Episode Details

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 suggestion that rates should be two points lower than current levels.

Taylor Rule: i=r∗+π+0.5(π−π∗)+0.5(y−y∗)

·     i = Target federal funds rate

·     r* = Equilibrium real interest rate (often assumed to be around 2%)

·     π = Current inflation rate

·     π* = Target inflation rate (commonly 2%)

·     y = Log of real GDP

·      y* = Log of potential GDP (i.e., full employment output)

Later in the episode, Olivia DeLancey joins Jim Glennon to share highlights from the ACUMA Annual Conference. Olivia reflects on the collaborative spirit of credit unions, their focus on member experience, and the marketing challenges faced by credit union loan officers. Her insights emphasize the importance of content strategy and community-driven engagement in the mortgage space.

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
• Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager
• Kevin Foley, Director of Product Management
• Olivia DeLancey, Director of Communications and Public Relations

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 Study - MarketWise Advisors

Mortgage capital markets decisions have a direct impact on lender profitability, efficiency, and risk management. To better understand that impact, Optimal Blue commissioned an independent ROI study with MarketWise Advisors, analyzing data from hundreds of mortgage lenders, including banks, credit unions, and independent mortgage banks. The Optimal Blue ROI Study highlights consistent gains in operational efficiency, pricing accuracy, and financial performance for lenders using Optimal Blue technology. Key findings include an average $1,006 net financial benefit per loan, nearly 45% greater operational capacity, and strong return on investment reported by PPE clients, with results consistent across lender types. The full 2026 Optimal Blue ROI Study will be released in May and provides a data‑driven look at how mortgage capital markets technology can support better execution and decision‑making. 👉 Sign up to be notified when the full report is released: OptimalBlue.com/2026-study

ROI Study

Lock Loans on the Go – Mobile Locking in the Optimal Blue Mobile App

Traditional loan locking slows decisions and ties you to a desk, but borrowers expect instant answers. Optimal Blue’s Mobile Locking changes the game. With our native iOS and Android app, loan officers can access their pipeline, run pricing, and lock loans anytime, anywhere – fast, secure, and accurate. No delays. No extra cost. Just seamless mobility that enhances the borrower experience. Download the Optimal Blue Mobile App today and start locking loans on the go.

Mobile Locking