Get the insights you need to maximize your profitability this week. Welcome to OPTIMAL INSIGHTS, brought to you by Optimal Blue. Join our experts as they explore the latest real-time rate data and provide essential commentary spanning from originations to capital markets – insights you need to hear as you start your week. Designed for mortgage professionals, from originators to investors and everyone in between, each episode offers valuable information to help you maximize profitability and ...
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Beyond the Ridge, a series of conversations in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada, brings together Vimy Foundation program alumni and expert academics to examine knowledge of the First World War and how it relates to the Canadian experience today. // Présentée en partenariat avec l’Office national du film du Canada, Par-delà la Crête est une série de conversations qui rassemble des participant-e-s aux programmes de la Fondation Vimy et des expert-e-s dont les connaissances de ...
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History of a small town in British Columbia during the Great War with letters from the men at the front and how they saw action in all the major Canadian engagements.
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Welcome to the Mess: 150 years of Cape Breton Highlander tradition. For the last 150 years, the Cape Breton Highlanders have welcomed men and women from all walks of life into our ranks. Together, we have protected the lives and homes of Canadians across the country in conflicts such as World War I, World War II, and the War in Afghanistan. We have also preserved a fierce and passionate Highland-Scot tradition through their colours, tartans, songs, and stories. The Cape Breton Highlanders ar ...
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Millionaire playboy, Cranston Walker, returned from the Great War a changed man. Haunted by what he saw in the trenches, he has come to believe that a woman may hold the answers to end his suffering; a mysterious, underworld figure known as Neon Jezebel.
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In 1987 I committed my life to presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It has taken me on a journey I could never have imagined. Soon after I became a Christian, I began experimenting with fresh ways of communicating the message of Jesus on the streets. It led to mobile stage vehicles and a church on wheels! In recent years, I've developed an online presence through short films that have gone around the world. I remain devoted to exploring new ways to communicate God’s rescue plan for humanit ...
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WAR JUNK: THE PODCAST is based on the popular TV series hosted by Professor David O'Keefe and filmmaker Wayne Abbott. The War Junk duo will continue telling stories of war through mysterious artifacts and remnants they've found on battlefields around the world. They will also have weekly guests to discuss stories of war and rare artifacts. And as the podcast develops they will be searching for anyone with mystery artifacts or stories of loved ones who fought in battle. You can contact the te ...
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Market Pulse, Global Headlines & Behind the Scenes of the Optimal Blue Hackathon | Optimal Insights | June 23, 2025
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43:08The Fed, Iran, and... wait, what's a hackathon? In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and Kevin Foley discuss the Fed’s cautious stance on interest rates, labor market signals, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Later in the episode, Jim Glennon and Kevin Foley explore the outcomes of Optimal…
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The Cost of Borrowing: How Personal & Public Spending Shape Interest Rates | June 16, 2025
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31:35In this episode, the Optimal Insights team explores how rising personal and public debt levels are influencing interest rates and shaping the broader economic landscape. The discussion covers inflation trends, the Fed’s upcoming decisions, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on energy prices. The team also examines AI’s effect on electricity de…
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The Art of the Complex Loan: Vince Zenner on Non-QM Strategy | Market Updates | June 9, 2025
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39:04In this episode, the Optimal Insights team dives into the latest economic indicators, including employment data, inflation expectations, and treasury auctions. They explore the implications of recent job market trends, AI’s impact on entry-level employment, and the broader economic sentiment. A major focus is the growing momentum in the non-QM (non…
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Global Pressures, Sticky Rates: Forces Driving Interest Rates Higher | Optimal Insights | June 2, 2025
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26:24In this episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon is joined by Jeff McCarty and Alex Hebner to discuss why interest rates remain stubbornly high and what it means for the mortgage industry. The team explores inflation trends, global debt pressures, and the structural shifts reshaping the long-term rate environment. Key Topics: Market Snapshot: OBMMI…
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Market Disruptors, GSE Shakeups, and Insights from the MBA Secondary Conference | Optimal Insights | May 27, 2025
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37:48In the May 23 episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon is joined by Alex Hebner, Vimi Vasudeva, and Kimberly Melton to discuss the latest developments in the mortgage industry, including market volatility, policy shifts, and key takeaways from the MBA Secondary Conference in New York City. Key Insights: Market Update & Economic Trends Interest…
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AI Unpacked: Leveraging AI to Transform Mortgage Operations | Optimal Insights | May 19, 2025
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41:15In the May 19 episode of Optimal Insights, host Jim Glennon is joined by James Cahill, Kevin Foley, and Shawn Chandwani for a discussion on the current economic landscape and the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the mortgage industry. Key Insights: Market Update & Economic Trends Inflation Metrics: The Consumer Price Index (CP…
