Archives For: Industry Updates

Cincinnati Neighborhood Converts Vacant Historic Buildings into Affordable Housing

The Lower Price Hill Thrives project in Cincinnati, Ohio is set to deliver 47 new affordable housing units by renovating vacant properties in the neighborhood.

28 Nov 2022

Niskayuna Partners with Land Bank, County to Address Zombie Properties

Niskayuna is partnering with the Capital Region Land Bank and Schenectady County on a pilot program designed to swiftly address zombie properties in the town.

25 Nov 2022

Loans in Forbearance Increase for First Time in 29 Months

The number of loans in forbearance has increased for the first time in 29 months, new numbers by the Mortgage Bankers Association revealed.

22 Nov 2022

M&T Bank Commits $1.2 Million to Community Revitalization Programs in Pennsylvania

M&T Bank will provide more than $1.2 million to 42 initiatives aimed at servicing distressed communities or low-income neighborhoods in Pennsylvania.

22 Nov 2022

Black Knight: Mortgage Delinquency Rate Increased in October, Impacted by Hurricane

According to Black Knight’s First Look Report, the percentage of delinquent loans increased by 4.5% in October compared to September.

22 Nov 2022

The Nation’s Vacant Homes Present an Opportunity – and a Problem

As construction costs for new homes and interest rates continue to soar, vacant housing is drawing more attention as a shortcut to getting more units on the market.

22 Nov 2022

Mortgage Rates Retreat Below 7%

Mortgage rates dipped significantly this week, retreating below 7% for the 30-year fixed term, including FHA, VA and jumbo loans.

21 Nov 2022

Wake County Board Approves $35 Million for Affordable Housing

The Wake County, NC board unanimously voted to appropriate $35 million from the county’s existing American Rescue Act Plan to address housing instability.

21 Nov 2022

Intend Indiana Unveil New Homes as Part of HomePower Initiative

Intend Indiana is trying to bring new life to Martindale-Brightwood neighborhoods through its affordable housing HomePower initiative.

17 Nov 2022

Fannie Mae Launches New Single-Family Social Disclosures

Fannie Mae launched new social disclosures, the Social Criteria Share and the Social Density Score, for its Single-Family mortgage-backed securities.

16 Nov 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