Best Vimy Podcasts (2026)

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FOMC Turnover, Labor Signals & Global Shockwaves + December 2025 Data | Jan. 5, 2026 33:11

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, the team dives into key developments shaping the mortgage industry as we enter 2026. They cover labor market stability, Fed leadership changes, geopolitical tensions following U.S. action in Venezuela, and what these mean for rates and originators. The discussion also includes the December Market Advantage revie…

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2026 Outlook: Rates, Jobs, and Industry Trends to Watch | Dec. 22, 2025 46:57

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In this final episode of the year, Optimal Insights dives into critical market updates and a forward-looking preview of 2026. Host Jim Glennon is joined by Alex Hebner and James Cahill to analyze recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, including unemployment trends and inflation surprises. They explore why job losses in government sectors and healt…

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2025 Market Recap: Key Events and Policy Ripple Effects | Dec. 15, 2025 47:55

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley discuss the Fed’s final rate cut of 2025, labor market uncertainty, and the biggest economic events shaping mortgage rates. They share expert insights on tariffs, tech-driven capital spending, housing trends, and regulatory changes, offering a clear …

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Tariffs, Fed Cuts, and November 2025 Market Advantage Data | Dec. 8, 2025 29:14

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon is joined by James Cahill and Alex Hebner for a deep dive into the latest market trends and economic signals as we approach year-end. They discuss the impact of tariffs, inflation trends, and employment data, highlighting how these factors influence interest rates and mortgage activity. The conv…

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Shutdown Aftershocks and the Fed’s Next Move | Dec. 1, 2025 19:50

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In this episode, the Optimal Insights team analyzes the lingering effects of the recent government shutdown on economic data and market sentiment. With limited new data available, the conversation centers on the upcoming FOMC meeting, the evolving composition of the Federal Reserve, and the implications for mortgage rates and market confidence. Jim…

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Fed Rate Outlook, MSR Market Shifts & Home Equity Trends | Nov. 24, 2025 30:02

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, James Cahill, Alex Hebner, and Kevin Foley share the latest economic updates, covering mortgage rates, Fed rate cut probabilities, and unemployment trends. Then Jim Glennon and Vimi Vasudeva discuss key takeaways from the IMN MSR Conference, including MSR market dynamics, PennyMac’s push for recapture valuation …

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Government’s Back, Fed’s Talking, FHFA’s Buzzing + Market Advantage | Nov. 17 33:49

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon is joined by Alex Hebner and James Cahill to unpack the latest developments in the mortgage and macroeconomic landscape. The team discusses the reopening of the U.S. government, the delayed release of September jobs data, and the implications of widespread layoffs in October. They explore the ev…

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October 2025 Data Highlights - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 11:59

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Welcome to the Market Advantage! Hosts Olivia DeLancey, Brennan O’Connell, and Mike Vough break down October’s mortgage market data, highlighting production trends, rate environment shifts, and secondary market insights. Special Announcement: Market Advantage is merging with Optimal Insights! This move will allow us to deliver timely mortgage data …

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Shutdown Signals, Affordability, and the Future of Mortgage with Anita Padilla-Fitzgerald | Nov. 10, 2025 45:02

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In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the latest market developments, including the potential resolution of the government shutdown, consumer sentiment data, and the controversial proposal of a 50-year mortgage. The team discusses affordability challenges, LLPAs, and the broader implications for first-time homebuyers. Special guest …

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Indigenous Service and Legacy with John Moses 55:40

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In this episode, we sit down with John Moses, former Director of Repatriation and Indigenous Relations at the Canadian Museum of History. John discusses the legacy of residential schools, the experiences of Indigenous veterans during the First World War, and his family’s personal ties to this history, including his grandmother, Edith Montour, one o…

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Macro Crosscurrents: Inflation, Interest Rates, and International Relations | 11.3.25 30:49

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, the team dives into the latest macroeconomic developments shaping the mortgage industry. Topics include the recent Fed rate cut and Chairman Powell’s unexpected commentary, which sent shockwaves through the markets. The team explores the implications of rising interest rates, the evolving labor market, and the i…

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The Calm Before the Fed: MBA Annual Recap, FHFA Pricing & Sparse Data | Oct. 27, 2025 45:55

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon is joined by Alex Hebner, Kevin Foley, and Vimi Vasudeva to discuss the latest developments shaping the mortgage industry. The team explores the implications of sparse economic data, including CPI and labor trends, and previews the upcoming Fed meeting. They also dive into the FHFA’s potential pricin…

