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A featured contribution from Leadership Perspectives, a curated forum for finance technology leaders, nominated by our subscribers and vetted by the Insurance CIO Outlook Editorial Board.
Abbey Steinberg, Manager of Digital and Emerging Payment Solutions at Unum (NYSE: UNM), is an experienced underwriter and treasury manager with a demonstrated history of working in the insurance industry. Skilled in Microsoft Word, sales, team building, management and teamwork, she brings a strong background in human resources to her role. Abbey holds a business degree from James Madison University and a Master of Finance from Antwerp Management School.
She spearheads innovations that enhance transaction security and efficiency, ensuring businesses and consumers can rely on seamless, fraud-resistant payment methods. Her expertise in payment security, fraud prevention, and emerging technologies establishes her as a key figure in financial services.
At Unum, a company specializing in financial protection benefits such as disability, life, and accident insurance, Steinberg develops digital payment strategies. By integrating advanced fraud prevention tools and digital transaction solutions, she helps the firm stay ahead of industry trends while mitigating risks. Her work ensures that customers and business partners experience smooth, secure transactions in an increasingly complex financial landscape.
“Transactions via digital wallets are expected to grow with projections reaching $16 trillion by 2028.”
Fraud prevention remains a central focus of Steinberg’s expertise. As a featured speaker at the 2025 NACHA event, she participated in the session “Not on My Watch: Best Practices to Help Protect against Payment Fraud.” This discussion addressed Business Email Compromise (BEC), a cyber-threat responsible for USD 2.9 billion in reported losses, according to the 2023 FBI Internet Crime Report. Steinberg shared insights on strengthening vendor relationships, leveraging fraud detection tools, and implementing best practices to prevent unauthorized transactions. She emphasizes balancing transaction speed with robust security measures to ensure safe and efficient payments.
Her contributions to industry discussions reinforce her role as a thought leader in payment security. At NACHA, she shared the stage with Vincent Meluzio of J.P. Morgan Chase, highlighting her collaboration with major financial institutions. Given that payment security is a shared responsibility across the industry, her work with banks, payment processors, and technology providers is crucial in shaping solutions that protect businesses from fraud. Cross-industry cooperation is essential in combating modern payment threats, and her expertise positions her at the forefront of these efforts.
Beyond fraud prevention, Steinberg focuses on next-generation payment solutions that enhance efficiency and security. Advances in machine learning, biometric authentication, and fraud scoring have transformed how payments are processed and protected. As cybercriminals develop increasingly sophisticated attack methods, her role includes evaluating and implementing real-time fraud detection and risk-based authentication tools to strengthen Unum’s security framework. These innovations help minimize fraud risks while maintaining a seamless customer experience.
Steinberg also contributes to education and advocacy efforts, informing businesses of the latest fraud prevention strategies and digital payment advancements. Through speaking engagements, panel discussions, and industry events, she shares insights that empower financial institutions, merchants, and payment providers to navigate the evolving digital payments landscape. Her ability to translate complex security challenges into actionable strategies makes her a valuable resource for professionals across the industry.
As the digital payments ecosystem evolves, Steinberg ensures that technological advancements prioritize convenience and security. With cyber threats becoming more sophisticated, her expertise helps businesses mitigate risks and adopt resilient payment solutions. Steinberg’s work at Unum and its influence in the broader payments industry highlights the importance of strong security frameworks in today’s digital economy. Through her leadership and expertise, she is helping to build a financial environment where businesses and consumers can transact with confidence.
