Archives For: Industry Updates

Top 10 States with Longest Foreclosure Timeline

ATTOM Data Solutions published an article discussing results from its recent U.S. Foreclosure Market Report.

6 Dec 2019

Freddie Mac: Reining in Reverse Occupancy

Freddie Mac published an article exploring reverse occupancy misrepresentation. Potential indicators associated with this type of fraudulent behavior are highlighted for servicer/lender reference.

3 Dec 2019

Better Predicting Mortgage Default

DS News published an article outlining a recent report from Fitch Ratings that explores mortgage default and identifies metrics that can be used to determine its likelihood.

2 Dec 2019

New York City to Combat the Problem of ‘Zombie Homes’

Curbed published an article exploring actions taken in New York designed to address issues stemming from vacant and abandoned properties, foreclosure, homelessness and an affordability crisis.

25 Nov 2019

Group Looks to Reduce Number of Abandoned ‘Zombie’ Homes

The Spokane Journal of Business published an article highlighting the efforts of a coalition of local professionals determined to reduce the number of Spokane, Wash., zombie properties. Other options currently being explored by the city (foreclosure registry, land bank) also are discussed.

21 Nov 2019

CFPB: Report Explores Differences Between Large and Small Mortgage Servicers

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued a report examining the differences between large and small mortgage servicers. The report explores the role servicers of different sizes play in the mortgage market where size is defined by the number of loans serviced.

21 Nov 2019

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2019-24: Updates to Mortgage Insurance Master Policies

Freddie Mac announced changes to its approved mortgage insurers'(MI) master policies, endorsements and other forms that were last updated in 2014.

20 Nov 2019

Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta: Foreclosure Externalities and Vacant Property Registration Ordinances

The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta published a white paper that tests the eﬀectiveness of vacant property registration ordinances (VPROs) in reducing negative externalities from foreclosures.

19 Nov 2019

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2019-23: Updates on Servicing Gateway

Freddie Mac issued a release announcing updates related to flood insurance, resale restrictions and right of first refusal, reimbursment of legal fees and costs, and the Freddie Mac Servicing Gateway.

13 Nov 2019

REO Auctions Attracting Competing Bids

Auction.com issued a report highlighting bank-owned property auction data from the third quarter of 2019.

11 Nov 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.

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