CEDAR FALLS -- Officials agree: After four bank robberies in a month, it's time to catch the person or persons responsible.

The most recent holdup was Monday at the Wells Fargo bank branch, 6309 University Ave., near College Square Mall. Police Chief Jeff Olson has said there are "definite similarities" between all four robberies.

Area financial institutions, along with the FBI, are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Meanwhile, they've been doing everything they can to heighten awareness and to protect their employees and customers.

"Obviously, I think all the banks in the community are on alert and concerned that this guy gets caught and may have made some adjustments in their security but don't really want to share that," said Joe Vich, chief executive officer of Community National Bank. CNB's downtown Cedar Falls branch, 312 W. First St., was held up Nov. 18.

Katie Bjerke, communications specialist at Veridian Credit Union in Waterloo, said Veridian employees are well-trained with the bank's security system.

They've also been working closely with police to stay up-to-date on happenings.

"As far as any different security procedures, it's just kind of business as normal for us simply because it's something we stay on top of pretty regularly," Bjerke said.

Security systems have been double-checked and are operating effectively at First National Bank in Cedar Falls, said bank president Dave Deaver. Employees there have also been reminded of the bank's policies and procedures for robbery scenarios .

"Like any good game plan, sometimes execution is what it's all about," Deaver said.

But working to prevent and solve the crimes shouldn't fall entirely on banks and police, Deaver said.

It's about teamwork, and the rest of the community needs to step up, he said. Residents should pay close attention to their surroundings, especially if they live or work near a financial institution.

"If you happen to be around during the day, take a few extra moments of looking out those windows," he said. "You might spot a suspicious individual getting out of their vehicle that is going to do a crime, if you will, or you may identify somebody that is leaving the scene of a crime and getting into a vehicle."

The main focus at Liberty Bank branches is keeping facilities as safe as possible, said John Rathjen, market president. Employees are keeping an extra eye on incoming traffic and are well-coordinated with police in case of an emergency. Like First National, Liberty has a branch in downtown Cedar Falls, where two of the four robberies occurred.

Also, annual robbery training instructs employees to do whatever they can to get a potential suspect out of the bank as quickly as possible.

"We can gather information and use what we see and hear, coupled with other customers who might be in the lobby to help us," Rathjen said. "Hopefully, we'll be in a position to find these people that are doing these bad things."

Pulling down hoods or scarves when entering a financial institution may also ease tensions of employees or customers, Deaver suggested.

Chief Olson's staff is following up with potential leads, but no arrests have been made.

"We're just continuing to work with the banks, and putting a lot of manpower and efforts into this," Olson said. "We're just hoping we can get some information from the public that might lead us to the right person."

Other heists were reported at Iowa Community Credit Union on Cedar Heights Drive on Saturday, and at Lincoln Savings Bank downtown, a block from the police station, on Nov. 6. In all four cases, the suspect passed a note to a teller demanding money, and suspect descriptions were similar. Also, no weapon has ever been displayed.

The FBI has been assisting with the investigations.

"I have all the confidence in the world in the police and the FBI that (the suspect) will get apprehended," CNB's Vich said.

Anyone with information on the robberies should call Cedar Falls police at 273-8612.

Contact Tina Hinz at (319) 291-1484 or tina.hinz@wcfcourier.com.