Archives For: Investor and Regulatory Updates

Fannie Mae: Lender Letter LL-2021-07: COVID-19 Payment Deferral

Fannie Mae adjusted the terms for a Flex Modification with reduced eligibility criteria for COVID-19 impacted borrowers to provide an opportunity to reduce their interest rate, regardless of the mortgage loan’s mark-to-market loan-to-value ratio.

30 Jun 2021

Fannie Mae: Lender Letter LL-2021-02: Impact of COVID-19 on Servicing

Fannie Mae updated provisions regarding the suspension of foreclosure-related activities and filing motions for relief from the automatic stay in certain bankruptcy cases.

30 Jun 2021

FHFA: Expanded Use of Interest Rate Reduction for COVID-19 Hardship

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced changes to loan modification terms for COVID-19 impacted borrowers with mortgages backed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac needing payment reduction for successful home retention.

30 Jun 2021

Freddie Mac: Guide Bulletin 2021-24: Servicing Updates

Freddie Mac announced the upcoming expiration of the COVID-19 foreclosure moratorium, temporary changes to Freddie Mac Flex Modification® for Borrowers with a COVID-19 hardship and updates to PAID.

30 Jun 2021

FHFA: Protecting Borrowers After COVID-19 Moratoriums End

The FHFA announced that servicers of mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will not be permitted to make a first notice or filing for foreclosure that would be prohibited by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) Protections for Borrowers Affected by the COVID-19 Emergency Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, Regulation X Final Rule before it takes effect.

29 Jun 2021

FHFA: Three Staffing Updates Announced

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced new appointments to the leadership team​ for longtime FHFA staff ​Naa Awaa Tagoe, Daniel E. Coates, and Danielle Walton.

28 Jun 2021

HUD: FHA INFO #21-49: FHA Catalyst Functionality Updates

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released enhancements to the FHA Catalyst: Claims Binder Module. Included are functionalities that allow mortgagees to receive notification that prevents duplicate claim submissions and add documents/files to an existing claim submission.

28 Jun 2021

HUD: More Measures to Help Homeowners Struggling Due to COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) extended its foreclosure and eviction moratoria for all FHA-insured single family mortgages (except vacant or abandoned properties) through July 31, 2021.

25 Jun 2021

USDA: Foreclosure and Eviction Moratorium Extended

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that its foreclosure and eviction moratorium has been extended through July 31, 2021.

25 Jun 2021

VA: Circular 26-21-10: Relief for Borrowers Affected by COVID-19

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced extended foreclosure and eviction relief on properties secured by VA-guaranteed loans through July 31, 2021.

25 Jun 2021

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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