A former Sandy Spring Bank teller supervisor has been barred from working in the banking industry after authorities said she misappropriated approximately $246,000 from teller cash dispenser machines over more than a year.
The Federal Reserve Board announced the enforcement action against Renee Nicole Brown on September 24, 2026. Brown previously worked as a teller supervisor at a Sandy Spring Bank branch in Silver Spring, Maryland.
According to the Federal Reserve’s Order of Prohibition, Brown misappropriated approximately $246,000 from teller cash dispenser machines between June 2023 and July 2024. The bank terminated her employment in August 2024.
The order provides significantly more detail than the Federal Reserve’s brief announcement, which describes the underlying conduct as “embezzlement by bank employee.”
Brown Was Convicted in Maryland
The Federal Reserve order says Brown pleaded guilty and was convicted on May 4, 2026, of a “Theft Scheme” in violation of Maryland law as a result of the conduct described by regulators.
She received a sentence of probation and was ordered to make partial restitution to Sandy Spring Bank.
The Federal Reserve subsequently issued its consent prohibition under Section 8(e) of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act. Brown consented to the issuance of the order without admitting or denying the Federal Reserve’s allegations beyond the facts concerning her criminal conviction.
Under the order, Brown is prohibited from participating in the affairs of an insured depository institution, bank holding company and several other types of financial institutions without receiving prior written approval from the appropriate federal banking regulator.
What the Federal Reserve’s Order Actually Does
A prohibition order is significantly more serious than simply losing a particular banking job.
The order prevents Brown from participating in covered banking activities, including serving as an employee, officer, director or institution-affiliated party at organizations covered by the order, unless regulators provide the required approval.
The Federal Reserve issues these types of enforcement actions under its authority to oversee financial institutions and certain institution-affiliated individuals. The agency also maintains a public database where consumers and financial institutions can search Federal Reserve enforcement actions.
The September 24 action specifically concerns Brown’s conduct and does not, by itself, establish that Sandy Spring Bank customers generally suffered losses or that customer accounts are currently at risk.
Sandy Spring Bank Has Since Merged With Atlantic Union Bank
There is another important detail for consumers who recognize the Sandy Spring Bank name.
The Federal Reserve’s order notes that Sandy Spring Bank merged with Atlantic Union Bank after the conduct described in the enforcement action occurred. Brown’s alleged conduct therefore predates that merger.
Consumers shouldn’t interpret an enforcement action against a former employee as evidence that their own bank account has been compromised.
However, the case provides a useful reminder to review bank statements and transaction histories regularly rather than assuming unauthorized activity will always be immediately obvious.
What Customers Should Do If They Spot an Unauthorized Transaction
Anyone who notices a withdrawal, transfer or other transaction they don’t recognize should contact their financial institution promptly using a verified telephone number or another official communication channel.
Keep copies of statements, transaction records and correspondence concerning the disputed activity, and avoid sending sensitive banking information to anyone who contacts you unexpectedly claiming to be investigating the problem.
Consumers who have an unresolved issue involving a bank regulated by the Federal Reserve can also use Federal Reserve Consumer Help to learn more about filing a complaint and identifying the appropriate regulator.
The Brown enforcement action doesn’t mean customers need to take special action simply because they previously banked with Sandy Spring Bank. Instead, it shows one way federal banking regulators can act against individual financial institution employees following misconduct and a criminal conviction.
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