Planet Home Lending is expanding its distributed retail presence in the Northeast with the addition of two seasoned industry leaders, as John Rinaldi and Paul Butuc have been appointed regional sales managers in Melville, New York, bringing more than 50 years of combined mortgage experience to the company’s growing team.
In their new roles, Rinaldi and Butuc will focus on deepening Planet’s market penetration across key Northeast metropolitan areas. Their responsibilities include recruiting and mentoring loan officers, strengthening referral partnerships, and targeting specialized lending niches such as non-agency products, co-ops, and condominium financing in urban markets.
"John and Paul are highly respected and have built their careers on trust, education, and long-term relationships," said Matt Payan, SVP of national production, distributed retail at Planet Home Lending. "Their leadership, credibility, and shared values make them the ideal partners to grow our brand in this region."
Rinaldi, who began his mortgage career in 1996, has a strong history of leadership in both wholesale and retail channels. Known for his relationship-based approach, he has extensive experience educating consumers, real estate professionals, and industry partners on mortgage affordability, budgeting, and long-term financial planning. Rinaldi is licensed in New York and Florida and has worked with first-time homebuyers, self-employed borrowers, and investors.
"Planet stood out because of its culture, infrastructure, and commitment to putting the client first," Rinaldi said. "The support across onboarding, operations, and closing is exceptional, which allows us to focus on what we do best: educating borrowers, building relationships, and helping people achieve homeownership."
Butuc brings more than 24 years of expertise in loan structuring and credit analysis. After significant experience in wholesale, he transitioned to retail leadership, where he has managed branches and served as a mentor to loan officers. His problem-solving skills and educational focus have helped borrowers with complex credit profiles navigate the path to homeownership.
"What keeps us in this business is the ability to make a real difference," Butuc said. "Planet gives us the tools, products, and support to help more borrowers achieve homeownership and to do it the right way."
