Why Bank Robbers Love Friday Mornings (But Hate Sundays)

If you're planning to rob a bank—and we strongly advise against it—apparently Friday morning between 9 and 11 a.m. is your window. According to FBI statistics, about 25% of all bank robberies happen on Fridays, with the morning hours being peak crime time. But the claim that Wednesday afternoons are the safest? That's where the facts get fuzzy.

The reality is more interesting. While Friday mornings do see the most action, the least common time for bank robberies is actually early morning on weekends, particularly Sunday between 6 and 9 a.m. Only about 2% of robberies occur during those early morning hours. Wednesday afternoons (3-6 p.m.)? That's actually one of the more common windows, accounting for over a quarter of robberies.

Why Friday Mornings Are Prime Time

The pattern isn't random. Professional bank robbers target Friday mornings for calculated reasons. Banks receive cash deliveries early in the day, and employees empty night deposit boxes and safes, meaning there's more money on hand. Fewer customers are in the bank during morning hours, reducing witnesses and complications.

Friday specifically appeals to robbers motivated by addiction—they want cash for weekend partying. Even opportunistic criminals prefer Fridays because payday traffic means busier banks where they can blend in more easily.

The Afternoon Rush

Here's the surprising twist: while mornings see the most robberies, afternoon hours (3-6 p.m.) are also popular, accounting for more than 25% of heists. This contradicts the myth about Wednesday afternoons being safe. Banks are busy, staff might be tired, and there's still significant cash on hand from the day's transactions.

• Most robberies: Friday, 9-11 a.m.
• Second peak: Afternoon hours (3-6 p.m.) any weekday
• Least common: Sunday mornings, 6-9 a.m.
• Safest days: Weekends in general

The Bigger Picture

Before you get too worried about your Friday morning banking, here's the good news: bank robberies have plummeted 83% since 1992. The FBI reported just 1,362 bank robberies in 2023—the lowest number on record since before 1990. Better security technology, dye packs, GPS trackers, and surveillance have made bank robbery increasingly risky and unrewarding.

So while the pattern holds that Friday mornings are statistically the most common time for robberies, your odds of encountering one are lower than ever. And if you're wondering when to feel safest? Hit the ATM early Sunday morning—apparently criminals aren't early risers on weekends either.