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Cleveland and Others Fight Blight with Parks and Greenhouses

On November 13, CNN Wire posted an article titled Why this city ‘removes cancer cells’ of foreclosed and abandoned homes.

14 Nov 2014

Fannie Mae LL-2014-16 Advance Notice of Future Changes to Investor Reporting Requirements

On November 13, Fannie Mae released Lender Letter LL-2014-16, subtitled Advance Notice of Future Changes to Investor Reporting Requirements.

14 Nov 2014

Freddie Mac Loan Prospector to Allign with Recent Guide Requirements

On November 13, Freddie Mac published an update titled Loan Prospector to Align with Recent Guide Requirements.

14 Nov 2014

GSEs’ Risk-Sharing Deals Are Good for the Housing Market

On November 14, National Mortgage News published an article discussing GSE risk-sharing deals by Mortgage Bankers Association President and Cheif Executive David Stevens.

14 Nov 2014

Land Banks Fight Blight in Mahoning and Trumbull Counties

On November 11, Youngstown NBC affiliate WFMJ-TV posted a report discussing the plans of two Ohio county landbanks to counter the effects of blight and re-purpose vacant and abandoned properties.

13 Nov 2014

Los Angeles Ordinance Aims to Charge Foreclosure Fees to Banks

On November 12, Reuters released an article discussing the passing of a foreclosure registration amended ordinance by the LA City Council.

13 Nov 2014

Missouri Supreme Court Invalidates St. Louis County Foreclosure Law

On November 13, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that the Missouri Supreme Court has ruled a 2012 St. Louis County foreclosure ordinance unenforceable due to the county lacking authority in its charter form of government to implement it.

13 Nov 2014

Moody’s Investors Service Assigns Stable Outlook to State HFA Sector for Second Consecutive Year

On November 11, HousingWire released an article titled Moody’s: Outlook stable for housing finance agencies.

13 Nov 2014

MHA HAMP Reporting Update October 2014 UP Survey Reminder

On November 10, Making Home Affordable (MHA) released a HAMP Reporting Update, subtitled October 2014 UP Survey Reminder.

13 Nov 2014

Fannie Mae SVC-2014-20 Introducing the New Single-Family Servicing Guide

On November 12, Fannie Mae released Servicing Guide Announcement SVC-2014-20, subtitled Introducing the New Single-Family Servicing Guide.

12 Nov 2014

Fed Finalizes Merger Rule for Financial Institutions

On November 10, DS News published an article discussing the recent ruling of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board to implement section 622 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.

11 Nov 2014

Americans’ Personal Finance Sentiment Strengthens, Housing Optimism Follows Suit

On November 7, Fannie Mae published a news release outlining results from its October 2014 National Housing Survey.

10 Nov 2014

Fannie Mae Standard Modification Rate Adjustment

On November 7, Fannie Mae released a Servicing Notice announcing the new Standard Modification Interest Rate required for all Fannie Mae conventional mortgage loan modifications.

10 Nov 2014

FHFA Prepared Remarks of Melvin Watt

On November 7, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released the prepared remarks of Melvin L. Watt at the 2014 National Association of Realtors Conference & Expo.

10 Nov 2014

Industry Leaders Take on Housing Challenges at National Property Preservation Conference

On November 6, DS News released an article discussing the 2014 National Property Preservation Conference (NPPC), hosted by Safeguard Properties.  The article features comments by Safeguard CEO Alan Jaffa and Founder and Chairman Robert Klein discussing the role of the conference to be a platform for open communication within the housing industry.

10 Nov 2014

$50m Demolition Fund Passes Cuyahoga County Council Unanimously

On October 29, Cleveland Magazine posted a report about the passing of legislation by the Cuyahoga County Council that will allow for a major demolition fund for blighted buildings.

7 Nov 2014

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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