Latest news with #OptimalBlue
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Optimal Blue Releases Executive-Level AI Insights Tool, Ask Obi, to Clients
- The no-cost, AI-powered assistant is built for executive decision-makers seeking fast answers to complex business profitability questions - PLANO, Texas, May 19, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today announced that Ask Obi, an AI-powered assistant designed to help mortgage lending executives extract real-time insights from across Optimal Blue's capital markets platform, is now generally available to all PPE clients. Introduced at the company's inaugural user conference in February and refined through beta testing with select clients, Ask Obi provides executives with fast answers to complex profitability questions at no additional cost. Ask Obi is built for executive decision-makers who need reliable, data-driven answers to complex business questions. By aggregating data across Optimal Blue's solutions, it enables users to ask conversational questions – such as 'where did margins shift the most last quarter?' or 'which branches issued the highest concessions last month?' – and receive clear, visual responses that support confident, strategic decisions. An interface sidebar retains previous queries, making it easy to revisit past prompts or rerun commonly used questions with a single click. 'Ask Obi fills a critical need for lending leaders: making capital markets performance data not just accessible, but actionable,' said Erin Wester, chief product officer at Optimal Blue. 'What makes Ask Obi stand apart is its ability to synthesize information across systems. Most AI tools in our space are focused narrowly on origination workflows, but Ask Obi helps executive teams view their operations holistically and at a level that's often difficult to achieve without a dedicated analyst.' Although available as a standalone product, Ask Obi is powered by and seamlessly connected to other Optimal Blue offerings. The more products a client uses, the deeper and more contextual Ask Obi's insights become. As part of a broader rollout of AI-powered capabilities, Ask Obi complements tools like Optimal Blue's recently launched Originator Assistant, which helps front-line originators compare and present optimal loan scenarios. Ask Obi's general availability comes just ahead of the Mortgage Bankers Association's Secondary and Capital Markets Conference and marks another milestone in a series of planned enhancements for Optimal Blue clients this year. About Optimal Blue Optimal Blue effectively bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform. The company helps lenders of all sizes and scopes maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Through innovative technology, a network of interconnectivity, rich data insights, and expertise gathered over more than 20 years, Optimal Blue is an experienced partner that, in any market environment, allows lenders to optimize their advantage from pricing accuracy to margin protection, and every step in between. To learn more, visit LOGO link for media: NEWS SOURCE: Optimal Blue ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Leslie W. Colley Depth for Optimal Blue [email protected] (678) 622-6229 ### Keywords: FinTech, Ask Obi, Optimal Blue, AI Insights Tool, fintech, mortgage lending executives, capital markets platform, PLANO, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Optimal Blue) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126254 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Associated Press
13-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Lock Volume Rises 3.2% in April, Driven by Uptick in FHA Loans, Despite Economic Volatility
- Optimal Blue's April 2025 Market Advantage data report shows stronger purchase activity, a shifting loan mix, and signs of investor caution - PLANO, Texas, May 13, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today released its April 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report showing total loan lock volume rose 3.2% month-over-month (MoM) as the spring homebuying season progressed, with purchase locks up 7.5% despite ongoing economic pressures. April kicked off with significant volatility in the bond market as investors responded to tariff announcements. Over the first 10 days of the month, interest rates fluctuated between 6.48% and 6.98%, a 50-basis-point (bps) range. The benchmark OBMMI 30-year conforming fixed rate briefly fell below 6.5% for the first time since October 2024 before climbing to end the month at 6.7%, about 10 bps above where it started. 'Last month's report showed early signs of spring homebuyer activity, and April confirms the season is underway with a solid increase in purchase locks,' said Brennan O'Connell, director of data solutions at Optimal Blue. 