Non-QM Growth, Jobs Data & Market Trends | Optimal Insights | July 7, 2026

Welcome to this week’s episode of Optimal Insights. In this episode, the Optimal Insights team discusses recent unemployment data, labor force participation trends, and their impact on rate expectations. They share their expert opinions and insights into how these factors are shaping the industry and the broader economic landscape, along with a deep dive with Justin Roddel into non-QM growth and execution dynamics following the IMN conference.Key Points:Unemployment data reflects softer job growth and declining participationRate hike expectations ease amid mixed labor signalsNon-QM market growth outpaces execution and infrastructure developmentChapters00:00 Introduction to Optimal Insights14:37 Introduction to Non-QM Mortgages17:19 Growth and Trends in Non-QM Market24:04 Challenges in Execution and Risk Management31:21 Mandatory vs. Best Effort Execution35:01 Future of Non-QM and Market Opportunities38:04 Introduction to Optimal Insights38:04 Market Analysis TrendsOptimal Insights Team:Jim Glennon, Senior Vice President, Hedging & Trading OperationsJames Cahill, MSF/MSR Account ManagerAlex Hebner, Hedge Account ManagerVimi Vasudeva, Managing Director, Hedging & Trading OperationsSpecial Guest:Justin Roddel, Solutions SpecialistProduction Team:Executive 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.-----mortgage market, capital markets, non QM, non-qualified mortgage, mortgage rates, housing market, interest rates, Federal Reserve, unemployment data, labor market, mortgage origination, secondary market, mortgage backed securities, hedging strategies, MSR, loan pricing, fintech mortgage, Optimal Insights, economic outlook, mortgage industry trendsMentioned 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