Archives For: Industry Updates

Bringing Law Firms and Servicers Together

DS News published an article highlighting the 2017 Legal League 100 Servicer Summit.

11 May 2017

Realtors Push for Renewal of Tax Relief on Forgiven Housing Debt

National Mortgage News published an article discussing a letter to the U.S. Senate from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) that advocates for the passage of S. 122 (Mortgage Debt Tax Relief Act).

11 May 2017

The New Age of Servicing

MReport published an article exploring the ever-evolving mortgage servicing landscape.

10 May 2017

‘Clear boarding’ Replacing Plywood in Bid to Curb Foreclosure Blight

National Mortgage News published an article discussing recent moves by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to widen the use of clearboarding for securing pre-foreclosure and real estate owned (REO) properties.

9 May 2017

North Carolina Supreme Court Adopts “Substantial Competent Evidence” Requirement for Borrowers Asserting “True Value” Defense in Foreclosure Deficiency Actions

The National Law Review published an article authored by Lance P. Martin of Ward and Smith, P.A. In it, Martin details a recent North Carolina Supreme Court reversal of a 2015 Court of Appeals decision. 

9 May 2017

Brooklyn Court Quietly Moves to Toss Out Hundreds of Foreclosure Cases

DNA Info published an article outlining a plan by the Kings County, N.Y. Supreme Court to dismiss all foreclosure cases filed before January 1, 2016 that have seen no court activity after September 30, 2016.

8 May 2017

Underwater Mortgages on Decline

DS News published an article discussing ATTOM Data Solutions’ Q1 2017 U.S. Home Equity & Underwater Report.

8 May 2017

Should Servicers Still be Outsourcing REO Disposition?

HousingWire published an article exploring what the current state of the housing industry means for banks and investors that have invested in distressed loan portfolios.

5 May 2017

Laws to Fast-Track Vacant Home Foreclosures Slowly Gain Traction

National Mortgage News published an article exploring current national foreclosure activity and laws that aim to shorten the foreclosure process.

28 Apr 2017

Wisconsin Supreme Court Tackles “Walkaway” Foreclosures

John M. Murphy and Nathan J. Wautier of Reinhart Boerner Van Deuren S.C. authored an article discussing a recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals decision addressing whether “the mortgagee must publish a notice of foreclosure sale within the six-month time frame suggested by the statute (Section 846.101) or risk having the court vacate the foreclosure judgement altogether.

27 Apr 2017

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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