Inside the Fed’s Mind: Taylor Rule Talk + ACUMA Highlights | Optimal Insights | Sept. 29, 2025

In the first half of this episode, Jim Glennon is joined by Jeff McCarty, Kevin Foley, and Alex Hebner to discuss current market conditions, the potential government shutdown, and the Taylor Rule – a formula used to estimate the ideal federal funds rate. The team analyzes Stephen Miran’s public application of the rule and his controversial suggestion that rates should be two points lower than current levels.Taylor Rule: i=r∗+π+0.5(π−π∗)+0.5(y−y∗)·     i = Target federal funds rate·     r* = Equilibrium real interest rate (often assumed to be around 2%)·     π = Current inflation rate·     π* = Target inflation rate (commonly 2%)·     y = Log of real GDP·      y* = Log of potential GDP (i.e., full employment output)Later in the episode, Olivia DeLancey joins Jim Glennon to share highlights from the ACUMA Annual Conference. Olivia reflects on the collaborative spirit of credit unions, their focus on member experience, and the marketing challenges faced by credit union loan officers. Her insights emphasize the importance of content strategy and community-driven engagement in the mortgage space.Tune in to gain valuable insights to help you stay ahead and maximize your profitability in the ever-evolving mortgage landscape.Optimal Insights Team:Jim Glennon, Vice President of Hedging and Trading Client ServicesJeff McCarty, Vice President of Hedging and Trading ProductAlex Hebner, Hedge Account ManagerKevin Foley, Director of Product ManagementOlivia DeLancey, Director of Communications and Public RelationsOptimal Blue Production Team:Executive Producer: Sara HoltzProducers: Matt Gilhooly & Hailey RøiseCommentary 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:Is Your PPE Helping – or Holding You Back?Small delays can become everyday obstacles. If your team relies on workarounds, extra verification steps, or manual processes to keep loans moving, it may be time to rethink your pricing engine. Discover what a modern PPE should deliver – from real-time accuracy and intelligent automation to seamless workflow execution. Learn more today. Explore the Optimal Blue PPE - https://www2.optimalblue.com/optimalblueppe