Safeguard Properties

Archives For: Investor and Regulatory Updates

MHA: HAMP Update: System Maintenance Outage

Making Home Affordable (MHA) issued an update outlining scheduled system maintenance scheduled for June 26-29, 2020.

11 Jun 2020

Fannie Mae: SVC-2020-02: Servicing Guide Update

Fannie Mae issued a release announcing a number of updates relevant to servicers. Included are changes to pre-modification housing expense-to-income ratio calculation for imminent default and cash contribution, updated instructions to servicers regarding escrow shortages that are part of the full monthly contractual payment, and an update to the Mortgage Assistance Application (Form 710).

10 Jun 2020

VA: Circular 26-20-21: Property Inspection Requirements on CARES Act Forbearance Cases

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued a circular clarifying inspection requirements for properties purchased with VA guaranteed loans where the borrowers have been impacted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

8 Jun 2020

Fannie Mae: LoanSphere Invoicing Line Item Consolidation

Fannie Mae announced that in an effort to streamline servicer submissions for Grass Cut (Property Services) and Attorney Fee expenses, multiple subcategories will be deactivated in LoanSphere Invoicing and new sub-categories will be delivered, effective Aug. 1, 2020. This change will result in a net reduction of 28 subcategories.

3 Jun 2020

FHFA: Non-performing Loan Sales Report – December 2019

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) released the latest report on the sale of non-performing loans (NPLs) by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

1 Jun 2020

VA: Circular 26-20-14: Appraisal Review Requirements and Instructions

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) updated a circular announcing a new automated Appraisal Management Service for use in enhancing the appraisal review process prior to issuance of the Notice of Value.

27 May 2020

VA Circular 26-19-17: Funding Fee Guidance to Lenders and Servicers

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issued an amendment to a circular that supplements the VA Lenders Handbook, Chapter 8, Topic 8, The VA Funding Fee, and updates Chapter 6, Refinancing, concerning Interest Rate Reduction Refinancing Loans (IRRRLs).

22 May 2020

OCC: Comptroller of the Currency Joseph Otting to Step Down

Comptroller of the Currency Joseph M. Otting has announced that he will step down from office on May 29. Pursuant to 12 USC 4 (as designated by Secretary of the Treasury Steven T. Mnuchin), First Deputy and Chief Operating Officer Brian P. Brooks will become acting comptroller of the currency.

21 May 2020

FHFA: Mortgage Analytics Platform (Version 2.0)

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) published a white paper updated to include two major changes to its Mortgage Analytics Platform.

21 May 2020

Freddie Mac: An Evolving Experience in Servicing Gateway

Freddie Mac issued a release outlining upcoming changes to its Servicing Gateway platform scheduled to become effective on May 25, 2020.

18 May 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