CFPB Gives Training on Updated Servicer Rules

Investor Update
September 20, 2016

Officials from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) spoke to attendees from all sectors of the mortgage industry at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Industry and Servicer Training Update during the 2016 Five Star Conference and Expo. Laurie Maggiano, Manager for Servicing and Securitization Markets, Research, and Regulation, and Laura Johnson, Senior Counsel in the Office of Regulations led this training update. Maggiano and Johnson presented an overview of policy and programs that impact the mortgage industry based off of the recently published rules in August. This was one of the first times the Bureau has provided an in-depth, in-person training since the promulgation of the new servicing rules.

The finalized rules dictate that servicers must provide certain borrowers with foreclosure protections more than once over the life of the loan. According to the CFPB, this change will be particularly helpful for borrowers who obtain a permanent loan modification and later suffer an unrelated hardship, such as the loss of a job or the death of a family member, that could otherwise cause them to face foreclosure.

Servicers must also clarify borrower protections when the servicing of a loan is transferred and provide important loan information to borrowers in bankruptcy.

The updated rules also more clearly define various roles in the foreclosure process. For those who inherit property, the potential foreclosure process has been especially perilous. The updated rules establish a broad definition of “successor in interest” that generally includes persons who receive property upon the death of a relative or joint tenant, via divorce or legal separation, through certain trusts, or from a spouse or parent and gives them, generally, the same protections outlined under the CFPB’s mortgage servicing rules as the original borrower.

These amendments also require servicers to notify borrowers when loss mitigation applications are complete and provide greater protection for struggling borrowers during servicing transfers. The rules also clarify servicers’ obligations to avoid dual-tracking and prevent wrongful foreclosures, as well as when a borrower becomes delinquent.

To view the presentation material from the CFPB Industry and Servicer Training Update click HERE.

To read more about the CFPB’s updated rules click HERE.

Editor’s note: The Five Star Institute is the parent company of DS News and DSNews.com.

Source: DS News

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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