Optimal Blue
Optimal Blue Announces ‘Optimize Your Advantage’ to Showcase How Its Capital Markets Platform Puts Lenders in Control of Their Margins
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue announced the launch of its Optimize Your Advantage campaign in advance of the MBA Secondary and Capital Markets Conference. This comprehensive brand initiative highlights the value and innovation the company delivers to clients. Through Optimal Blue’s position as the housing industry’s only end-to-end capital markets platform, lenders and other market participants have greater control of their profit margins, giving them distinct advantages, regardless of market conditions….
Mortgage Purchase Lock Counts See First YoY Gain Since Fed Rate Hikes Began Two Years Ago
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today released its April 2024 Originations Market Monitor report, which reveals the first year-over-year increase in purchase mortgage lock counts since the Federal Reserve initiated rate hikes in March 2022….
Optimal Blue Director of Data Solutions Brennan O’Connell Named a 2024 HousingWire Rising Star
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today announced that Brennan O’Connell, director of data solutions, has been honored with the 2024 HousingWire Rising Stars award. The award program celebrates emerging leaders in real estate and mortgage who have demonstrated rapid career growth and an ability to lead, achieving remarkable milestones before the age of 40….
Optimal Blue Announces Promotion of Rick Allen to Chief Operating Officer
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue today announced that it has elevated Rick Allen to chief operating officer (COO). Most recently serving as Optimal Blue’s chief administrative officer, Allen brings more than 35 years of experience in the housing industry to his senior leadership role. Throughout his tenure at Optimal Blue, Allen has played an integral role in the enhancement and delivery of products to add exceptional value to the company’s clients….
Average Homebuyer Credit Score Hits the Highest Mark in Years
PLANO, Texas — Today, Optimal Blue released its March 2024 Originations Market Monitor report, which reveals the average homebuyer credit score has reached 737 – an all-time high since the company began tracking this data in January 2018. Despite the potential buyer pool being somewhat limited to borrowers with higher credit, rate lock volume showed steady month-over-month growth of 17% in March as the spring buying season got underway….
Mortgage Industry Veteran Sara Holtz Joins Optimal Blue as Chief Marketing Officer
PLANO, Texas — Optimal Blue announced today that it has appointed Sara Holtz as chief marketing officer. As a seasoned marketing and communications leader, Holtz brings more than 20 years of career experience, including a decade of driving change in the mortgage industry. As chief marketing officer, Holtz will drive unified marketing and communications strategies to advance Optimal Blue’s business priorities and further extend the company’s influence….
Spring Buying Season Kicks Off With an Uptick in Purchase Applications Despite Climbing Interest Rates
PLANO, Texas — Today, Optimal Blue released its February 2024 Originations Market Monitor report, which reveals that the spring homebuying season has kicked off with a jump in monthly purchase mortgage locks. The seasonal spike in purchase locks propelled a net increase in origination activity, even as higher interest rates led to steep declines in mortgage refinances….
Optimal Blue’s Mike Schommer Honored as a 2024 HousingWire Finance Leader
PLANO, Texas — Today, Optimal Blue announced its vice president of finance, Mike Schommer, has been honored as a 2024 HousingWire Finance Leader. The award program celebrates senior finance executives who have exhibited exceptional leadership in corporate finance, capital markets, and accounting within the mortgage and real estate sectors….
Optimal Blue Originations Market Monitor: Lock Volume Rises 36% Month Over Month in January, Falling Rates and Slowing Decline in Purchase Counts May Signal Lending Relief in 2024
PLANO, Texas — Today, Optimal Blue announced the release of its Originations Market Monitor report, looking at mortgage origination data through January month-end. Leveraging daily rate lock data from the Optimal Blue PPE – the industry’s most widely used product, pricing, and eligibility engine – the Originations Market Monitor provides a comprehensive and timely view into origination activity….
Optimal Blue Clinches 2024 HousingWire Tech100 Mortgage Award
PLANO, Texas — Today, Optimal Blue announced its selection by HousingWire as a Tech100 Mortgage award winner. Now in its 12th year, HousingWire’s Tech100 award program spotlights the most innovative and impactful tech organizations in housing….