'We also saw a shift toward FHA loans, often used by first-time or credit-challenged buyers, and away from non-conforming products, possibly reflecting investor caution in response to broader economic uncertainty.' Key findings from the Market Advantage report, derived from direct-source mortgage lock data, include: The full Market Advantage report, which provides more detailed findings and additional insights into U.S. mortgage market trends, can be viewed at (PDF): This month's Market Advantage podcast features Optimal Blue Chief Product Officer Erin Wester, discussing the impact of technological innovations in the mortgage industry. Watch or listen to the episode: About the Market Advantage Report Optimal Blue issues the Market Advantage mortgage data report each month to provide early insight into U.S. mortgage trends. Leveraging lender rate lock data from the Optimal Blue PPE – the mortgage industry's most widely used product, pricing, and eligibility engine – the Market Advantage provides a view of early-stage origination activity. Unlike self-reported survey data, mortgage lock data is direct-source data that accurately reflects the in-process loans in lenders' pipelines. Nothing herein shall be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice. About Optimal Blue Optimal Blue effectively bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform. The company helps lenders of all sizes and scopes maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Through innovative technology, a network of interconnectivity, rich data insights, and expertise gathered over more than 20 years, Optimal Blue is an experienced partner that, in any market environment, allows lenders to optimize their advantage from pricing accuracy to margin protection, and every step in between. To learn more, visit MULTIMEDIA: Image link for media: Image caption: Optimal Blue's April 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report. NEWS SOURCE: Optimal Blue ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Leslie W. Colley Depth for Optimal Blue [email protected] (678) 622-6229 ### Keywords: Mortgage, Optimal Blue, Market Advantage mortgage data report, FHA Loans, housing market, PLANO, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Optimal Blue) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126135 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Associated Press
02-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Optimal Blue Brings AI-Powered Originator Assistant to Market, Helping Originators Present Best Possible Loan Options to Borrowers
- Leader in mortgage capital markets technology delivers on innovations unveiled at Summit user conference - PLANO, Texas, May 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today announced the general availability of Originator Assistant, a powerful addition to the Optimal Blue PPE. Leveraging generative AI, Originator Assistant eliminates human bias in the loan structuring process and helps originators identify all options for a borrower, providing more ways to help consumers realize the American dream of homeownership. Unveiled at the inaugural Optimal Blue Summit in February and now available to all Optimal Blue PPE clients using the enhanced originator interface, Originator Assistant is an AI-powered recommendation engine that simplifies loan structuring by identifying alternate scenarios with more competitive pricing. The tool automatically detects pricing breakpoints and suggests opportunities for more strategic loan discussions, saving loan officers time and eliminating manual guesswork. The tool evaluates loan options based on various parameters while searching for pricing incentives on the peripheral or opportunities for adjustment to achieve different terms. Combined with Scenario Optimizer, which enables side-by-side comparisons, Originator Assistant gives lenders a distinct advantage in presenting the best options to borrowers. Further building on its delivery of innovation, Optimal Blue also announced the beta release of enhanced Lock Extensions workflows, a feature reimagined in close collaboration with the company's clients. The feature gives lenders greater control, automation and flexibility over lock extension policy management. The new Lock Extensions experience allows Optimal Blue PPE users to configure policies across multiple investors using global product groups, significantly reducing manual work and complexity. It also introduces a step-by-step configuration workflow, advanced toggles to support compliance considerations, and automation tools for processing and tracking extension requests. Together, Originator Assistant and Lock Extensions help lenders respond faster to market conditions, reduce manual error and apply lock policies with greater consistency and precision. 'Originator Assistant and our enhanced Lock Extensions feature are great examples of how we listen closely to our customers and build solutions that solve real problems,' said Erin Wester, chief product officer at Optimal Blue. 