A Hamilton bank manager helped herself to £18,000 from a vulnerable customer's account.
Kerry Hamilton transferred the money to accounts belonging to her relatives and friends, the town's sheriff court heard today.
Hamilton, 39, of Forest Avenue, admitted embezzling the cash between March 2013 and April the following year.
She was a senior personal banking manager at TSB in Quarry Street at the time.
Neil Thomson, prosecuting, said the account belonged to a woman who was aged 68 and "in a vulnerable position".
The alarm was raised by individuals who "took care of" the account for her.
Mr Thomson told the court: "An investigation took some time to complete.
"It revealed that about £18,000 had been moved to accounts held by relatives and friends of Hamilton.
"The accused was linked to the transfer by the use of her computer ID number.
"When the matter came to light, disciplinary proceedings were instigated and she resigned her position.
"The bank returned the money to the customer's account."
When asked by Sheriff David Young if that meant the bank was "out of pocket", Mr Thomson replied: "Yes."
Sentence on Hamilton, who has no previous convictions, was deferred until April for a criminal justice social work report.
The sheriff told her: "It's a serious matter involving a significant quantity of money.
"All sentencing options, including prison, remain open."
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