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FHFA: Refinance Report

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued its January 2019 Refinance Report.

14 Mar 2019

Youngstown to Consider Charging $500 to Pick Up Major Clean Outs

The Vindicator published an article outlining soon-to-be proposed legislation in Youngstown, Ohio, that would create a $500 fee for property owners who perform large-scale clean outs and leave the trash for city pick-up. The ordinance is expected to be introduced at the April 3, 2019, city council meeting.

14 Mar 2019

Storm Damage Reported Throughout New Mexico and Texas

AccuWeather issued a report outlining severe storm activity in New Mexico and Texas.

13 Mar 2019

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2019-6

Freddie Mac issued a release announcing updates to requirements for REO properties, changes to the Servicer Success Scorecard and a new servicer recognition program.

13 Mar 2019

Baker Approves Revised Property Maintenance Ordinance

The Baker City Herald released an article discussing a recently passed Baker, Ore., ordinance that will allow the Baker Justice Court judge to block access to properties the judge deems “chronic neighborhood nuisances”.

13 Mar 2019

Ohio Governor Declares State of Emergency in Response to Flooding

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued an emergency declaration for 20 counties impacted by damaging flooding.

11 Mar 2019

Freddie Mac: UMBS to be Issued Based on Revised TBA Guidelines

Freddie Mac issued a release announcing that they are set to issue the first Freddie Mac 55-day payment delay, TBA-eligible Uniform Mortgage-Backed Security™ (UMBS™) on June 3, 2019.

11 Mar 2019

USDA: Help Resources

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a release encouraging servicers and lenders to utilize its LINC Training and Resource Library. the resource includes web-based training, frequently asked questions (FAQs) and user guides for USDA information technology systems.

8 Mar 2019

VA: Circular 26-19-07: Special Relief Following Alabama Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds and Tornadoes

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a release that expresses concern about the VA home loan borrowers affected by sever storms, straight-line winds and tornadoes in the state of Alabama, and describes measures mortgagees may employ to provide relief.

8 Mar 2019

State Representative Drafts Land Bank Bill to Improve Neighborhoods

The SJ Post published a report announcing the passage of HB 821 through the Missouri House of Representatives. The bill aims to allow the City of St. Joseph to create a land bank to directly engage 450 vacant structures in violation of its Property Maintenance Code.

7 Mar 2019

Fannie Mae: Modification Interest Rate Adjustment Update

Fannie Mae issued an exhibit providing the current Modification Interest Rate used to evaluate borrowers for conventional mortgage loan modifications.

7 Mar 2019

Pottstown Land Bank Getting Underway

The Mercury published an article highlighting the finalization of a land bank in Pottstown, Penn.

7 Mar 2019

Land Bank Will No Longer Oversee Beleaguered Detroit Demo Program

The Detroit Free Press published an article discussing a decision that will see property demolitions in Detroit being fully administered by the City at the end of 2019.

7 Mar 2019

Foreclosure Bill Prefiled in Oklahoma

Senate Bill 123 (Mortgages; modifying period of time mortgagor has to cure breach or default. Effective date.) had a second reading and was referred to the Judiciary on February 5, 2019.

6 Mar 2019

HUD: Disaster Assistance for Alabama Tornado Victims

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it will provide mortgage relief and other support to homeowners and low-income renters forced from their homes in Lee County, Ala.

6 Mar 2019

Tornadoes Blow Through Southeast

USA Today issued a report outlining extensive tornadic activity across the Southeast U.S.

5 Mar 2019

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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

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Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

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CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

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Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties