Bank Insider Allegedly Forges Customers’ Signatures and Documents, Drains at Least $26,000 From Bank Accounts: Federal Reserve

A former bank employee is now banned from working in the financial industry after allegedly falsifying customer signatures to steal thousands of dollars from their accounts.

The Federal Reserve has issued an order of prohibition against James Woodward, who worked as a commercial loan officer and relationship manager at the Alabama-based NobleBank & Trust from November 2023 to April 2025.

According to the Fed, Woodward faked customer signatures on loan documents and cashier’s check purchase slips to embezzle at least $26,000.

“Woodward’s conduct constituted violations of law or regulation, unsafe or unsound banking practices, and breaches of fiduciary duty, and involved his personal dishonesty and his willful and continuing disregard for the safety and soundness of the Bank.”

The prohibition order bars Woodward from working at or participating in the activities of any FDIC-insured bank, holding company or affiliated entity without getting prior approval. The former NobleBank & Trust employee has consented to the provisions of the order without admitting or denying the Fed’s allegations.

The Fed also says it will not pursue further action against Woodward, but other federal or state authorities can still do so.

NobleBank & Trust is the 1,691st-largest bank in the US with $434 million in consolidated assets, according to the Fed.

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