Archives For: Industry Updates

Proposed NY Bill Requires Maintenance of Tenant-Occupied Properties

NY S1579 would obligate mortgage foreclosure plaintiffs to maintain properties that are vacant or become vacant after commencement of the action, or abandoned by a mortgagor but occupied by a tenant, until transfer of ownership.

13 Jan 2021

NJ Registration Bill Would Require Visible Contact Info at Vacant Properties

A proposed New Jersey bill (A2877) would establish a municipal registration requirement for the owner/mortgage holder of all vacant residential/commercial properties.

7 Jan 2021

FEMA Tool Calculates Risk for Every County in the Nation

The Weather Channel published an article detailing FEMA’s new National Risk Index, which calculates risk for natural disasters among 3,006 U.S. counties.

6 Jan 2021

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2020-46: Servicing Updates

Freddie Mac announced an extension of the COVID-19 foreclosure moratorium, updates to requirements for borrower-requested cancellation of borrower-paid mortgage insurance, Decision Insights for short sale exceptions, updates to Automated Clearing House authorization forms and more.

9 Dec 2020

Report: Biden Picks Marcia Fudge to Lead HUD

According to news outlets, President-Elect Joe Biden has reportedly selected Ohio congresswoman Marcia Fudge to serve as secretary for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). DS News offers a summary of media coverage.

8 Dec 2020

Freddie Mac: UCount is Here

Freddie Mac announced the launch of its Unified Counterparty Experience System® (UCount), a user-friendly platform allowing the submission of information formerly provided through Guide Forms 16SF (Annual Eligibility Certification Report), 1107SF (Seller/Servicer Change Notification Form) and the Annual Eligibility Website.

7 Dec 2020

CFPB: Advisory Opinions Policy Finalized

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued its final Advisory Opinions Policy to publicly address regulatory uncertainty in its existing regulations and provide guidance to entities on outstanding regulatory uncertainty.

30 Nov 2020

CFPB: Executive Team Additions Announced

The CFPB announced several leadership position additions, including a new chief operating officer and chief information officer.

30 Nov 2020

FHA’s Response to a National Health Crisis

DS News published an article outlining the NPPC 2020 keynote address of HUD Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Dror Oppenheimer.

10 Nov 2020

Freddie Mac: FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2020-33: Servicing and Selling Updates

Freddie Mac updated the effective date for the deployment of the new Unified Counterparty Experience System® from November 8, 2020 to December 7, 2020.

2 Nov 2020

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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