Tag: PLANO, Texas
Optimal Blue report: October lock volume holds second-highest level in three years
PLANO, Texas, Nov. 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its October 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing that rate-lock activity remained strong despite seasonal cooling and continued to outpace last year's levels. Total lock volume fell 4.2% month over month (MoM) from September's peak but was still up 18% year over year (YoY) as borrowers responded to improving affordability and narrower rate spreads.
Optimal Blue continues to debut new innovations across complete capital markets platform ahead of MBA Annual Convention and Expo
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 16, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced the launch of a new data solution to deliver increased market transparency, as well as three major platform enhancements focused on pricing accuracy, trade execution and counterparty management. Released ahead of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Annual Convention and Expo, and as the company prepares for its 2026 Optimal Blue Summit, these innovations reinforce Optimal Blue's commitment to delivering solutions that position lenders to drive operational excellence and boost competitive performance.
Optimal Blue report: Rate rally drives 28% surge in September lock volumes
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 14, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its September 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which showed a sharp increase in rate-lock activity as mortgage rates fell throughout the month to their lowest levels in nearly a year. Total lock volume rose 28% month over month (MoM), led by a surge in refinance lending as borrowers seized on the opportunity to lower monthly payments. Purchases also climbed 6% MoM, outperforming typical seasonal trends as improved affordability brought more buyers into the market.
Refinances surge nearly 70% as purchase activity falls 10% in August
PLANO, Texas, Sept. 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its August 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found a sharp split between purchase and refinance trends as seasonal factors and falling rates reshaped origination activity. Total lock volume dipped about 2% month over month (MoM) as a roughly 10% drop in purchase locks outweighed the strongest month for rate-and-term refinances this year, which surged nearly 70%.
Optimal Blue to Host Its 2026 Summit February 23-25 in Scottsdale
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 18, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced it will host its 2026 Optimal Blue Summit from February 23-25 at the Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Scottsdale, Arizona. Building on the success of its inaugural event, the 2026 Summit will bring together the company's clients and integration partners, along with thought leaders and experts from across the mortgage industry, for three days of insights, connection and strategy.
Refinances tick up and non-QM hits record high as purchase activity falls nearly 5% in July
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 12, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its July 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found a 3% month-over-month (MoM) drop in overall rate lock volume, led by a nearly 5% drop in purchase activity as affordability remained strained. Mortgage rates rose MoM across all loan types.
Optimal Blue’s New Brand Reflects Its Modern Technology and Proven Expertise and Leadership
PLANO, Texas, Aug. 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today launched a new brand that emphasizes the company's market leadership in delivering modern innovation backed by decades of proven, trusted performance. "Optimal Blue is operating in an era defined by accuracy, scale, speed and artificial intelligence - and our new brand embodies that," said Joe Tyrrell, CEO of Optimal Blue.
Optimal Blue Fully Automates Best Efforts Locking Directly with Investors
PLANO, Texas, July 30, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced a new capability in its industry-leading product, pricing and eligibility (PPE) engine that fully automates the process for a lock desk user to execute best efforts locks directly with participating investors via API. By eliminating the last remaining manual step in the locking life cycle, Optimal Blue is delivering innovations and enhancements that will help significantly increase a lender's efficiency and profitability.
Refis, Product Shifts and Strong Agency Participation Define June Market Advantage Report
PLANO, Texas, July 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its June 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report showing total lock volume rose 1.95% month-over-month (MoM), driven by increased refinance activity. Refinance share climbed from 16% to 18% of all locks as rate-and-term refinances jumped 17.4% MoM and 18.4% year-over-year (YoY). Cash-out refinances rose 8.1% from May and nearly 28% YoY. Meanwhile, purchase activity held relatively steady - a better-than-expected result for June, when the spring homebuying season typically tapers off.
Optimal Blue Releases May Data Findings, Announces Expansion of Monthly Report for More Comprehensive Lender Profitability Insights
PLANO, Texas, June 10, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released the May 2025 edition of its now-expanded Market Advantage mortgage data report, which features newly added borrower profile and capital market datasets for a more comprehensive picture of early-stage mortgage activity and loan profitability. The enhancements come at a critical time for mortgage lenders navigating heightened interest rates, tighter margins, increased volatility and deepening affordability challenges.
Optimal Blue Launches New Lead Generation Tool for Originators
PLANO, Texas, June 9, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced a new product that helps originators efficiently track and identify refinance opportunities so they can reengage borrowers with eligible refinance options at the right time. Available to Optimal Blue PPE users, Capture for Originators dramatically reduces the manual effort loan officers currently spend evaluating refinance potential by automatically analyzing entire portfolios each month and putting recapture opportunities directly into originators' hands.
