Archives For: Industry Updates

Land Bank in Works for County

Local government leaders have started the process of creating a land bank in Madison County, Ohio, with the first organizational meeting taking place later this month.

4 Jan 2023

Washington to Begin Enforcing Blight-Related Ordinances

Three ordinances designed to combat blight in the city of Washington, PA can now be enforced, including a newly established abandoned residential/commercial property regulation program.

4 Jan 2023

Kankakee Land Bank Looks to Acquire 1st Property

The Kankakee County Land Bank Authority could begin moving tax delinquent and abandoned properties back into productive use in Kankakee County, Illinois.

3 Jan 2023

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency 2022 Annual Report

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency has released the 2022 Annual Report, outlining strategic priorities, financial management, and regulatory and policy initiatives from 2022.

1 Jan 2023

3 New Cassel Zombie Homes to be Given New Life Thanks to State Grant

The town of North Hempstead, NY has received more than $1 million in state grants to help turn abandoned houses into homes for first-time home buyers in New Cassel.

29 Dec 2022

New York Enacts Statewide Law Superseding Local Requirements for Registration of Mortgages in Default

New York Assembly Bill A3081, signed by Governor Hochul on November 21, effectively preempts any local law that would require mortgage lenders to register mortgages in default at any point prior to the filing of a notice of pendency in foreclosure proceedings.

20 Dec 2022

HUD Seeking First-of-its-Kind Public Input to More Equitably and Accurately Allocate Disaster Recovery Funds

For the first time, HUD has requested public feedback to help determine how best to simplify, modernize and more equitably distribute critical disaster recovery funds.

20 Dec 2022

Share of Mortgage Loans in Forbearance Remains Flat at .7% in November

The MBA Monthly Loan Monitoring Survey revealed that the total number of loans now in forbearance remained flat relative to the prior month at 0.70% as of November 30, 2022.

19 Dec 2022

How Hartford Land Bank Helps City Residents Turn Blighted Properties into Homeownership Opportunities

The Hartford Land Bank is working with Hartford-based developers to invest in blighted properties in the city, with the hope of driving better living conditions and potential for homeownership in the tenant-dominated city.

17 Dec 2022

Mortgage Rates Drop for Fifth Week in a Row

Mortgage rates fell once again this week, dipping for the fifth straight week in a row. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed rate is currently at 6.31%.

15 Dec 2022

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties