In the July 14 episode of Optimal Insights, the team discusses the latest market dynamics, including inflation expectations, tariff impacts, and the Fed’s rate trajectory. Jim and Alex unpack the administration’s pressure on the Fed, the resilience of jobless claims, and the looming August 1 tariff deadline. Later, Jim and Vimi sit down with Optimal Blue CEO Joe Tyrrell for a wide-ranging conversation on AI’s role in mortgage tech, the future of automation, and how lenders can evaluate innovation in a tight-margin environment.

Notable Insights:

• Jobless claims remain resilient; inflation data is in focus this week.
• Tariffs on major trading partners (Canada, Mexico, EU) could reshape global trade flows.
• Joe Tyrrell emphasizes AI’s potential to reduce bias, improve efficiency, and scale operations.
• Lenders should prioritize real, production-ready tech with measurable ROI and domain expertise.

Optimal Insights Team:

• Jim Glennon, Vice President of Hedging and Trading Client Services
• Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager
• Vimi Vasudeva, Managing Director

• Joe Tyrrell, CEO, Optimal Blue

• Executive Producer: Sara Holtz
• Producers: Matt Gilhooly & Hailey Røise

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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:

Smarter Hedging Starts with the Right Team

Innovative technology is only as powerful as the people behind it. At Optimal Blue, our hedging client services team partners with you to navigate risk, act decisively, and stay ahead of market shifts. Combine that expertise with CompassEdge – our hedging and loan trading platform – and you gain real-time insights, faster execution, and a strategy that adapts with the market. Whether you need full-service support or just another set of eyes, Optimal Blue delivers a high-performance engine built on people, powered by technology, and focused on your bottom line. 📅 Join our webinar: Maximize Profitability With a Smarter Hedging & Trading Strategy 🕛 August 20 at 12 p.m. CT 🔗 https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2676301910911287388?source=podcast

Effortless Best Efforts Locking with Optimal Blue

Manual locking just got an upgrade. With Optimal Blue’s latest enhancement to the Optimal Blue® PPE platform, lock desk users can now complete the entire locking process – start to finish – with a single click. No system toggling. No rekeying. Lock requests are sent directly to investors via API, reducing processing time from minutes to seconds. Secure data flow and real-time updates ensure transparency, speed, and confidence for both originators and investors. Learn more at https://www.optimalblue.com or in the press release: https://www2.optimalblue.com/optimal-blue-fully-automates-best-efforts-locking-directly-with-investors