Bank Teller Accused of Using Lender’s Vaults To Launder $1,612,000 in Drug Proceeds

A US bank teller allegedly used the lender’s cash vaults to launder over a million dollars in drug money.

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has issued an Order of Prohibition against Georgina Banuelos, who worked as an employee of The Fountain Trust Company between October 6th, 2008, and May 17th, 2024.

The FDIC alleges that while working as a teller at Indiana-based Fountain Trust, Banuelos exchanged low-denomination drug proceeds for larger bills taken from the bank.

In total, the FDIC accuses Banuelos of laundering $1.612 million in drug money.

Says the regulator,

“On September 18, 2025, Respondent pleaded guilty to count seven of the Superseding Indictment which charged the Respondent with money laundering conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1956 in United States v. Georgina Banuelos, Case No. 23 CR 426-17 (N.D. Ill.).”

The prohibition bans Banuelos from working in any bank or savings institution whose deposits are insured by the FDIC.

Banuelos has accepted the stipulations of the prohibition order without admitting to or denying any wrongdoing.

The FDIC says the prohibition will remain effective and enforceable unless a federal agency modifies, terminates or suspends the order in writing.

The regulator adds that the prohibition does not stop other federal agencies from pursuing legal action against Banuelos if deemed appropriate.

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