CaptainU Relaunches as Stack Athlete, Enhancing the College Sports Recruiting Journey for Athletes
PLANO, Texas, June 3, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- CaptainU, one of the leading online collegiate sports recruiting platforms, announced its relaunch as Stack Athlete on May 20, 2025. This change reflects Stack Athlete's ongoing commitment to empowering high school athletes, parents, and college coaches with the best tools to navigate the recruiting journey, now with an even stronger connection to the Stack Sports family.
Optimal Blue Releases Executive-Level AI Insights Tool, Ask Obi, to Clients
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.
Lock Volume Rises 3.2% in April, Driven by Uptick in FHA Loans, Despite Economic Volatility
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.
Optimal Blue Brings AI-Powered Originator Assistant to Market, Helping Originators Present Best Possible Loan Options to Borrowers
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.
Cooler Interest Rates Heat Up Refinances and Spark Early Signs of Purchase Demand
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.
Iowa Soccer Taps Stack Tourney to Power Its Events and Expand its Partnership with Stack Sports
PLANO, Texas, April 2, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Stack Tourney, a Stack Sports Company, is excited to announce that Iowa Soccer Association has expanded its partnership with Stack Sports by adopting the Stack Tourney platform to streamline and enhance tournament management for its festival/cup events. Iowa Soccer will leverage Stack Tourney to support tournaments such as the League America Festival, which has recently opened registration and takes place May 2-4.
Optimal Blue’s Shawn Chandwani Named to HousingWire’s 2025 Rising Star List
PLANO, Texas, April 1, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced that Senior Software Engineering Manager Shawn Chandwani, 34, has been named among HousingWire's Rising Stars. The annual list celebrates young professionals who shoulder significant leadership responsibilities and contribute to the broader industry and business landscape, establishing themselves as influential figures and leaders for tomorrow.
Optimal Blue Establishes Alliance with Cotality to Expand the Reach of Its Mortgage Origination and Pricing Data
PLANO, Texas, March 27, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced a strategic alliance with Cotality™ (formerly CoreLogic®) that expands access to its mortgage origination and pricing data. Through this collaboration, Cotality will offer Optimal Blue's data to a broader audience, including hedge funds, capital markets participants, and investment firms seeking insights into the mortgage markets.
40% Jump in Rate-and-Term Refis Drives Overall Lock Growth as Purchase Activity Stalls
PLANO, Texas, March 11, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its February 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showing a 7% month-over-month increase in mortgage lock volume driven primarily by a surge in refinance activity. Rate-and-term refinances saw the biggest jump, rising nearly 40% as homeowners seized the opportunity to lower their monthly payments. Cash-out refinances also edged higher, while purchase lock activity remained subdued for the second consecutive month.
January Mortgage Lock Data Shows Year-Over-Year Improvement in Refinance Volume Despite Higher Rates
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 13, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its January 2025 Market Advantage mortgage data report, revealing a sharp rise in year-over-year (YoY) refinance activity alongside a drop in purchase lock counts. The decline in purchase lock counts marks the lowest January count since Optimal Blue began tracking this data in 2019. Meanwhile, refinance lock volume surged even though the Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI) 30-year ticked above 7% for the first time since May.
Celebrating Youth Sports Heroes: Stack Sports Names Winners of the 2024 Stack MVP Awards
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 7, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Stack Sports, the trusted leader in sports management technology, is honored to share the stories of 27 extraordinary individuals whose dedication and passion for youth sports have left a lasting impact on their communities. The Stack MVP Awards shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of sports-coaches, volunteers, officials, athletes, and leaders.
December Mortgage Lock Data Reveals Year-Over-Year Increases Across All Loan Types Despite Seasonal Downturn
PLANO, Texas, Jan. 14, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its December 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, showcasing year-over-year (YoY) growth in mortgage activity, even as seasonal trends led to a month-over-month (MoM) decline in rate lock volumes. Overall, December mortgage lock volume was up 26% YoY, driven by an 18% increase in purchase locks, a 43% rise in cash-out refinances, and an 82% jump in rate-and-term refinances.