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Fed Announcements and Trade Deals: Seeking Clarity in Economic Uncertainty | May 12, 2025
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24:38In the May 12 episode of Optimal Insights, Optimal Blue experts Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and James Cahill discuss recent economic developments, including the Federal Reserve's latest rate decisions, the impact of tariffs on the economy, and the surprising agreement with China on tariffs. They also cover market conditions, the state of the mortgag…
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FALL OF SAIGON 1975 AND THE NAPALM GIRL | The Vietnam War and Kim Phúc’s journey to forgiveness
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7:47By Steve Lee
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Recent Trends in Mortgage Servicing and Upcoming Fed Announcements | May 5, 2025
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31:04In the May 5 episode of Optimal Insights, Optimal Blue experts Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner discuss recent economic data, including non-farm payroll numbers, GDP figures, and the Federal Reserve's upcoming rate decisions. Later in the episode, Jeff and Vimi Vasudeva discuss the latest developments in the mortgage servicing rights (MSR…
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Wells Fargo's Kevin Jackson on Tariffs, Stagflation, and the Future of Housing | April 28, 2025
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45:18In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner discuss the latest market trends. Special guest Kevin Jackson from Wells Fargo joins to provide an in-depth analysis of tariffs, their impact on inflation and stagflation, and the Fed's potential responses. Key Points: Market Trends: Jim Glennon and Alex Hebner a…
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Navigating Economic Policy Conflicts: The Fed & the White House | April 21, 2025
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25:14In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner discuss the latest market trends, including the impact of tariffs and the dynamics between the Federal Reserve and the executive branch. They share their expert opinions and insight into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscap…
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BATTLE OF VIMY RIDGE WORLD WAR 1 | Canada’s Great Easter Battle at Vimy Ridge in 1917
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7:08By Steve Lee
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Market Update & Mastering Mortgage Closing Costs With Lodestar CEO Jim Paolino | April 14, 2025
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35:21In this week's episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner discuss the latest market trends and the impact of tariffs, providing crucial insights into how these factors are shaping the mortgage industry. Later, Jim Paolino, CEO of Lodestar, and Kevin Foley join Jim for a discussion about accurate fee management, highligh…
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BONUS: Navigating Tariff Changes: Impact on the Mortgage Industry With Chris Maloney
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32:51In this bonus episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, and special guest Chris Maloney discuss the impact of recent tariff changes on the mortgage industry. Jim Glennon, vice president of hedging and trading and client services at Optimal Blue, hosts this bonus episode. He is joined by Chris Maloney, mortgage strategist, and Alex Hebn…
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This Week's Market Turbulence: Key Insights | April 7, 2025
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28:07Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss recent market turbulence, including significant movements in equity markets, bond rates, and energy prices. They explore the implications of new US tariffs and retaliatory measures from countries like China, discussing how these actions might affect global trad…
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Transforming Mortgage Challenges into Opportunities with Dale Vermillion | March 31, 2025
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50:03Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, join Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner as they discuss the current market and the potential impacts of the implementation of tariffs on April 2 (referred to as Liberation Day by the current administration). The team also discusses the monumental $9.4 billion acquisition o…
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Découvrez un premier aperçu de Mémorial de Vimy : Histoires vivantes—une nouvelle façon d’explorer l’histoire grâce à l’application mémorielle de la Fondation Vimy. Youtube: https://youtu.be/idrNMjhna9cBy Vimy Foundation
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Get a first look at Vimy Memorial: Living Stories—a new way to explore history through the Vimy Foundation’s living memorial app. Watch on YouTubeBy Vimy Foundation
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Navigating Economic Uncertainty and Rising Delinquencies | March 24, 2025
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31:56Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the latest economic trends and their impact on the mortgage industry. Host Jim Glennon, joined by experts Alex Hebner and Vimi Vasudeva, covers key topics such as the recent Fed meeting, the implications of rising delinquencies on government loans, and the effe…
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How Tariff-Induced Volatility is Impacting Market Rates | March 17, 2025
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31:25Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, and Ben Larcombe discuss the current state of the market, focusing on volatility, the impact of tariffs, inflation trends, and consumer sentiment. They analyze how these factors influence economic projections and the Federal Reserve's potential actions. T…
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Insights from Down Payment Resource CEO Rob Chrane | Current Market Volatility | March 10, 2025
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43:34Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, host Jim Glennon and cohosts discuss the past week's market volatility. They cover employment trends and rising consumer debt, providing a comprehensive overview of the current economic landscape. Later, they are joined by special guest Rob Chrane, CEO of Down Payment Resource, wh…
