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Shifting Tides: Rates, Jobs, and AI Momentum | Optimal Insights | Aug. 25, 2025
Manage episode 502477512 series 3602753
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 Discussed:
- Federal Reserve Commentary: Analysis of Chairman Powell’s recent remarks and their implications for interest rate policy.
- Labor Market Dynamics: Unemployment trends, immigration’s impact on job creation, and the reliability of BLS data.
- Economic Indicators: OBMMI at 6.57, 10-year Treasury at 4.25%, and expectations for a Fed rate cut in September.
- CMBA Western Secondary Recap: Optimism in the market, rise of non-QM lending, consolidation trends, and margin optimization.
- HousingWire AI Summit Recap: Rapid AI development, ROI evaluation, compliance and security concerns, and sustainable productivity.
Tune in to gain valuable insights to help you stay ahead and maximize your profitability in the ever-evolving mortgage landscape.
Optimal Insights Team:
- Jim Glennon, Vice President of Hedging and Trading Client Services
- Jeff McCarty, Vice President of Hedging and Trading Product
- James Cahill, MSR Account Manager
- Kevin Foley, Director of Product Management
Optimal Blue Production Team:
- Executive Producer: Sara Holtz
- Producers: Matt Gilhooly & Hailey Røise
Commentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice.
Mentioned in this episode:
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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