The number of robberies and attempted robberies at banks across Brazil decreased 36.2 percent in 2021 against the previous year—from 58 to 37 occurrences. The data were released on Tuesday (Apr. 5) by the Brazilian Federation of Banks, Febraban, and were based on a survey of 17 financial institutions, which encompass 90 percent of the country’s banking market.
Attacks on ATMs also showed a drop year on year, from 434 to 266 notifications, down 38.7 percent.
In 21 years, the number of bank robbery incidents sank 98 percent. Attacks on bank tellers, in turn, have been on a downward trend for seven years. In 2014, this type of assault saw a peak—3,584 occurrences. Comparing 2014 and 2021, the decline was 92.5 percent.
“The banking industry is strongly committed to technological solutions and new products that decrease the need to use cash in large amounts, which has been fundamental to discourage criminal behavior, of which banks are also victims,” said Febreban head Isaac Sidney.
To prevent crimes, the federation reported, Brazilian banks have invested $1.9 billion a year in security, three times the amount spent ten years ago. Banks have also invested in digital channels, making it less necessary for customers to handle cash.
