Major Bank’s Employee Accused of Forging Signatures, Draining $8,450 From Customers’ Accounts: Report

A veteran bank teller at a billion-dollar US financial institution is accused of manipulating the lender’s systems to steal thousands from customers’ accounts.

54-year-old Sherry Manz of Knoxville has been charged with four counts of forgery and one count of theft after allegedly withdrawing a total of $8,450 from multiple customer accounts while employed as a teller at a branch of Fifth Third Bank,

Investigators allege the unauthorized activity occurred between September 17 and October 17, 2025.

Prosecutors say Manz used her position to complete unauthorized withdrawals by forging customer signatures on withdrawal slips.

Surveillance footage reportedly captured her counting the cash during at least one transaction and placing it into her pocket rather than returning it to the customer.

Manz allegedly later admitted to a federal crimes officer that she completed the forms, telling investigators she “was practicing,” according to the charging documents.

If convicted on the current charges, Manz could face significant legal consequences, though the extent of potential penalties will be determined as the prosecution and defense present their cases.

Local law enforcement and prosecutors in Knox County continue to emphasize the importance of robust internal auditing mechanisms and constant vigilance to detect and deter financial misconduct within banking institutions.

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