Longbridge’s Melissa Macerato on how the latest proprietary reverse product came to be

In May, Longbridge Financial debuted Platinum Preserve, a new proprietary reverse mortgage product that aims to help borrowers preserve home equity for their heirs.

RMD spoke to Longbridge co-founder Melissa Macerato about the product’s origins, how industry pros have received it thus far, and how it differs from other Platinum line products.

The interview with Macerato, the chief revenue and marketing officer at Longbridge, has been edited for length and clarity.

Chris Clow: Tell me a bit about the development of this product. How was the initial idea conceived, and how did you work through the development process? 

Melissa Macerato: Platinum Preserve has really been a long time in the making. Whenever we look at product enhancements at Longbridge, we start by asking, what problems can we solve to better meet the needs of older Americans? Time and time again, the biggest objection our loan officers hear is that homeowners want to access their equity but still leave something meaningful for their heirs. 

Because of the complexity involved, it’s been much more than just a simple feature add-on. Developing this required extensive discussions, legal structuring, and a lot of thoughtful work to get it right in today’s environment.

We understood there was a real gap in the market for a reverse mortgage option that could protect a portion of a homeowner’s equity without sacrificing the flexibility they need now. Hitting those barriers in traditional product design pushed us to innovate further, and I’m proud that Preserve directly addresses one of the biggest concerns older homeowners have expressed for years. 

CC: How long would you say the process took between idea and announcement? 

MM: This has been in the works for quite some time. We’ve explored different ways to incorporate an equity preservation feature into our proprietary offerings for a number of years, and thanks to the right mix of timing, market readiness, and the commitment of our team and investors, we were able to bring Platinum Preserve to market this year. 

CC: What role does LBF expect Preserve to play in the broader context of the Platinum product suite? 

MM: Platinum Preserve strengthens the Platinum suite by directly addressing a clear consumer priority and that is legacy planning. Our Platinum proprietary products have always been about providing the flexibility and the choice beyond what FHA reverse mortgages can offer right now. Adding Preserve to the mix expands that flexibility even further. We see it becoming a core option for homeowners who want the benefits of a reverse mortgage but also want to maintain a meaningful stake in their home’s equity for future needs or inheritance. It’s another way we’re making sure our product suite can meet a range of financial goals and comfort levels. 

CC: Tell me a little bit about the initial response from industry professionals following the announcement. 

MM: We’ve had encouraging feedback so far, especially from industry professionals who see Preserve as a smart, strategic addition to their toolkit. This really speaks for a different type of borrower, those who may have been more hesitant in the past because they didn’t want to use the maximum proceeds available. It helps loan officers approach prospects who might have put up barriers before and gives them a fresh, meaningful option to discuss. 

We know it may take a little more time for the market to fully absorb this, simply because it’s not designed for borrowers looking to access every dollar of equity right away. But that’s exactly the point. Preserve allows us, and our partners, to better match the right product to the right borrower, and to re-engage people who might have passed on a reverse mortgage previously. It’s an important strategic play to broaden conversations and help more senior homeowners benefit from these solutions in a way that aligns with their priorities. 

CC: Is there an opportunity for product differentiation with Preserve? Is that a goal as the company pursues broader product development? 

MM: Our goal with Preserve, and really with our entire Platinum suite, is to continue leading the proprietary reverse mortgage market by responding to the needs of older homeowners.  

Preserve is a prime example of how we’re doing that. We see clear opportunities to differentiate ourselves not just through innovative product features, but also through the way we educate, service, and support both borrowers and our partners. As the market continues to grow and fluctuate, we’ll keep focusing on responsible innovation that builds trust and delivers practical value to Longbridge customers. 

CC: Is there anything I’m missing that you think our reverse mortgage audience should most keep in mind about Preserve, or other plans the company has? 

MM: I’d highlight that Preserve really reflects our broader mission at Longbridge: to grow and expand the reverse mortgage market in a responsible, meaningful way. We want to reach a wider variety of older homeowners, many of whom may have hesitated in the past because they wanted to protect a portion of their equity. Preserve helps remove that hesitation by giving them more control and confidence. 

More broadly, we’re always looking ahead at how we can innovate and build products that fit different life stages, financial needs, and personal goals. The ultimate goal is to keep expanding access to these solutions so that more seniors can benefit from the wealth they’ve built over a lifetime and do so on their own terms.