"In July 2009 a teller at a Key Bank branch in Seattle pursued a would-be robber after a botched hold-up attempt (Seattle Times, Aug. 1, 2009). He leapt over the counter, chased the man for several blocks, knocked him down, and held him until the police arrived. Two days later Key Bank fired the teller. He had violated long-standing bank policy to cooperate in every way and never resist a robbery. The reason for this policy, we suggest, is that banks understand a very simple principle: fear is bad for business. It is far better to comply with the demand than to risk a brawl, or a gun fight in the bank lobby. No bank wants the perception that they valued money more than customer and employee safety. The $40 million that traditional bank robbers in the US steal per year (FBI Bank Crime Statistics) is entirely manageable."