Longbridge Financial, a nationally recognized mortgage lender and servicer focused on helping older homeowners access their home equity, today announced that Chief Operating Officer Bill Packer has been named to HousingWire’s 2026 Insiders, a national recognition honoring 85 operational leaders whose work drives innovation and measurable results across the housing industry.

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Bill Packer, Chief Operating Officer of Longbridge Financial, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Insider, a national recognition honoring operational leaders whose work drives innovation and measurable results across the housing industry.

Bill Packer, Chief Operating Officer of Longbridge Financial, has been named a 2026 HousingWire Insider, a national recognition honoring operational leaders whose work drives innovation and measurable results across the housing industry.

Now in its 11th year, HousingWire’s Insiders award recognizes the professionals whose behind-the-scenes work fuels innovation, strengthens organizations and delivers business results. Honorees were selected by HousingWire’s committee based on the significance of their contributions, their leadership in execution and the measurable impact they have made within their organizations and across the industry.

Packer earned the recognition for his role advancing Longbridge’s operational and technology strategy over the past year. As COO, he has led the adoption of AI-powered tools and workflow innovations that improve efficiency, strengthen scalability and enhance the borrower experience, from AI empowered programs [LV1] [TC2] to automated pre-underwriting capabilities developed through technology partnerships. He has done so while maintaining the rigorous compliance standards required in a highly regulated lending environment.

“Bill sees where this industry is heading and he builds for it,” said Chris Mayer, PhD, CEO of Longbridge Financial. “He has a rare gift for taking new technology and turning it into something that genuinely makes life easier for our borrowers, our wholesale customers, and our internal teams. This honor is well earned, and it reflects the kind of leader he is every single day.”

“You do not always see the work Bill does, but you feel it in everything from how quickly we can serve a customer to how confidently our teams show up,” said Melissa Macerato, Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer at Longbridge Financial. “He makes everyone around him better, and this recognition shines a light on someone who spends most of his time making sure everyone else shines first.”

Beyond Longbridge, Packer is an active member of the Mortgage Bankers Association, including its newly formed Senior Mortgage Solutions Network, where he collaborates with industry leaders to advance senior home equity lending.

The 2026 Insiders class spans mortgage lending and servicing, real estate, technology and finance. The award celebrates professionals who solve complex challenges and lead critical initiatives behind the scenes, work that is essential both to their organizations and to the continued advancement of the housing industry.

About Longbridge Financial

Longbridge Financial, LLC (NMLS #957935), is a nationally recognized mortgage lender and servicer focused on helping older homeowners access their home equity through flexible, responsible lending solutions designed to support a more secure retirement. Founded in 2012 and led by a respected Ivy League professor, the company combines deep industry expertise with a strong commitment to education, innovation, and transparency. Guided by a mission to empower aging Americans, Longbridge Financial provides the tools and insights they need to help make confident financial decisions in or near retirement.

For more information about Longbridge Financial or interview requests, visit longbridge-financial.com/newsroom.

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