One Year, One Question, 12 Experts – How Can Lenders Maximize Profitability?

Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue

To celebrate one year, we compiled the responses from our 12 special guests on year one of the podcast:

“What’s the one thing lenders should do to maximize profitability?”

Hear actionable insights from industry leaders – including Optimal Blue’s executive team, top economists, tech innovators, and mortgage strategists. From leveraging AI and data to mastering client relationships and optimizing pricing, this episode is packed with actionable advice for mortgage professionals looking to maximize profitability.

Featured Guests:

• Julian Hebron (Founder, The Basis Point)
• Rob Kessel (Founder, Panoramic Capital Advisory and Consulting)
• Erin Wester (Chief Product Officer, Optimal Blue)
• Sarah Wheeler (Editor in Chief, HousingWire)
• Shant Banosian (President, Rate)
• Selma Hepp (Chief Economist, CoreLogic)
• Agha Mirza (Managing Director and Global Head of Rates & OTC, CME Group)
• Mike Vough (Head of Corporate Strategy, Optimal Blue)
• Dave Savage (Founder, Mortgage Coach)
• Seever Sulaiman (CTO, Optimal Blue)
• Joel Kan (VP, Deputy Chief Economist, Mortgage Bankers Association)
• Joe Tyrrell (CEO, Optimal Blue)

Links and Resources:

• Subscribe to the 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

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

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