Navigating the Non-QM Landscape | Market Updates | July 28, 2025

Optimal Insights - Real-Time Data and Capital Markets Insights - Optimal Blue

In this episode of Optimal Insights, the team delivers a timely market update and welcomes special guest Mike Vough, Head of Corporate Strategy at Optimal Blue, for a deep dive into the evolving non-QM mortgage space. The discussion covers current economic indicators, Fed policy expectations, and the growing relevance of non-QM products in today’s lending environment. Mike breaks down the nuances of non-QM lending, including borrower profiles, pricing challenges, and hedging strategies, while offering insights into how Optimal Blue is helping lenders navigate this complex market.

Key Topics:

• Market update: Fed meeting, trade developments, and labor data
• What is a non-QM loan? Definitions and borrower types
• DSCR and bank statement loans explained
• Pricing and hedging challenges in the absence of a TBA market
• The future of non-QM: investor appetite, risk, and opportunity

🎧 Tune in to gain valuable insights to help you stay ahead and maximize your profitability in the ever-evolving mortgage landscape.

Optimal Insights Team:

• Jeff McCarty, Vice President of Hedging and Trading Product, Optimal Blue
• Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager, Optimal Blue
• Vimi Vasudeva, Managing Director, Optimal Blue

Special Guest:

• Mike Vough, Head of Corporate Strategy, 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 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 - OI

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AI at Optimal Blue - OI