'These latest enhancements demonstrate that innovation is not just a promise at Optimal Blue, it's a practice. Our clients can continue to expect exciting product updates as Optimal Blue heads toward the MBA Secondary and Capital Markets conference later this month.' Both enhancements are accessible by Optimal Blue PPE clients with no setup required. Originator Assistant runs automatically, and existing lock extension policies will be migrated to the new Lock Extensions experience, allowing clients to begin making updates right away. Additional innovations introduced at the Optimal Blue Summit, including Rules Optimizer, Ask Obi and the Solution Center, are expected to reach general availability later this spring. About Optimal Blue Optimal Blue effectively bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform. The company helps lenders of all sizes and scopes maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Through innovative technology, a network of interconnectivity, rich data insights, and expertise gathered over more than 20 years, Optimal Blue is an experienced partner that, in any market environment, allows lenders to optimize their advantage from pricing accuracy to margin protection, and every step in between. To learn more, visit LOGO link for media: NEWS SOURCE: Optimal Blue ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Leslie W. Colley Depth for Optimal Blue [email protected] (678) 622-6229 ### Keywords: Mortgage, Optimal Blue, fintech, Originator Assistant, Optimal Blue PPE, finance AI, mortgage AI, PLANO, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Optimal Blue) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P125900 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Homeowners and home buyers seize a brief — but steep — drop in mortgage rates
A brief, big dip in mortgage rates this week prompted homeowners and home buyers to seize the moment, sending mortgage applications to a six-month high. Mortgage rates dropped to the lowest level in five months, due in part to financial markets feeling uncertain about the future of the U.S. economy in the face of widespread tariffs on imported goods. 'This is not in my tolerance level': I inherited a $600K portfolio from my father. Should I move it all into bonds? Here's what it may take for this beaten-down stock market to solidly rebound The stock market staged an epic rally after Trump's tariff pause. Volatility will continue. Trump's tariff pause takes away bad outcomes — but this UBS strategist says investors should still sell rallies. These 20 stocks have risen during Trump's trade tirade. Analysts see up to 30% additional upside. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 6.61% as of April 4, which spurred a jump in home-buying and refinancing activity, according to a weekly report by the Mortgage Bankers Association, an industry trade group. Purchase activity, which refers to home buyers applying for mortgages to purchase a home, rose 9.2% from the week prior. The data suggest that many home buyers have been waiting for lower rates. The housing market is in one of its busiest seasons, and a dip in rates came at the right time for those fed up with high prices and high interest rates. The median U.S. price of an existing home as of February was $398,400. Refinance activity rose 35.3% from the previous week. 'Refinance applications rose … to the highest level in six months, as borrowers with larger loan sizes tend to be more sensitive to rate changes,' Joel Kan, deputy chief economist and vice president at the MBA, said in a statement. The average size of the loan being refinanced over the week was $399,600, he noted. Mortgage rates across various types of home loans plunged across the board. The average contract rate for a 30-year mortgage for homes sold for $806,500 or less was 6.61% for the week ending April 4. That was down 9 basis points from the previous week. The rate for jumbo loans, or 30-year mortgages for homes sold for more than $806,500, was 6.65%, down 11 basis points from the previous week. The average rate for a 30-year mortgage backed by the Federal Housing Administration was 6.33%, down 4 basis points from the week prior. Those loans are often used by first-time home buyers. The average 15-year mortgage rate was down 11 basis points, to 5.93%. The rate for five-year adjustable-rate mortgages was down 11 basis points, to 5.93%. Rate-and-term refinances saw the biggest jump in volume, increasing 52% from a month ago, according to a monthly report by Optimal Blue, a mortgage-data platform. Homeowners were also swapping out their current mortgages for bigger ones. Cash-out refinances jumped 20% in March compared to the previous month, Optimal Blue said. S&P 500 rebound collapses in biggest U-turn since at least 1978. Investors can't shake tariff jitters. I'm 5 years from retiring. Before Wednesday's rally, I moved my money into non-U.S. stocks. Did I make a big mistake? Here's the unsettling reason the world's most important market is getting hammered by Trump's tariffs 'She has been telling him lies': My sister convinced my father to sign everything over to her. What can I do? This strategist told investors to raise cash — in November. Now he sees a path to Dow 50,000 and $200 oil Sign in to access your portfolio
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Cooler Interest Rates Heat Up Refinances and Spark Early Signs of Purchase Demand