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Economic Crossfire: Shutdowns, Trade Tensions & Banking Jitters | Oct. 21 22:36

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In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the economic turbulence surrounding the ongoing government shutdown, trade tensions with China, and emerging concerns in the banking sector. With limited data releases due to the shutdown, the team discusses the implications for mortgage rates, the upcoming Fed meeting, and CPI projections. They…

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The Future of Home Equity Lending With Andria Lightfoot | Sept. 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 40:25

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage. Hosts Olivia DeLancey, Brennan O'Connell, and Mike Vough kick off the show with a review of September’s mortgage data, highlighting a strong rate rally and notable trends in purchase and refinance activity. The team then welcomes Andria Lightfoot, VP of client success at FirstClose, for a tim…

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Trade Tensions Reignite: China and the U.S. Back in the Ring | Oct. 13, 2025 36:50

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and Kevin Foley discuss the renewed trade tensions between China and the U.S., the ongoing government shutdown, and their combined impact on the mortgage and financial markets. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the indus…

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Tradeweb’s Justin Monahan on MBS Liquidity | Market Update: Shutdown & Fed Policy 34:12

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley explore the effects of the government shutdown on market data, the Fed’s evolving stance on rate cuts and quantitative easing, and the mechanics of MBS pricing and trade execution. Special guest Justin Monahan from Tradeweb offers a deep…

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Inside the Fed’s Mind: Taylor Rule Talk + ACUMA Highlights | Optimal Insights | Sept. 29, 2025 40:03

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In the first half of this episode, Jim Glennon is joined by Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner to discuss current market conditions, the potential government shutdown, and the Taylor Rule – a formula used to estimate the ideal federal funds rate. The team analyzes Stephen Miran’s public application of the rule and his controversial suggesti…

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The Third Mandate and the Fed's Latest Moves | Optimal Insights | September 22, 2025 27:30

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, host Jeff McCarty is joined by Alex Hebner, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley to unpack the Fed’s recent 25-basis-point rate cut and its ripple effects across the mortgage and treasury markets. The team explores the implications of rising interest rates despite the cut, investor sentiment, and the looming deb…

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The Pulse of the Market: Interest Rates & Forum Reflections | Optimal Insights | September 15, 2025 44:23

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and James Cahill discuss inflation trends, labor market revisions, and expectations for the Fed’s upcoming rate decision. Later in the episode, Vimi Vasudeva joins Jim, Jeff, and James to share insights from the recent Optimal Insights Forum, including MSR pricing d…

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Maximizing Returns on AI Investments With Seever Sulaiman | August 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 40:04

4M ago40:04

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Olivia DeLancey, Brennan O'Connell, and Mike Vough kick off the show with a review of August 2025 mortgage data, covering rate lock and secondary market activity. The hosts then sit down with Optimal Blue Chief Technology Officer Seever Sulaiman to unpack a recen…

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Lower Rates Ahead? Breaking Down the Economic Signals | Optimal Insights | Sept. 8, 2025 33:00

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Alex Hebner unpack the latest jobs report, inflation trends, and the Fed’s rate outlook. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape. Key Topics Discussed: Jobs Report Analysis:…

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Post–Labor Day Market Watch: Fed Drama and Economic Signals | Sept. 2, 2025 21:39

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Is the FED Cook’d? A look at rate cuts, political pressure, and market reactions. In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the latest market dynamics, including the upcoming unemployment report, inflation trends, and the growing political pressure on the Federal Reserve. The conversation explores the implications of Lisa Cook’s legal b…

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Shifting Tides: Rates, Jobs, and AI Momentum | Optimal Insights | Aug. 25, 2025 40:08

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, James Cahill, and Kevin Foley discuss the evolving interest rate environment, labor market complexities, and the accelerating adoption of AI in mortgage technology. They share insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape. Key Topics …

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Market Trends, Consumer Sentiment & Optimal Blue’s Exciting Rebrand | August 18, 2025 33:46

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the economic landscape and Optimal Blue’s big rebrand announcement from last week. Main Topics: Economic indicators and market analysis Federal Reserve policy and interest rate expectations Labor market trends and consumer sentiment Optimal Blue's new brand and…

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Julian Hebron on Lending Trends and Tech Innovation | July 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 55:22

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Olivia DeLancey, Brennan O'Connell, and Mike Vough open the show with a discussion on July 2025 mortgage data, highlighting trends in rate lock volumes, refinance activity, and non-agency lending. Later in the episode, Olivia and Mike sit down with Julian Hebron,…

