Before The Returns

E22 - The Truth About Interest Rates (Why You’re Optimizing the Wrong Number)


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Interest rates don’t matter.

At least not the way you’ve been taught they do.

Most financial conversations revolve around APY, refinancing for a quarter percent, or chasing the highest yield savings account. But while consumers obsess over rates, banks optimize something very different: volume, velocity, control, and capital reuse.

In this episode of Before the Returns, Jaden breaks down:

  • Why most 30-year mortgages don’t last 30 years
  • How loans are frequently sold and transferred
  • Why refinancing resets the fee clock
  • And why the system relies on movement—not patience

More importantly, he shares a personal story of choosing lower returns with higher control — and why that decision felt empowering.

This isn’t anti-investing.
 It’s anti-optimizing the wrong metric.

If you’ve been focused on rate instead of control, this episode will change how you see money.

Key Takeaways
  • Most 30-year mortgages are paid off or refinanced within 7–10 years
  • Loans are frequently sold into secondary markets
  • Banks optimize volume, velocity, and reuse — not just interest spread
  • Yield without control creates fragility
  • Control creates optionality and opportunity
  • Returns follow structure — not the other way around
Listener Reflection Questions
  • What number do you optimize first — rate or control?
  • Can you access your capital without penalty or permission?
  • Are you thinking like a depositor or like an owner?

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Learn more at www.jadenzubal.com | Follow @jadenzubal | Join the *Before the Returns Weekly* newsletter

📩 Questions or ideas? Email: [email protected]

⚖️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, tax, or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making financial decisions.

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Before The ReturnsBy Jaden T. Zubal