New Mexico Youth Soccer Association Renews Longstanding Partnership with Sports Connect to Drive Soccer Forward
PLANO, Texas, and ALBUQUERQUE, N.M., Jan. 8, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- New Mexico Youth Soccer Association (NMYSA), the governing body for US Youth Soccer in New Mexico, is proud to announce an extended multi-year partnership with Sports Connect powered by Stack Sports. As the Exclusive Technology, Online Registration, and League Management Provider, Sports Connect will continue delivering innovative solutions for NMYSA, affiliated clubs, and leagues, empowering administrators, coaches, families, and players to thrive on and off the field.
Stack Sports Teams Up with Gridiron Football to Drive the Sport of Flag Football Forward
PLANO, Texas, Dec. 23, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Stack Sports, the leading provider of sports management solutions, is excited to announce its renewed partnership with Gridiron Football, a national leader in youth non-contact football. As part of our partnership, Sports Connect will continue to serve as a preferred registration and website provider of Gridiron Football leagues across the United States.
Mortgage Lock Activity Fell in November as Interest Rates Hit Their Highest Levels Since July
PLANO, Texas, Dec. 10, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its November 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, highlighting a 25% decrease in month-over-month (MoM) lock volume as interest rates hit their highest levels since early July, creating headwinds for affordability. Purchase lock volume was down 21% MoM, while cash-out and rate-and-term refinance volumes fell 20% and 50%, respectively.
Optimal Blue Announces Tony Hawk, Housing Industry Leaders to Headline Inaugural User Conference
PLANO, Texas, Dec. 5, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced the speaker lineup for its inaugural user conference, the Optimal Blue Summit 2025. Legendary skateboarder and entrepreneur Tony Hawk will headline the event. The conference will also feature sessions led by Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Chief Economist and Senior Vice President of Research and Business Development Michael Fratantoni, Ph.D., MBA Associate Vice President of Secondary and Capital Markets Sasha Hewlett, AMP, HousingWire Editor in Chief Sarah Wheeler, and representatives from Microsoft.
October Mortgage Lock Data Shows Resilience and Cracks in the Mortgage Market as Interest Rates Tick up 65 Basis Points
PLANO, Texas, Nov. 12, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its October 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, highlighting resilient purchase activity in the face of rising interest rates and affordability challenges. Despite a 65-basis-point (bps) increase in the Optimal Blue Mortgage Market Indices (OBMMI) 30-year conforming rate, purchase lock volume grew by 12% month over month (MoM), signaling strong demand among homebuyers.
Optimal Blue Promotes Industry Experts to New Executive Roles to Accelerate Innovation and Prioritize Partnerships
PLANO, Texas, Nov. 11, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced two key executive promotions that will position the company to deliver innovation faster across the company's entire capital markets platform, and to further expand the company's network of partners. Erin Wester has been promoted to chief product officer and Mike Vough has been promoted to head of corporate strategy.
Optimal Blue Announces Three Major Product Releases, Continuing Streak of Aggressive Product Innovation and No-Cost Feature Additions
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 28, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today announced three major product releases: the expansion of its AI assistant suite, the introduction of Scenario Optimizer, and the free availability of Investor Pricing Insight to investor clients. These product updates build on the company's commitment to rapidly delivering high-impact solutions that tackle real-world challenges while helping clients maximize profitability.
Rate-and-Term Refinance Locks Surge 700% Over Previous Year Following the FOMC’s September Interest Rate Reduction
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 8, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue today released its September 2024 Market Advantage mortgage data report, which found a 50% month-over-month (MoM) increase in rate-and-term refinance activity as people who purchased homes in recent years jumped at the opportunity to lower their interest rates and mortgage payments. While the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) lowered its target federal funds rate by 50 bps on Sept. 18, the market had already priced in a portion of the rate reduction, leading to a full month of increased refinance activity in September.
Optimal Blue Expands Expertise, Market Leadership With Launch of Two In-House Podcasts
PLANO, Texas, Oct. 1, 2024 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Optimal Blue announced the release of two in-house podcasts that extend the reach of the company's capital markets experience and expertise built over its decades as the technology leader in its space. The Optimal Insights podcast and video, which will be released weekly, will provide timely analyses of market factors impacting loan originators and capital markets professionals.
Pavaso’s Vice President of Partner Strategies and Government Affairs Elected to Co-Chair MISMO Workgroup
PLANO, Texas, Feb. 25, 2016 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) -- Nancy G. Pratt, vice president of Partner Strategies and Government Affairs at real estate technology company Pavaso, was elected to serve as co-chair of the Mortgage Industry Standards Maintenance Organization (MISMO) eMortgage Workgroup at the organization's Winter Summit in January.