PayThink 2018 Direct Page

PayThink is focused on the rapidly changing, inter-connected markets of debit, credit, mobile, prepaid and digital payments. As the payments industry strives for faster innovation to launch new products ahead of competitors, PayThink provides insight from market participants and innovators leading the way. PayThink is designed for executives looking to stay relevant in the ever-changing payments ecosystem by finding and honing their competitive edge.

PT 2018 LOGO
PT LOGO 2018
  • Tax

    President Trump suggested his sweeping tariffs would help him reduce income taxes for people making less than $200,000 a year.

    April 28
    Donald Trump and Scott Bessent at the White House
  • Banks that think they can compete in the stablecoin space are making a huge mistake. The smart move would be to upgrade infrastructure to allow assets to move between banks and crypto accounts seamlessly.

    April 28
  • Global fintech funding broke $10 billion in the first quarter of 2025 due to increased investment in artificial intelligence and digital asset funding rounds like the $2 billion Binance deal.

    April 28
    ai-chart-apr-2025.png
  • As the president's policy changes on a dime, machine learning can quickly alter strategies for compliance, payments and supply-chain management.

    April 28
    Trump sworn in
  • In its latest financial stability report, the Federal Reserve found that asset prices continue to exceed underlying fundamentals and leverage levels remain high, especially by hedge funds.

    April 25
    FEDERAL-RESERVE-HQ-BLOOMBERG
  • As Vice President, Underwriting Research and Development, Jackie Waas is involved in investigating and developing underwriting innovations, with an emphasis on concept development, research, presenting new ideas, and participating in concept validation activities.

    She started her career with RGA in 2018 as Director of Underwriting Services, where she supported direct-to-consumer accelerated offerings, including assisting with the auditing of the e-underwriting program and helping develop digital health scores while supporting the Digital Health Data team.

    Prior to joining RGA, Jackie was an Underwriting Business Consultant and automated underwriting systems subject matter expert with Legal & General America for four years after working in an underwriting capacity with the company for nine years. She also had five years of underwriting experience with AXA Equitable and formerly worked as a marketing manager for Steele Rubber Products.

    Jackie received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in communications and a minor in psychology from Lenoir-Rhyne University in North Carolina. She is a Certified Fellow of the Academy of Life Underwriting, a Fellow of the Life Management Institute, and a Fellow of the Financial Services Institute. She is also an Associate, Reinsurance Administration; Associate, Insurance Agency Administration; and an Associate, Insurance Regulatory Compliance. Jackie also holds the Professional, Customer Service Institute designation, and she is a member of the Association of Home Office Underwriters.

    April 25
    Jackie Waas
  • Guizhou Hu is Vice President, VP, Head of Risk Analytics at RGA, where he supports global RGA underwriting initiatives and produces internal and external thought leadership pieces based on RGA's in-depth risk analytics. Before joining RGA in 2018, Guizhou served as Vice President, Chief Decision Analytics, for Gen Re and as a Senior Vice President for BioSignia Inc. Guizhou holds a medical degree from Beijing Medical University and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from Cornell University. 

    April 25
    Guizhou Hu
  • Taylor Pickett is a Vice President and Actuary at RGA. Taylor currently works as part of the pricing team supporting RGA's US Mortality business, serving as the actuarial subject matter expert for Underwriting Modernization. Taylor assists clients in understanding, incorporating, and evaluating the impacts of emerging underwriting programs and new sources of evidence. His responsibilities include supporting newer underwriting paradigms through program monitoring, data analysis and assumption development. Taylor has over 10 years of life reinsurance experience including roles in valuation, experience studies, research, and pricing. Taylor holds a Master of Science degree in Actuarial Science from Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries.

    April 25
    Taylor Pickett
  • The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's exit from a suit jointly filed with the New York attorney general's office narrows a major subprime lending case.

    April 25
    CFPB