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 technological innovations on driving profitability in the mortgage industry.

Key Takeaways:

• Volatile Rate Lock Activity: April experienced significant rate fluctuations due to macroeconomic factors, impacting rate lock volumes and borrower behavior.
• Market Performance: Purchase lock volumes increased by 7% MoM, while YoY purchase lock volume was down 5%.
• Refinance Activity: Rate-and-term refinance volumes fell 15% MoM, and cash-out refinances dropped 3%.
• Production Mix: Non-agency loan share decreased slightly, while FHA loans gained market share.
• Technological Innovations: Optimal Blue's introduction of Originator Assistant, enhanced Lock Extension workflows, and the overall importance of managing technical debt.
• Strategic Recommendations: Emphasis on leveraging all features of technology platforms and considering custom API implementations for unique business workflows.

• Subscribe to the Market Advantage data report: https://www2.optimalblue.com/market-advantage/
• View the latest Market Advantage data report: https://www2.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
• Erin Wester’s recent appearance on the HousingWire Daily podcast with Sarah Wheeler: https://www.housingwire.com/podcast/erin-wester-on-optimal-blues-evolution/
• Follow Erin Wester on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-wester-0996931b/
• Follow Brennan O'Connell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennan-oconnell/
• Follow Olivia DeLancey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-delancey/

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

Summit - MA

AI at Optimal Blue – Innovation That Delivers for Your Bottom Line

Is your technology vendor selling real solutions – or just the idea of them? Too often, companies pitch big returns, offer free trials, and promise seamless automation, only to reveal during implementation that the tech doesn’t actually exist. At Optimal Blue, we take a different approach. Our AI-powered automation is already live, already delivering, and already saving lenders real dollars. We show you exactly where the ROI comes from and how it reduces risk – no vague timelines, just proven technology that’s working in production today. AI at Optimal Blue isn’t just about delivering software; it’s about empowering lenders to make smarter decisions, operate more efficiently, and stay ahead of the curve. Built around real capital markets challenges, informed by direct engagement with thousands of clients, and focused on delivering measurable value at no additional cost to clients, while others talk about AI, we’re delivering it – Innovation That Delivers for Your Bottom Line.

AI at Optimal Blue - MA