Longbridge Financial has promoted Melissa Macerato to president and chief commercial officer, expanding her leadership responsibilities as the lender continues to diversify its home equity products for older Americans.
Macerato, who previously served as chief revenue and marketing officer, has been with the Paramus, New Jersey-based company since 2012, joining just months after its founding.
During her tenure, she has helped build Longbridge's sales, marketing, and training operations and expand its third-party origination business. The company reported a 31% share of the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage-backed Securities (HMBS) issuance market in the third quarter of 2026, ranking as the second-largest issuer.
“Melissa has represented the heart and soul of Longbridge since joining us during our startup phase, when we didn’t have a single loan officer,” said Christopher Mayer, CEO of Longbridge Financial.
“She led the development of our entire sales, marketing, and training departments, which together now account for more than 40% of our employees,” Mayer added.
Macerato has overseen sales, training, marketing, human resources, and the company's newly formed product development division. She helped bring Longbridge's HELOC For Seniors product, designed for homeowners 62 and older, to market and supported the expansion of its proprietary Platinum reverse mortgage portfolio.
The promotion comes as Longbridge broadens its business beyond traditional reverse mortgages. In her new position, Macerato will help lead the rollout of additional products and tools aimed at giving older homeowners more options for accessing home equity.
The company's expansion also has implications for its wholesale and correspondent partners. Longbridge originates and acquires reverse mortgage products through retail, broker, and correspondent channels, while its newer HELOC offering represents another avenue for serving borrowers approaching or entering retirement.
Macerato brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in banking and financial services. Before joining Longbridge, she held executive positions at MBNA America and GE Capital and later led reverse mortgage sales at MetLife Bank, where she recruited more than 150 salespeople and managers.
Longbridge, founded in 2012, is a subsidiary of Ellington Financial and specializes in home equity lending and servicing for older homeowners.