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WW2 DAMBUSTERS RAID | The Incredible Story of Operation Chastise, 617 Squadron and Barnes Wallis
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Market Movers: Unpacking Housing Economics | March 3, 2025
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34:47Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights! In this episode, our experts share the latest economic data and the key takeaways from the HousingWire Housing Economic Summit. We break down the current economic indicators, including a promising trend in mortgage rates, which are hovering around 6.6%, a level not seen since early this year. The …
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Economic Landscape Unpacked: Q1 2025 Review (So Far) | Feb. 24, 2025
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26:14Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Alex Hebner kick things off by discussing the current mortgage rates, which have hovered around the mid to high sixes, making it challenging for any significant refinancing activity to take off. Both consumer and homebuilder sentiments have taken a hit, reflecting br…
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BONUS: Driving Profitability & Innovation at No Additional Cost – Joe Tyrrell | Optimal Blue Summit 2025
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27:30At the first annual Optimal Blue Summit, Joe Tyrrell, CEO of Optimal Blue, reflects on past industry challenges, the importance of preparation, and the rapid advancements in technology. He shares insights on Optimal Blue's new core competencies, including flexibility, transparency, innovation, value, and control, all aimed at increasing profitabili…
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Understanding Builder Forward Commitments in Today's Market | Feb. 18, 2025
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29:42Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. Join Jim Glennon, Ben Larcombe, and Jeff Casella as they dive into the pressing issues facing today's market, with a special focus on how high inflation is impacting mortgage rates. Jim kicks off the episode by exploring how the current economic environment is shaping builder strategies, particula…
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Essential Economic Insights | Sasha Hewlett Discusses the MBA's 2025 Focus | Feb. 10, 2025
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36:04Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, Jim Glennon and Alex Hebner discuss the current state of the market, focusing on the recent dip in mortgage rates and its implications for all of us. Special Guest: Sasha Hewlett, associate vice president of secondary & capital markets at the Mortgage Bankers Association, joins us…
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BONUS: Optimal Blue Summit Recap: Product Launches, Key Insights, and More
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35:45Welcome to this bonus episode of Optimal Insights. Recorded on-site at the inaugural Optimal Blue Summit, Jim Glennon, Vimi Vasudeva, and Kevin Foley shared some insights from our general sessions and breakout sessions. The team also discussed the seven product announcements unveiled live at the first general session with Optimal Blue CEO Joe Tyrre…
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From Tariffs to AI Tech: What’s Shaping the Market Today | Feb. 3, 2025
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28:52Welcome to this week's episode of Optimal Insights! In this episode, our experts discuss the current state of the economy, the impact of tariffs, and the latest advancements in artificial intelligence. Recent data indicates that interest rates remain resilient, and we continue to grapple with inflation—it's quite the rollercoaster ride. Join Jim Gl…
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Impact of California Fires on the Industry & Optimal Blue Summit Preview | Jan. 27, 2025
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29:08Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights! Our experts discuss the current economic landscape, the impact of the California fires on mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), and give an exciting preview of the upcoming Optimal Blue Summit. Discussion Highlights: Economic Resilience and Challenges: Jim Glennon and Alex Hebner discuss the economy's…
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WW2 OPERATION PEDESTAL | THE DARING CONVOY TO MALTA in 1942 and the SS Ohio
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Market Insights | New Market Instrument Launch: Mortgage Rate Futures | Jan. 21, 2025
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32:25Welcome to Optimal Insights. In this episode, Optimal Blue experts discuss the launch of the Mortgage Rate (OB30C) futures contract. This capital markets instrument represents a significant advancement in hedging strategies for lenders, providing a new tool that directly relates to the primary mortgage rate. Jim Glennon, Ben Larcombe, and Kevin Fol…
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Navigating the Markets: Understanding Jobs, Inflation, and Interest Rates | Jan. 13, 2025
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37:07In this episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, and Ben Larcombe discuss the latest economic indicators impacting the mortgage industry. They explore the implications of last week's strong jobs report, rising mortgage rates, and key inflation metrics, providing insights on how these factors influence lending practices and the broader…
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Economic Insights | CapitalW Collective: Empowering Women in Mortgage Finance | Jan 6, 2025
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40:26Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss current economic landscape as we enter 2025, alongside conversation with Amy Creason and Pat Peters about the initiatives of Capital W Collective, an organization dedicated to promoting gender diversity in mortgage capital markets. Jim Glennon and Alex Hebner a…
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Looking Ahead to 2025 & Year-End Market Wrap | Dec. 23, 2024
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31:24Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts offer an analysis of the economic landscape as we approach the new year. Jim Glennon, Jeff McCarty, and Ben Larcombe discuss the Federal Reserve's recent announcements and their implications for interest rates, highlighting a potential pause in rate cuts moving into 20…
