Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the impact of recent economic data and holiday trading schedules on profitability.

Ben Larcombe highlights a notable uptick in existing home sales, marking the first year-over-year increase since 2021, while also cautioning about potential slowdowns due to rising rates. The conversation shifts to the political landscape with insights from the recent IMN conference, where Vimi Vasudeva shares critical topics, including the ongoing challenges of recapture strategies and the implications of a new administration's policies on mortgage servicing rights. With a focus on upcoming economic indicators, the panel encourages listeners to stay informed and adapt to the evolving market conditions.

Key Takeaways:

• The current economic climate demonstrates the challenges mortgage originators face in a competitive refinancing market.
• The podcast discusses the impact of recent cabinet picks on the mortgage servicing industry.
• Vimi highlights the relevance of technology in enabling subservicers to cross-sell financial products effectively.

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

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Optimal Blue
• CME
• Fannie Mae
• Freddie Mac
• Ginnie Mae

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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