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 capital markets expertise to the conversation.

Rob shares insights on capital markets training and secondary marketing strategy, covering foundational concepts like the best efforts versus mandatory spread, pull-through modeling, and loan sale execution. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, data-driven decision-making, and continuous education in maximizing lender profitability. The conversation also explores how AI and evolving technologies are reshaping the mortgage landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Loans sold to aggregators dropped from 38% to 35%, while agency-backed executions rose, highlighting a shift in lender strategy amid changing market conditions.
• Purchase pull-through rates climbed to nearly 85%, suggesting stronger borrower commitment even as rate volatility introduces new hedging complexities.
• Understanding the best efforts versus mandatory spread is crucial for lenders deciding when to take on risk and how to price loans effectively.

• Subscribe to the Market Advantage data report: https://engage.optimalblue.com/market-advantage
• Follow Optimal Blue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-blue/
• Subscribe to Optimal Blue’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Optimal-Blue
• Follow Rob Kessel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kessel-66776a6/
• Learn more about Panoramic Capital Advisory and Consulting: https://panoramiccap.com/
• Follow Mike Vough on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vough-60467826/
• Follow Olivia DeLancey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-delancey/

Mentioned in this episode:

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

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