Smarter Hedging, Loan Sales, and Margin Management With Rob Kessel | June 2025 Data - Market Advantage - Mortgage Trends and Expert Insights - Optimal Blue

Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue. Hosts Olivia DeLancey and Mike Vough discuss the June 2025 Market Advantage report, including notable shifts in loan sale execution and pull-through trends. They’re joined by Rob Kessel, founder of Panoramic Capital Advisory and Consulting, who brings decades of capital markets expertise to the conversation.Rob shares insights on capital markets training and secondary marketing strategy, covering foundational concepts like the best efforts versus mandatory spread, pull-through modeling, and loan sale execution. He emphasizes the importance of transparency, data-driven decision-making, and continuous education in maximizing lender profitability. The conversation also explores how AI and evolving technologies are reshaping the mortgage landscape.Key TakeawaysLoans sold to aggregators dropped from 38% to 35%, while agency-backed executions rose, highlighting a shift in lender strategy amid changing market conditions.Purchase pull-through rates climbed to nearly 85%, suggesting stronger borrower commitment even as rate volatility introduces new hedging complexities.Understanding the best efforts versus mandatory spread is crucial for lenders deciding when to take on risk and how to price loans effectively.Links and Resources:Subscribe to the Market Advantage data report: https://engage.optimalblue.com/market-advantageFollow Optimal Blue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-blue/Subscribe to Optimal Blue’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Optimal-BlueFollow Rob Kessel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-kessel-66776a6/Learn more about Panoramic Capital Advisory and Consulting: https://panoramiccap.com/Follow Mike Vough on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-vough-60467826/  Follow Olivia DeLancey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olivia-delancey/Commentary included in the podcast shall not be construed as, nor is Optimal Blue providing, any legal, trading, hedging, or financial advice.