Safeguard Properties

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Fannie Mae SVC-2013-25 Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Attorney Fees

On December 11, Fannie Mae released an update titled Servicing Announcement SVC-2013-25: Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Attorney Fees and Other Reimbursable Expenses, as well as additional updates.

POLICY

Announcement SVC-2013-25: Bankruptcy and Foreclosure Attorney Fees and Other Reimbursable Expenses
This Announcement updates policies regarding allowable bankruptcy and foreclosure attorney fees and other reimbursable expenses related to bankruptcy and foreclosure matters. Both the Allowable Bankruptcy Attorney Fees exhibit and the Allowable Foreclosure Attorney Fees exhibit have been updated on Fannie Mae’s Business Portal.

TECHNOLOGY

SURF System Outage on Dec. 20 Due to Technical Upgrade 
The Servicer’s Reconciliation Facility (SURF™) is scheduled for a technical upgrade. Effective Dec. 20, 2013, a file size limit of 150 MB will be imposed on all upload files to SURF. Upload files larger than 150 MB will not be processed; please break the file down to smaller files to re-upload in SURF. With this upgrade, SURF will be unavailable from 2 p.m. ET through 10 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20. The application is expected to be available as normal on Saturday, Dec. 21. Please contact your Investor Reporting Business Analyst if you have any questions.

LATEST NEWS

Uniform Mortgage Servicing Dataset – Status Update
At the end of 2012, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the GSEs) communicated that, at the direction of our regulator, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), we are working together to develop industry-wide servicing data standards called the Uniform Mortgage Servicing Dataset (UMSD). We listened to your input about the UMSD implementation and understand the numerous priorities you’re currently addressing. Due to these priorities, the GSEs will not publish a UMSD Phase 1 specification in 2013. As a result, servicers, vendors, and other industry participants do not need to take specific steps to prepare for the UMSD at this time. For more information review the UMSD Update.

A Closer Look at Qualified Mortgages
Big changes are coming for residential mortgage lenders starting next year. In this week’s Housing Industry Forum, the new Ability-to-Repay and qualified mortgage (QM) rules are explained, plus the changes Fannie Mae is making to eligibility standards as a result. Learn more, and tell us about your challenges, in the Housing Industry Forum.

Business Portal Search Enhancements Now Available
Starting this week, you’ll notice the addition of new site search features, such as:

  • Search Suggestions to offer auto-filled suggestions when you begin typing a search term or phrase; and
  • Did You Mean? to help correct misspellings and also guide you to the most appropriate information.

We’re listening to your feedback! This is part of on-going improvements to help you quickly find the information you need on the Business Portal website. Check it out today.

REMINDER

Reminder and Job Aid for Form 582, Lender Record Information
As a reminder, approved seller/servicers must promptly notify Fannie Mae of any changes in their staffing, principal purpose, activities, or facilities. The Form 582/Lender Record Information application is available 24 hours a day, except during a weekly maintenance window of 8 p.m. ET Sunday to 8 a.m. Monday. Review the job aid for the Form 582 application for guidance on entering updates at any time as well as submitting the required annual certification. Lenders that ended their fiscal year on Sept. 30, 2013 must submit their annual certification via Form 582 and their audited financial statements by Dec. 31, 2013.

Please click here to view the online release.

About Safeguard 
Safeguard Properties is the largest mortgage field services company in the U.S. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and based in Valley View, Ohio, the company inspects and maintains defaulted and foreclosed properties for mortgage servicers, lenders,  and other financial institutions. Safeguard employs approximately 1,700 people, in addition to a network of thousands of contractors nationally. Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.

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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