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FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2014-15 Updates Align with Industry Regulations and Practices

On August 14, Freddie Mac released an update titled Guide Bulletin 2014-15: Updates Align with Industry Regulations and Practices.

Guide Bulletin 2014-15: Updates Align with Industry Regulations and Practices

Today’s Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide (Guide) Bulletin 2014-15 announces selling and servicing updates that may impact the way you do business with Freddie Mac. Key changes are summarized in this email.

  • Mortgages insured by Arch Mortgage Insurance Company. If you sell mortgages insured by Arch Mortgage Insurance Company, the selling system will begin accepting “Other-ArchMI” as a valid value on October 20, 2014. 
  • Suspicious Activity and anti-money laundering (AML) noncompliance reporting. If you are subject to the AML requirements of the Bank Secrecy Act, effective October 1, 2014, you must report to Freddie Mac, as permitted by law, instances of AML program noncompliance. In addition, all Seller/Servicers must develop internal controls, policies, and procedures to detect and report Suspicious Activity as defined in the Guide.
  • Updates to counterparty eligibility. Wholly owned subsidiaries of Seller/Servicers that are federally regulated depository institutions are required to have a separate Freddie Mac approval to do business with Freddie Mac. Such subsidiaries must submit an application for approval by October 15, 2014.
  • Updates to flood insurance requirements. For 1- to 4-unit properties, flood insurance coverage may be waived for structures on the mortgaged premises that are detached from the primary residential structure and do not serve as a residence.
  • Updates related to ULDD. Based on customer feedback, we are clarifying existing Uniform Loan Delivery Dataset (ULDD) Phase 1 and 2 data points. These updates will be included in the ULDD specification addendum scheduled for release next month.
  • Certificate of incumbency forms. We’ve changed our certificates of incumbency for Sellers and warehouse lenders to make the forms easier to use. These updated forms must be used on or after October 1, 2014, but are now available for your immediate use.
  • Requirement updates for manufactured homes. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Data Plate and HUD Certification Label must both be present to evidence the manufactured home is built in compliance with the HUD Code. We’re also providing alternative sources that may be used as evidence of compliance.

Please read the Bulletin for detailed information on these and other updates.

For More Information

  • Review Guide Bulletin 2014-15 [pdf].
  • Contact your Freddie Mac representative.

Please click here to view the online update.

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