Market Update and VantageScore with Rikard Bandebo| Optimal Insights | July 21, 2026

In this episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon and James Cahill discuss recent market volatility, mortgage rates, inflation data, equity market activity, consumer pressure, and the broader economic landscape. The conversation covers movements in the OBMMI, Treasury yields, equity market pullbacks, inflation readings, energy prices, and expectations around Fed policy.Jim is then joined by special guest Rikard Bandebo, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Economist at VantageScore, for a discussion on credit scoring innovation, VantageScore 4.0, mortgage industry adoption, rental data, trended credit data, score consistency across bureaus, and how lenders can think about implementation.Key PointsMortgage rates and Treasury yields moved alongside broader market volatility, including equity market pullbacks and shifts in investor sentiment.Inflation data, energy prices, and consumer pressure remained central to the discussion around Fed policy expectations.Rikard Bandebo joined the episode to discuss VantageScore 4.0, credit scoring innovation, mortgage market adoption, rental data, trended data, and score consistency.Chapters00:00 – Welcome to Optimal Insights00:34 – Market Update and OBMMI Movement02:29 – Equity Market Pullbacks and Investor Behavior06:07 – Inflation Data and Rate Expectations10:08 – Consumer Pressure and the K-Shaped Economy14:51 – Fed Commentary and Policy Outlook17:49 – Transition to Special Guest Interview17:59 – Introduction to Rikard Bandebo19:04 – What Is VantageScore?25:18 – Mortgage Industry Adoption of VantageScore 4.029:52 – Trended Data, Rental Data, and Expanded Credit Visibility43:31 – Score Consistency Across Credit Bureaus46:11 – Next Steps for Lenders48:19 – Closing RemarksOptimal Insights TeamJim Glennon, SVP, Hedging & Trading OperationsJames Cahill, MSF/MSR Account ManagerSpecial GuestRikard Bandebo, Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Economist at VantageScoreProduction TeamExecutive Producer: Sara HoltzProducer: Matt Gilhooly & Alex KreuterCommentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice. References to specific credit scoring models are included as part of the episode discussion and do not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or promotion of any model, vendor, or scoring approach.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