CME Group’s Agha Mirza Talks Mortgage Rate Futures, Trading on an Exchange, Cross-Margining | November 2024 Data

Welcome to this month’s episode of the Market Advantage podcast by Optimal Blue, where we analyze mortgage lock data from November 2024 and feature an interview with Agha Mirza, managing director and global head of rates and OTC products at CME Group.

Key Takeaways:

1. November mortgage rate lock activity: Overall lock volume fell 25% MoM, yet stood 12% higher YoY, providing some reason for optimism.
2. Mortgage Rate futures: CME Group has partnered with Optimal Blue to launch Mortgage Rate futures in January 2025 – a game-changer for managing risk across mortgage pipelines, MSRs, and securities.
3. Centralized trading platform: CME Group’s single platform reduces counterparty risk, and the company’s approach to margining and clearing provides advantages to mortgage lenders in terms of liquidity and operational efficiency.

Hosts: Olivia DeLancey & Brennan O'Connell

LINKS AND RESOURCES

Optimal Blue:

• Market Advantage mortgage data report | November 2024 data: https://www2.optimalblue.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/OB_MarketAdvantage_MortgageDataReport_Nov2024.pdf
• Press release: CME Group to Launch Mortgage Rate Futures: https://www2.optimalblue.com/cme-group-to-launch-mortgage-rate-futures-in-january-2025/
• Subscribe to the Market Advantage mortgage data report: https://www2.optimalblue.com/market-advantage/
• Optimal Blue Summit: summit.optimalblue.com
• Follow Optimal Blue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/optimal-blue/

Mentioned in this episode:

Optimal Blue Summit 2026 | February 23-25 | Scottsdale, Arizona

In case you missed it – Optimal Blue has announced the dates for its 2026 Summit! Join us February 23 – 25 at Talking Stick Resort and Conference Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, for a client-exclusive event packed with strategic insight and innovation. Attendees will gain early access to Optimal Blue’s latest generative AI and automation tools, dive into expert-led sessions on pricing, compliance and more, and experience hands-on demos of new capabilities. Plus, it’s a chance to connect with capital markets pros, integration partners, and mortgage insiders—all while gaining actionable strategies to maximize profitability and sharpen your competitive edge. The Optimal Blue Summit: where proven mortgage expertise meets modern innovation to shape what's next. Early bird registration is now open at Summit.OptimalBlue.com – space is limited, so register today!

News release: https://www2.optimalblue.com/optimal-blue-to-host-its-2026-summit-february-23-25-in-scottsdale

Registration: Summit.OptimalBlue.com

Summit - MA

AI at Optimal Blue – Innovation That Delivers for Your Bottom Line

Is your technology vendor selling real solutions – or just the idea of them? Too often, companies pitch big returns, offer free trials, and promise seamless automation, only to reveal during implementation that the tech doesn’t actually exist. At Optimal Blue, we take a different approach. Our AI-powered automation is already live, already delivering, and already saving lenders real dollars. We show you exactly where the ROI comes from and how it reduces risk – no vague timelines, just proven technology that’s working in production today. AI at Optimal Blue isn’t just about delivering software; it’s about empowering lenders to make smarter decisions, operate more efficiently, and stay ahead of the curve. Built around real capital markets challenges, informed by direct engagement with thousands of clients, and focused on delivering measurable value at no additional cost to clients, while others talk about AI, we’re delivering it – Innovation That Delivers for Your Bottom Line.

AI at Optimal Blue - MA