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Reflections on 2024: Economic Trends and Industry Impact | Dec. 16, 2024
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35:44Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. This week, our experts reflect on the pivotal events and trends of 2024, providing a comprehensive year-in-review that touches on both industry-specific developments and broader global occurrences. Notably, they discuss the persistent high interest rates and their implications for profitability in…
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Tariff Tangle: Tracing the Impact on the U.S. Economy and Housing | Dec. 9, 2024
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29:29Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the intricate relationship between tariffs, inflation, and the mortgage market. Jim Glennon leads a discussion with Jeff McCarty, Alex Hebner, and Kevin Foley, emphasizing how proposed tariffs could significantly impact inflation rates and, consequently, mortga…
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WW1 CHRISTMAS TRUCE | 1914 Trench Football Match between England and Germany on No Man’s Land
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6:18By Steve Lee
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KING ALFRED THE GREAT defeats VIKING KING GUTHRUM and the Viking invasion | Battle of Edington
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3:36By Steve Lee
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A BRIDGE TOO FAR | Disastrous OPERATION MARKET GARDEN in WW2 and the Angel of Arnhem
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3:31
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3:31By Steve Lee
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WW2 MASSACRE AT ORADOUR SUR GLANE 1944 | French village exterminated by German SS troops after D-Day
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6:00By Steve Lee
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TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN WARRIOR WW1 | Remembrance Day in Westminster Abbey 1920
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7:06
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7:06By Steve Lee
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Unpacking the 2025 FHFA Loan Limits | Dec. 2, 2024
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30:44Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, Optimal Blue experts discuss key economic data, recent cabinet appointments, and their potential impacts, while also highlighting the newly released loan limits for 2025. The episode emphasizes the implications of these loan limits, which have increased significantly, reflecting c…
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The Current Landscape of Mortgage Servicing Rights and Recapture | Nov. 25, 2024
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31:08Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the impact of recent economic data and holiday trading schedules on profitability. Ben Larcombe highlights a notable uptick in existing home sales, marking the first year-over-year increase since 2021, while also cautioning about potential slowdowns due to risi…
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Forgotten Fronts: Newfoundland’s Memory of Gallipoli With Dr. Jane McGaughey
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34:19Dr. Jane McGaughey is the Johnson Chair of Québec and Canadian Irish Studies at Concordia University and a historian with a Ph.D. from Birkbeck College, University of London. She is the author of Ulster's Men: Protestant Unionist Masculinities and Militarization in the North of Ireland, 1912-1923 and Violent Loyalties: Manliness, Migration, and the…
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What are Mortgage Servicing Rights and Why Should Originators Care? | Nov. 18, 2024
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32:15Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the current state of the mortgage market, highlighting the challenges and opportunities as interest rates hover above 6.8%. The discussion emphasizes the rise in cash-out refinancing due to significant home equity, even as overall volume struggles in the face o…
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Demystifying Hedging Strategies in a Volatile Market | Nov. 11, 2024
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28:29Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss the intricacies of hedging within capital markets, emphasizing its critical role in protecting profit margins amidst fluctuating interest rates. Host Jim Glennon is joined by experts Jeff McCarty and Alex Hebner to explore the recent election outcomes and their…
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Remembering Ypres: Memory and Loss in Canada’s First World War History with Dr. Geoffrey Bird
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35:51While many Canadians are familiar with major Western Front battles like Vimy Ridge, the Second Battle of Ypres in Flanders in 1915 was a pivotal moment for Canada. This battle marked the first large-scale use of poison chlorine gas by the Germans and was also the first major CAnadian engagement since our entry in the war in the fall of 1914. Second…
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Unlocking the Lock Desk: Policies, Production, & Capital Markets Connections | Nov. 4, 2024
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26:14Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts share the current state of the capital markets, emphasizing the impact of recent economic indicators and the upcoming election on rate trends. Jim Glennon leads the discussion with insights from Jeff McCarty, who highlights the uncertain market landscape post-Fed rate …
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Exploring Economic Data | Chris Maloney on Potential Election Impact | Oct. 28, 2024
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29:37Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, our experts discuss recent housing supply data, highlight the significant impact of inflation, and explore how election outcomes could influence interest rates and government spending with special guest, Chris Maloney, mortgage strategist at Bank of Oklahoma. Key Takeaways: Curren…
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