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Tariffs, Rate Cuts, and the Fannie-Freddie IPO: Parsing Market Signals | August 11, 2025 23:03

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, host Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and James Cahill discuss the latest market developments. The team explores the economic implications of newly implemented tariffs, the Federal Reserve’s evolving stance on interest rates, and speculation surrounding a potential IPO for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Key topics includ…

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Foggy Data, Clear Consequences | Market Updates | August 4, 2025 29:29

5M ago29:29

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon leads a deep dive into recent economic developments. The team analyzes the fallout from a disappointing jobs report, revised employment data, and implications for Federal Reserve policy. They explore the growing use of imputed data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the potential impact of AI on…

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Navigating the Non-QM Landscape | Market Updates | July 28, 2025 38:38

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, the team delivers a timely market update and welcomes special guest Mike Vough, Head of Corporate Strategy at Optimal Blue, for a deep dive into the evolving non-QM mortgage space. The discussion covers current economic indicators, Fed policy expectations, and the growing relevance of non-QM products in today’s …

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Greg Sher on the Power of Connection in Lending | Market Updates | July 21, 2025 39:40

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In this episode, the Optimal Insights team delivers a timely market update and welcomes Greg Sher, a leading voice in mortgage advocacy and digital influence. The conversation covers inflation trends, tariff impacts, housing affordability, and the evolving role of credit scoring. Greg shares the story behind the “All of Us” movement, his push for V…

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From Vision to Reality: Joe Tyrrell on Embracing AI and Automation | Market Insights | July 14, 2025 1:01:12

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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 Optima…

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Smarter Hedging, Loan Sales, and Margin Management With Rob Kessel | June 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 45:00

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Olivia DeLancey and Mike Vough discuss the June 2025 Market Advantage report, including notable shifts in loan sale execution and pull-through trends. They’re joined by Rob Kessel, founder of Panoramic Capital Advisory and Consulting, who brings decades of capita…

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Fiscal Firepower and the Future of Interest Rates | Optimal Insights | July 7, 2025 37:28

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In the July 7 episode of Optimal Insights, the team discusses the latest economic indicators and their implications for mortgage rates and the broader financial landscape. They analyze the recent jobs report, which showed strong headline numbers but revealed underlying weaknesses in private sector hiring. The discussion also covers the delayed impl…

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Do ARMs Have Legs in This Market? | Market Insights | June 30, 2025 34:49

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, the team explores the current state of the mortgage market during a short holiday week, discussing economic indicators, consumer sentiment, and the Fed’s stance on rate cuts. The second half of the episode is a deep dive into adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) – what they are, how they work, and their potential re…

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Market Pulse, Global Headlines & Behind the Scenes of the Optimal Blue Hackathon | Optimal Insights | June 23, 2025 43:08

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The Fed, Iran, and... wait, what's a hackathon? In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and Kevin Foley discuss the Fed’s cautious stance on interest rates, labor market signals, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Later in the episode, Jim Glennon and Kevin Foley explore the outcomes of Optimal…

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The Cost of Borrowing: How Personal & Public Spending Shape Interest Rates | June 16, 2025 31:35

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In this episode, the Optimal Insights team explores how rising personal and public debt levels are influencing interest rates and shaping the broader economic landscape. The discussion covers inflation trends, the Fed’s upcoming decisions, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on energy prices. The team also examines AI’s effect on electricity de…

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AI-Powered Mortgage Innovation With Joe Tyrrell | May 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 37:31

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Brennan O'Connell and Olivia DeLancey share an overview of exciting new additions to Optimal Blue's Market Advantage report. The monthly mortgage data report now includes a range of new data points, including property type and debt-to-income ratio, to provide a m…

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The Art of the Complex Loan: Vince Zenner on Non-QM Strategy | Market Updates | June 9, 2025 39:19

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In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the latest economic indicators, including employment data, inflation expectations, and treasury auctions. They explore the implications of recent job market trends, AI’s impact on entry-level employment, and the broader economic sentiment. A major focus is the growing momentum in the non-QM (non…

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Global Pressures, Sticky Rates: Forces Driving Interest Rates Higher | Optimal Insights | June 2, 2025 26:39

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In this episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon is joined by Jeff McCarty and Alex Hebner to discuss why interest rates remain stubbornly high and what it means for the mortgage industry. The team explores inflation trends, global debt pressures, and the structural shifts reshaping the long-term rate environment. Key Topics: Market Snapshot: OBMMI…

