Financial product distributor Yellow Brick Road improved its performance in the December half by growing revenue ahead of expenses, although it is still in the red.The company reported a loss of A$3.7 million for the six months to December, compared with a loss of $3.4 million during the previous corresponding period.Revenue was up 42.8 per cent to $9.6 million. Expenses were up 31.6 per cent to $13.3 million. Cost management has improved since the 2011/12 financial year, when expenses grew more than 160 per cent.The company's big news during the half was its deal with Macquarie Bank. Macquarie has taken equity in YBR and entered into a mortgage distribution deal.YBR reported very strong home loan sales in the December quarter; its mortgage book doubled and is now worth $1.3 billion.The capital injection from Macquarie, along with that from another new shareholder, Coolabah Ventures, bolstered YBR's asset position by $7 million.The number of branches in the YBR network grew from 91 in December 2011 to 149 at the end of the latest half.YBR's branch network expansion drove revenue growth. The company's other division, professional services, suffered a fall in revenue.The weakness in professional services was attributed to "the absence of key revenue staff". The company is recruiting in this area and working on productivity initiatives.