- Optimal Blue's March 2025 Market Advantage report shows an increase in non-conforming share as buyers seek greater flexibility and higher loan limits - PLANO, Texas, April 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Optimal Blue today released its March 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a 24% surge in rate lock volume as early spring buyers returned to the market and homeowners jumped at the chance to refinance into lower rates. While still down 2% on a year-over-year (YoY) basis, purchase volumes were up 21% month-over-month (MoM). Rate-and-term and cash-out refinances jumped 52% and 20% MoM, respectively, together representing 25% of all lock activity. 'March brought a notable shift in borrower behavior,' said Brennan O'Connell, director of data solutions at Optimal Blue. 'Refinances made up a quarter of all lock activity for the first time in six months, and we saw a clear rise in non-conforming loan share as buyers looked for more flexible options and higher loan amounts. These are key indicators that consumers are actively adapting to the current rate environment.' Key findings from the Market Advantage report, derived from direct-source mortgage lock data, include: Refinances take share from purchase loans: Strong growth in refi activity during March pushed the share of refinances up to 25%, the highest level seen since September 2024. The pull-through rate for refinances was 63.3%. Purchase volume up MoM, but down YoY: Despite positive MoM momentum, purchase activity was down 2% YoY. Isolating loan counts instead of dollar volume – effectively controlling for home price appreciation – reveals an even steeper 6% decline in purchase activity. The pull-through rate for purchase loans was 82.9%. Non-conforming share rises: Conforming loan production continued to hover near historic lows, while non-Agency loan share hit its highest level since April of 2022. Non-conforming loans, which include jumbo and non-QM loans, accounted for 16.8% of total rate lock volume. Conforming loan share fell to 51% and FHA share dropped to 19.6%, while VA volume inched upward, reaching nearly 12% share. Adjustable-rate mortgages gain steam: ARMs accounted for just below 9% of total rate lock volume in March, a result tied to growing demand for non-conforming loan options. Optimal Blue will continue to monitor this data point as buyers search for greater affordability. Rates stay relatively flat: After a strong rally the last week of February, the OBMMI 30-year conforming fixed rate – the benchmark for the CME Group's Mortgage Rate futures – finished the month flat at 6.6%. FHA rates fell 8 basis points (bps) to 6.27%, while VA and jumbo rates rose a modest 3 and 4 bps to 6.13% and 6.73%, respectively. Refi credit quality ticks higher: March saw a 3-point increase in average credit scores for both cash-out and rate-and-term refinances, rising to 735 and 699, respectively, as higher-credit homeowners acted quickly on refinance opportunities. DTI trends downward: The average debt-to-income (DTI) ratio across all loans dropped from February's 37.3% to 36.7% in March, reflecting income growth outpacing the rise in household debt [*note 1]. This fall in DTI represents a healthier balance between monthly income and debt than tracked in previous months. Loan sizes grow alongside home prices: The average home purchase price rose from February's $480.2K to $486.9K in March, driving a MoM increase in average loan amount from $380.5K to $391.7K. The full Market Advantage report, which provides more detailed findings and additional insights into U.S. mortgage market trends, can be viewed at (PDF): This month's Market Advantage podcast features Optimal Blue Head of Corporate Strategy Mike Vough, offering additional market insights. Watch or listen to the episode: About the Market Advantage Report Optimal Blue issues the Market Advantage mortgage data report each month to provide early insight into U.S. mortgage trends. Leveraging lender rate lock data from the Optimal Blue PPE – the mortgage industry's most widely used product, pricing, and eligibility engine – the Market Advantage provides a view of early-stage origination activity. Unlike self-reported survey data, mortgage lock data is direct-source data that accurately reflects the in-process loans in lenders' pipelines. Nothing herein shall be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice. About Optimal Blue Optimal Blue effectively bridges the primary and secondary mortgage markets to deliver the industry's only end-to-end capital markets platform. The company helps lenders of all sizes and scopes maximize profitability and operate efficiently so they can help American borrowers achieve the dream of homeownership. Through innovative technology, a network of interconnectivity, rich data insights, and expertise gathered over more than 20 years, Optimal Blue is an experienced partner that, in any market environment, allows lenders to optimize their advantage from pricing accuracy to margin protection, and every step in between. To learn more, visit ### MEDIA ONLY CONTACT: (not for publication online or in print) Leslie W. Colley Depth for Optimal Blue [email protected] (678) 622-6229 ### Keywords: Mortgage, Market Advantage mortgage data report, Optimal Blue, mortgage lock data, Conforming loan production, PLANO, Texas This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (Optimal Blue) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P125367 APNF0325A
