Market Volatility, Iran Conflict, and Insights from the Optimal Blue Summit | March 2, 2026

In this week’s episode of Optimal Insights, Jim Glennon, Alex Hebner, and James Cahill break down the latest geopolitical and economic developments impacting the mortgage industry. They analyze the U.S.–Iran conflict, its effect on yields and oil prices, key inflation readings, jobless claims, and expectations for the upcoming employment report. The conversation then shifts to highlights from the Optimal Blue Summit, including new AI‑powered innovations, MSR valuation trends, and growing demand for Non‑QM lending.Optimal Insights Team: Jim Glennon, SVP, H&T Operations Alex Hebner, Hedge Account Manager James Cahill, MSF/MSR Account Manager Vimi Vasudeva, Managing Director, H&T Client ServicesProduction Team: Executive Producer: Sara Holtz Producer: Matt GilhoolyCommentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Insights 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