Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the current state of the mortgage market, highlighting the challenges and opportunities as interest rates hover above 6.8%. The discussion emphasizes the rise in cash-out refinancing due to significant home equity, even as overall volume struggles in the face of increasing rates. Experts provide insights into recent economic indicators, including inflation readings and retail sales data, which remain closely monitored by the market. Additionally, the episode features a detailed conversation about mortgage servicing rights (MSRs). Listeners will gain a clearer understanding of how MSRs impact loan pricing and the strategic considerations for lenders as they navigate the evolving market dynamics heading into 2025.

Key Takeaways:

• The current economic climate shows rising interest rates, impacting mortgage volume and profitability.
• Cash-out refinances are gaining traction as homeowners tap into their home equity despite rising rates.
• The upcoming IMN conference will provide valuable insights into the mortgage servicing rights market.
• Market trends indicate a potential slowdown as we approach the holiday season with less activity.
• Understanding mortgage servicing rights is crucial for loan originators to effectively price loans.

Hosts and Guests:

Hosts:

• Jim Glennon, VP of Hedging & Trading Client Services, Optimal Blue
• Jeff McCarty, VP of Product Management – Hedging and Trading, Optimal Blue

• Ben Larcombe
• Vimi Vasudeva

• Executive Producer: Sara Holtz
• Producer: Matt Gilhooly

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Keywords: Real-time data insights, Capital markets commentary, Mortgage industry, Profitability, Lenders, Investors, Rate fluctuations, Mortgage landscape, Expert advice, Optimal Blue, Secondary marketing automation, Pricing accuracy, Margin protection, Risk management, Originators, Originations

Mentioned in this episode:

AI at Optimal Blue – Innovation That Delivers for Your Bottom Line

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Optimal Blue Summit 2026 | February 23-25 | Scottsdale, Arizona

In case you missed it – Optimal Blue has announced the dates for its 2026 Summit! Join us February 23 – 25 at Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a client-exclusive event packed with strategic insight and innovation. Attendees will gain early access to Optimal Blue’s latest generative AI and automation tools, dive into expert-led sessions on pricing, compliance and more, and experience hands-on demos of new capabilities. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with capital markets pros, integration partners, and mortgage insiders—all while gaining actionable strategies to maximize profitability and sharpen your competitive edge. The Optimal Blue Summit: where proven mortgage expertise meets modern innovation to shape what's next. Early bird registration is now open at Summit.OptimalBlue.com – space is limited, so register today! News release: https://www2.optimalblue.com/optimal-blue-to-host-its-2026-summit-february-23-25-in-scottsdale Registration: Summit.OptimalBlue.com

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