Automated payment underwriting still requires human decision-making
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AI-assisted source synthesis · not an independent investigation.
On October 29, 2026, Bill Christensen, Senior Vice President of Risk and Underwriting at Maverick Payments, said that automation can handle the onboarding reviews of low-risk merchants with regular documentation, but exceptional cases that deviate from established rules or involve conflicting signals still require human judgment. As the scope of automation expands, underwriters’ responsibilities will shift toward overseeing systems, reviewing exceptions, and being accountable for decision outcomes. The report noted that granting software greater approval authority will also require more reliable data, transparent decision-making processes, and clear governance mechanisms.
AI-written from reports · updated 1 hour ago
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- PYMNTSBetter technology alone still cannot hold final decision-making authority
Bill Christensen, senior vice president of risk and underwriting at Maverick Payments, said automation can handle merchant onboarding reviews for low-risk merchants with consistent documentation, but exception cases that deviate from established rules or involve conflicting signals still require human judgment. As automation expands, underwriters’ responsibilities will shift toward overseeing systems, reviewing exceptions, and being accountable for decisions; giving software greater approval authority will also require more reliable data, transparent decision-making, and clear governance mechanisms.
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