriers,” are still the best way to deter bank robberies.
At TSS, we’re rethinking our approach to these barrier systems so banks can have the types of consultative conversations customers increasingly expect at branches without compromising safety.
Consumer banking behavior has shifted a lot in the last decade. Bank robber behavior has shifted much less.
Criminals still mostly target smaller branch locations in cities, evenly splitting their attention between large metro areas and suburbs or small towns. They still rely almost exclusively on handguns when armed and target the teller counter more than 90% of the time.
But there have been two notable changes. First, the good news: as bank usage has gone down in general, so has bank robbery. According to FBI Bank Crime Statistics 2023 (the most recent report available) there were just 1,263 robberies at banks, credit unions, and other financial institutions that year, around one-third as many as in 2013.
The bad news is that bank robbers have become much more brazen.
If you browse FBI bank crime statistics, you’ll see that over the last decade, bank robbers have become three times more likely to try to rob a bank that has an armed guard on site. Fortunately, the same data show that over the past 10 years ballistic barriers seem to have grown even more effective at deterring robberies.
Ten years ago, about one out of every six bank robberies targeted a location that had a bandit barrier. Today, it’s fewer than one out of every 12.
Regardless of the industry, ballistic security for buildings starts with an understanding of the UL 752 standard for specifying bullet-resistant materials and systems. The 11th edition of this standard includes 10 levels:
Everyone understandably wants the highest level of security for their facility, but overspecification is expensive because of the weight, thickness, and hardness of materials required to stop higher firepower. For example, a Level 8 glass storefront door will stop sprays of gunfire from a military-style rifle, but it’s also four inches thick and weighs over 500 pounds.
Given the overwhelming use of handguns in bank robberies, we typically recommend banks build their barriers using UL Level 1, 2, or 3 materials.
For decades, banks used ballistic acrylic, the lightest and clearest glazing option, which stops shots from the handguns most commonly used in armed robberies.
In recent years, we’re seeing a shift toward Level 3 glazing and framing, as well as glazing that meets common standards for forced entry. This might be justified if you are worried about civil unrest or prolonged attempts to force entry during business hours.
Beyond stopping bullets, the right bank teller window should support your broader goals of creating a welcoming environment and maintaining efficient operations. Clear communication, open sightlines, and the ability to complete transactions efficiently are important design considerations along with ballistic protection level.
Over the course of thousands of bank installations, we’ve discovered three designs that meet security needs while balancing aesthetics and functionality.
The baffle window uses an offset glazing system with a wide central panel. It gives an unobstructed view of the teller, making it ideal for banks prioritizing a welcoming, connected customer experience.
In a baffle system, the edges of the pieces of glazing overlap with a significant air gap. This permits natural sound transfer around each panel without creating a clear shooting angle into the secure side of the barrier.
The hole and backer is the traditional teller window style. This typically consists of a voice port at mouth level protected by a backer to allow for reliable voice transmission while maintaining good face visibility.
Hole-and-backer windows create more visual clutter than a baffle window, but they are a good choice for banks with busy counters and high daily transaction volume where consistent, predictable performance matters most.
Arched teller windows strike a balance. Like the baffle window, you get a largely unobstructed view of the teller’s face and good clear sightlines for security cameras. You also benefit from clearer voice transmission, as the smaller arched backer brings the glazing overlap and air gap closer to both the speaker and listener.
Regardless of which teller window style a bank chooses, every teller line also needs bullet resistant doors to control access to the protected area, ballistic fiberglass to reinforce countertops and surrounding walls, and currency trays designed to capture (not deflect) bullets. Many locations will also want a secure passer.
No two teller counters are the same, which is why every teller line barrier system we design, manufacture, and install is a custom solution. This ensures a tight fit and finish, and smooth daily operation.
We have decades of experience retrofitting existing buildings, including historic and architecturally unique buildings, with transaction areas, teller lines, and barrier systems that precisely fit their space and enhance everyone’s daily experience in addition to keeping them safe. We can craft any of our teller line ballistic barrier systems to any protection level, to meet your design, security, and operational needs.
For banks with multiple branches, we can develop a consistent specification framework that scales across locations. These solutions tend to focus primarily on the teller line, which includes ballistic fiberglass countertops, currency trays, package passers, and doors. Expanding this to include offices, flexible meeting spaces, and executive protection is typically very straightforward.
We’re accustomed to supporting architects and design teams at every stage of the specification process, from early-stage planning through submissions and installation.
We offer product specifications, guidance in precisely and accurately taking key measurements, custom fabrication, ballistic glazing documentation, and factory-trained installation crews who are ready to collaborate with your team. By fabricating all components in-house, we simplify project management and help avoid unpleasant surprises.
Whether you’re an independent architect evaluating a teller window system for a credit union or leading an internal design team specifying protection for your 40-story headquarters that also requires executive protection solutions, the process starts by talking to someone who knows how these systems work.
At TSS, we have decades of experience helping financial institutions of all sizes stay safe from armed robberies. We have completed more than 30,000 installations, including thousands of banks and credit unions.
Our experienced ballistics experts can help you determine your threat level, design a barrier, and plan for installation.
Schedule a consultation to start planning your project today.