Case Study
Bulletproofing for Financial Institutions

Every bank and credit union faces the same basic question: How much protection does this branch need? The answer looks different for a two-teller rural branch than it does for a regional headquarters with an executive suite and a boardroom full of glass walls.

TSS has worked with financial institutions of every size since 2004. Here’s a closer look at our approach to bulletproofing financial services buildings, from community banks upgrading a single transaction line to national institutions coordinating ballistic protection across dozens of branches and corporate offices.

financial institution teller bulletproofing

Physical Security for Financial Institutions Remains Critical

Financial institutions have always been a major target for theft and robbery. The National Credit Union Administration has found that visible barriers are a clear deterrent to these attempts. Some studies cited in its guidance found 85% to 90% of bank robberies target branches without “bandit barriers” (a set of transaction windows across a teller line) in place.

At the same time, security directors need to balance physical protection with architects’ goals of designing bank branches that are more open and welcoming.

Many institutions that moved to open-plan layouts to improve the customer experience left teller lines more exposed. In response, they’re going back to installing ballistic barriers that are more visible and distributed across the floor rather than in one teller line.

We can implement protection that feels more natural by creating ‘interior storefronts’ with a radius wall that uses ballistic glazing on each side of the teller line.

Protecting Tellers at Community and Regional Branches

For most community and regional banks, we recommend bandit barriers tested to UL 752 Level 1 to Level 3. That covers protection from handguns, the most common weapon used in bank robberies.

The scope tends to look similar across smaller branches, including:

Speak-thru systems for clear voice transmission, typically a baffle or arch-style system
Currency trays for passing cash and other documents through barriers
Ballistic fiberglass behind the counter so tellers have protection if they need to duck below the counter
Bullet-resistant doors leading into the teller area for new construction or major remodels
Ballistic drive-through windows, often sourced through the general contractor as part of new construction

For new construction, we build fiberglass walls directly behind the teller line rather than retrofitting them later. It's more efficient to plan for ballistic protection at the framing stage than to add it after walls are finished.

Our financial institution security planning checklist walks through timeline guidance, ADA and egress considerations, and how to balance aesthetics with protection level before you start.

Standardizing Security for Larger Banks and Multi-Branch Institutions

Larger institutions have a different challenge of ensuring consistency across many branches, often with architects, security teams, and internal design standards all weighing in on the same specification.

For institutions with a standard branch design, we work from the basis of design set by the architect and bank security team, matching glass type, barrier height, and treatment across every location. If a branch calls for open louvres to the soffit, every branch gets it. If teller lines run wall-to-wall at a fixed station size, we keep that consistent across the portfolio.

For remodels, our team compares architectural drawings against as-built conditions in the field and adjusts materials branch by branch, rather than assuming a single spec will fit every location.

In addition to the standard bandit barriers, we also typically recommend double door systems to protect vaults. These are typically solid-core wood doors paired with keypad locksets and electric strikes so tellers can release access without leaving their station.

Many larger financial institutions also need ballistic protection for their corporate headquarters and executive offices.

With a growing number of threats and several high-profile attacks making national news, the average company now spends more than $100,000 on protection for each executive, according to Barron’s research.

Partnering with a single provider who can secure bank branches and office locations alike allows organizations to take a more standardized approach to security and complete multiple projects in a systematic, efficient way.

This work typically starts with a site assessment alongside the institution's security team to identify where vulnerabilities exist.

From there, our executive protection solutions typically include:

Higher UL protection levels for windows in executive offices or floors protect specific individuals
Backglazing for leased buildings or historic spaces that don’t allow the replacement of existing windows
A secure vestibule with a set of exterior doors and a second set of interior doors, with a person or system for managing access control
All-glass ballistic doors up to UL 752 Level 3, designed to match existing architectural finishes
Safe rooms to give employees a place to hide during an active shooter event

For executives who frequently speak in public places, we can also build ballistic podiums to offer protection wherever they go.

Because we design and fabricate every solution as a custom installation, we can match your headquarters’ existing design or your architect’s specifications for a new building.

We can also retrofit security into historical buildings required to retain existing walls, ornate wainscoting, and other architectural details.In many cases, this means doing custom woodwork or building freestanding barriers, such as adding backglazing behind existing windows.

Bringing our team into the planning process early allows us to work with your architect to determine the best approach.

Building ADA Compliance Into Ballistic Upgrades

Adding ballistic barriers and complying with accessibility requirements shouldn’t be opposing mandates. Our team can help you balance physical security and ADA compliance. Ideally, we help banks do both at the same time, ensuring ballistic barriers for teller lines, transaction windows, and entryways meet specific requirements as we add them.

open concept financial institution bulletproof example

midsized financial institution bulletproofing

This includes:

Designing doors that meet required pull-force limits so they're easy to open for all users
Confirming clearances at entrances so wheelchairs and mobility devices can maneuver comfortably
Coordinating access control systems with ADA-compliant hardware
Setting transaction windows and counters, including drop-down ADA stations, at the correct height

In some cases, banks need to add ADA-compliant counters after they’ve made physical security updates. We can support these projects as well.

A Systems Approach at Any Scale

A single bullet-resistant window or door doesn't create a secure branch. Whether we're securing a small rural branch or a national headquarters, the individual components have to work together as a complete system.

Our team designs, fabricates, and installs every system in-house using the same validated process that keeps the project on track and on budget.

For most projects, we complete installation within a day, and we frequently schedule the work during weekends and holidays so your branch or office doesn’t experience any downtime.

For instance, after Peoples Bank of Kentucky experienced several robberies, we retrofitted teller counters with acrylic barriers, steel deal trays, and package passers. We also added ballistic fiberglass behind the counter so tellers could feel safer if another incident occurred. These elements matched the bank’s existing design without impacting the custom experience.

"It looks very nice and blends in well. I was worried the customers would think we were blocking them out, but I was shocked at how well you can see and hear through the new teller windows. Everything fits together seamlessly."

Mary Jane Pettit
People’s Bank of Kentucky Vice President of Marketing & Communications

BULLETPROOF COMPONENTS COMMONLY USED IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

The right combination depends on institution size and application, but these are the components most frequently specified across TSS financial industry projects:

Bullet-resistant transaction windows
Bullet-resistant deal trays
Bullet-resistant package passers
Bullet-resistant fiberglass panels
Backglazing for historic or leased spaces
Bullet-resistant doors, including vestibule/mantrap systems for corporate entries
Executive protection solutions for C-suite offices and boardrooms

One More Institution Secured

Since 2004, TSS has helped financial institutions of every size add bullet-resistant protection without compromising the customer experience their branches are built around and known for. Whether you're managing a single branch or coordinating security across a national footprint, our team can help you figure out the right protection level and design a system that fits.

Request a Consultation

TSS is ready to make your next project a success. Whether you're coming to us with engineered plans or you'd like to talk through your options, our team is on your side. Reach out to request a consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.

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About TSS

Founded in 2004, TSS’ purpose is simple: to be the industry leader in protecting people and property from physical attacks. Our professional in-house design, manufacturing, and installation teams enable us to deliver total security solutions that are customized to your needs with the fastest speed to completion and an exceptional customer experience. Today, with staff and locations nationwide, we have secured tens of thousands of buildings, ensuring daily Physical Security for What Matters Most™.

Case StudyBulletproofing for Financial Institutions