Merchant Risk Curveballs Coming in 2027

Merchant risk isn’t standing still, and compliance teams can’t either. New schemes are moving faster, hiding better, and costing more when they slip through.

Join leaders from Merrick Bank, Elavon, and G2 Risk Solutions as they look at the trends most likely to shape 2027 and discuss how organizations can prepare now.

Merchant risk isn’t standing still

Your cleanest merchant could be your costliest mistake next year. Hear what senior risk leaders are watching and where to focus before priorities are set.

You’ll leave with practical predictions and clear priorities for underwriting, monitoring, and risk management.

The panel will unpack:

Scams and transaction laundering hiding behind clean merchants
Illegal vape sales and new psychoactive substances in your portfolio
Evolving card network expectations and how to stay ahead of them

Speakers

Shari Savlick

Vice President, Merchant Compliance, Merrick Bank

Shari is Vice President of Merchant Compliance for Merrick Bank’s Merchant Acquiring business unit. With more than 25 years of payments industry experience, she leads regulatory compliance, governance, and operational integrity initiatives. Shari is also Past President of the Association of Payment Professionals (APP).

Eric Woods

Senior Vice President, Loss Prevention, Elavon

Eric is Senior Vice President of Loss Prevention at Elavon, leading an 88-member organization dedicated to fraud mitigation across North America. A proven leader with 25 years of experience, he has delivered record-low loss rates, built industry-recognized risk programs, and driven transformative operational change. He partners with law enforcement, financial institutions, and industry stakeholders to advance innovation and strengthen fraud prevention across the payments ecosystem.

Gerard Olson

Director of Research, G2 Risk Solutions

Gerard is a regulatory and compliance strategist who has spent more than a decade helping businesses operate confidently in high-risk industries, including cannabis and hemp. His work sits at the intersection of e-commerce, merchant risk, and emerging enforcement trends, turning complexity into actionable strategy. He has built research and policy programs and become a go-to voice on shifting rules across risky verticals. He currently serves as Director of Research at G2 Risk Solutions.

Niamh Lewis

Vice President, Compliance Operations, G2 Risk Solutions

Niamh is a regulatory attorney who specializes in high-risk areas, including pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, e-cigarettes, and gambling. Niamh is a frequent public speaker on topics relevant to the payments industry, including cybercrime, transaction laundering, and illegal drugs. Bloomberg, NBC, and the New York Times have interviewed her. Recently, Niamh presented at the US FDA’s Online Controlled Substances Summit, whose attendees include prominent digital commerce platforms.