One of our offices just did a major tint on their window to block all glare coming in the afternoon. I said this was not acceptable as there needs to be a clear view into the office. The question the branch is asking is to define 'clear view'. Does anyone have the specifics on this or where I can go to get the specifics?

Thank You!

I've never heard of this requirement.

I have never heard of this requirement either. Sounds like an internal control, not a regulation or law. I would generally agree with you that it is a bad idea to not be able to see into the branch, but I think you'll need to argue this from a security standpoint.

A few ways to look at this, the traditional way of looking at the tint is that if there is a problem on the inside the police can't view inside. The problem is (and I have been on many responses to bank alarms) even with the windows untinted you can't get close enough to see what is going on. In fact the only real determination that can be made is that people seem to be coming and going out of the front door as if business is normal. If law enforcement got close enough to look inside the windows wouldn't you (and you do) get upset that the cops "came right up to the bank after and alarm."

I can tell you from many interviews with bank robbers that they do get close enough to look in your branches through the windows. They watch from the outside, in many cases, for a very long time before making a descision to rob your bank. I say this just to give pause not to rush quickly to a decision of what is or is not a best practice.

I did training once in a branch deep south of our capital; it is a hot climate area and lots of tourists visiting there. They had the same tint glass as the case here; The Branch manager was complaining to me that there was lots of distraction in the branch because of that glass! so I asked: How is that?


Her answer was a Bit strange. she said : because the glass Looks like a Mirror from the Out side , so Most of the day we see Lots of females ( usually tourists ) stand behind the glass and start Fixing their Make up and sometimes their clothes too ! And that’s when Our "Male Staff" start being distracted! . so She asked me : what do you recommend for this situation ? Honestly I was taken by that but I answered : simple…..all you need is post a sign on the outside glass on all three sides and the sign should read " Smile for the Camera …..this facility is under 24/7 video recording surveillance "