Archives For: Industry Updates

Fannie Mae Announces SVC-2023-01 Servicing Guide Update

Fannie Mae has released the March Servicing Guide update, with changes to pre-foreclosure property preservation requirements.

8 Mar 2023

CFPB Uncovers Illegal Junk Fees on Bank Accounts, Mortgages, and Student and Auto Loans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released a special edition of its Supervisory Highlights that reports on unlawful junk fees uncovered in deposit accounts and in multiple loan servicing markets, including in mortgage, student, and payday lending.

8 Mar 2023

Senators Introduce ‘Neighborhood Homes Investment Act’ to Expand Affordable Homeownership Opportunities and Revitalize Communities

The Neighborhood Homes Investment Act, introduced by senators from Maryland and Indiana, would create a new tax incentive that would produce starter homes in under-resourced communities over the next decade.

7 Mar 2023

Land Bank Sales Point a Way Toward Neighborhood Revitalization

The Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corp. sold two properties to a developer who will renovate and sell them as single-family homes, driving revitalization within two city neighborhoods.

7 Mar 2023

Abandoned House Called ‘Big Eyesore’ Demolished Under Dekalb Co. Blight Program

The blight program in Dekalb County, Georgia is working to revitalize neighborhoods by abating or demolishing abandoned, blighted properties throughout the county.

7 Mar 2023

Mortgage Servicers and Government Agencies to Converge in D.C.

Safeguard Properties is set to sponsor the Five Star Government Forum at The National Press Club on April 11, 2023 in Washington, DC.

6 Mar 2023

Freddie Mac Serious Delinquency Rate Unchanged in January; Fannie Mae Decreased Slightly

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae report mortgage serious delinquency rate for January 2023.

27 Feb 2023

Black Knight: Mortgage Delinquencies Decrease in January

According to Black Knight’s First Look report, the percent of loans delinquent decreased 2.3% in January 2023 compared to December 2022.

24 Feb 2023

Zombie Foreclosures Inch Up Again Across the Nation

ATTOM has released its first-quarter 2023 Vacant Property and Zombie Foreclosure Report, showing that approximately 1.3 million residential properties in the United States sit vacant.

23 Feb 2023

FHA Announces Lower Mortgage Insurance Premiums

HUD released details of a long-anticipated plan to reduce the annual MIP that are currently charged to FHA borrowers by 30 Basis Points.

22 Feb 2023

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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