DALLAS -- The Texas Credit Union League has turned to a former bank robber to help teach member credit unions to avoid becoming robbery victims.
Troy Evans, a convicted bank robber who has spent at least seven years in federal penitentiaries, urged CUs to be sure to greet members when they come through the door of the branch, have CU staff sign nondisclosure agreements about daily operations in branches and ensure there are at least a few men in each of CU branch.
Evans reported that research shows that not having men in a credit union or bank branch can make thieves feel the branch is more vulnerable to robbery. Evans presented part of the research during an appearance in a robbery prevention video sponsored and circulated by the Texas Credit Union League. Evans also spoke at the league annual meeting this year.
In addition to his own criminal experience, Evans holds two college degrees earned while in prison and has interviewed hundreds of bank robbers on the road to becoming an expert in financial institution security, the league said.
Evans said if it was not possible to have more male employees in a credit union branch every day, CUs should at least make sure to try to have some there on Friday mornings when most robberies take place.
He said getting staff to greet each member as they come in the door provides connections that deter robbery. "Your legitimate members will love it," he said, "and the would-be robber will hate it."
Evans explained that he urged nondisclosure agreements about CU daily operations because credit union employees can unknowingly provide lots of information a robber would find useful in planning a robbery.
"One reason I got away with it so long is that I dated a teller," Evans said.
Evans, who is featured in the Texas Credit Union League's robbery training video that distributed to Texas credit unions earlier this spring, offered a candid look at the harsh life he once led, both as a drug addict and behind bars.
Saying repeatedly that "everything happens for a reason," Evans discussed his long journey from hitting rock bottom and blaming others for his problems to his ability now to help others and benefit society.
