The reverse mortgage industry is experiencing a shift—one driven by stronger collaboration with traditional “forward” mortgage lenders. Longbridge Financial CEO Chris Mayer sees this as more than just a passing trend; he believes these partnerships will continue to gain momentum in 2025.
In his discussion with HousingWire’s Reverse Mortgage Daily (RMD), Chris shares that key players in the forward mortgage space, including the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), are showing increased interest in reverse products—an indication that the industry is poised for growth. “Why do we think that serving first-time homebuyers and young buyers requires products that are unique to their circumstances, but somehow, when people go and turn age 65 and see their income fall precipitously—and see their financial or medical circumstances change—why would we think that all the products we have should be exactly the same?” he said.
While reverse mortgage adoption has been a slow build, progress is happening. Forward lenders are beginning to see the value of offering reverse solutions, particularly in the HECM for Purchase space, where Longbridge is already working with major homebuilders. However, Chris emphasizes that integrating reverse products isn’t a quick process—it requires education, resources, and a long-term commitment. Still, with the right partnerships and industry leadership, he believes the future looks promising for expanding reverse mortgage options and better serving the senior homeowner market.
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