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Market Disruptors, GSE Shakeups, and Insights from the MBA Secondary Conference | Optimal Insights | May 27, 2025 38:02

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In the May 23 episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon is joined by Alex Hebner, Vimi Vasudeva, and Kimberly Melton to discuss the latest developments in the mortgage industry, including market volatility, policy shifts, and key takeaways from the MBA Secondary Conference in New York City. Key Insights: Market Update & Economic Trends Interest…

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AI Unpacked: Leveraging AI to Transform Mortgage Operations | Optimal Insights | May 19, 2025 41:15

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In the May 19 episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon is joined by James Cahill, Kevin Foley, and Shawn Chandwani for a discussion on the current economic landscape and the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the mortgage industry. Key Insights: Market Update & Economic Trends Inflation Metrics: The Consumer Price Index (CP…

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The Role of Tech Innovation in Mortgage Lending With Optimal Blue CPO Erin Wester | April 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 32:48

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Brennan O'Connell and Olivia DeLancey kick things off with a discussion on the April 2025 mortgage rate lock data and market trends from the Market Advantage report. Later, they are joined by Optimal Blue Chief Product Officer Erin Wester to explore the impact of…

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Fed Announcements and Trade Deals: Seeking Clarity in Economic Uncertainty | May 12, 2025 24:38

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In the May 12 episode of Optimal Insights, Optimal Blue experts Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and James Cahill discuss recent economic developments, including the Federal Reserve's latest rate decisions, the impact of tariffs on the economy, and the surprising agreement with China on tariffs. They also cover market conditions, the state of the mortgag…

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Recent Trends in Mortgage Servicing and Upcoming Fed Announcements | May 5, 2025 31:04

8M ago31:04

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In the May 5 episode of Optimal Insights, Optimal Blue experts Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner discuss recent economic data, including non-farm payroll numbers, GDP figures, and the Federal Reserve's upcoming rate decisions. Later in the episode, Jeff and Vimi Vasudeva discuss the latest developments in the mortgage servicing rights (MSR…

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Wells Fargo's Kevin Jackson on Tariffs, Stagflation, and the Future of Housing | April 28, 2025 45:18

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner discuss the latest market trends. Special guest Kevin Jackson from Wells Fargo joins to provide an in-depth analysis of tariffs, their impact on inflation and stagflation, and the Fed's potential responses. Key Points: Market Trends: Jim Glennon and Alex Hebner a…

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Navigating Economic Policy Conflicts: The Fed & the White House | April 21, 2025 25:14

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In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner discuss the latest market trends, including the impact of tariffs and the dynamics between the Federal Reserve and the executive branch. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscap…

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Market Update & Mastering Mortgage Closing Costs With Lodestar CEO Jim Paolino | April 14, 2025 35:21

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In this week's episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner discuss the latest market trends and the impact of tariffs, providing crucial insights into how these factors are shaping the mortgage industry. Later, Jim Paolino, CEO of Lodestar, and Kevin Foley join Jim for a discussion about accurate fee management, highligh…

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BONUS: Navigating Tariff Changes: Impact on the Mortgage Industry With Chris Maloney 32:51

9M ago32:51

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In this bonus episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, and special guest Chris Maloney discuss the impact of recent tariff changes on the mortgage industry. Jim Glennon, vice president of hedging and trading and client services at Optimal Blue, hosts this bonus episode. He is joined by Chris Maloney, mortgage strategist, and Alex Hebn…

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Driving Mortgage Market Profitability: Insights from Mike Vough | March 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue 41:30

9M ago41:30

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Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Olivia DeLancey and Brennan O'Connell are joined by Mike Vough, Optimal Blue’s head of corporate strategy, to discuss March 2025 mortgage rate lock data, the latest market trends, and the impact of technological innovations on driving profitability in the mortgag…

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This Week's Market Turbulence: Key Insights | April 7, 2025 28:07

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss recent market turbulence, including significant movements in equity markets, bond rates, and energy prices. They explore the implications of new US tariffs and retaliatory measures from countries like China, discussing how these actions might affect global trad…

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Transforming Mortgage Challenges into Opportunities with Dale Vermillion | March 31, 2025 50:03

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Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, join Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner as they discuss the current market and the potential impacts of the implementation of tariffs on April 2 (referred to as Liberation Day by the current administration). The team also discusses the monumental $9.4 billion acquisition o…