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FHLMC Guide Bulletin 2015-08 Updates Seller/Servicer Financial and Operational Eligibility

On May 20, Freddie Mac released an update titled Guide Bulletin 2015-08 Updates Seller/Servicer Financial and Operational Eligibility.

Guide Bulletin 2015-8 Updates Seller/Servicer Financial and Operational Eligibility

In today’s Single-Family Seller/Servicer Guide (Guide) Bulletin 2015-8, we’re revising Seller/Servicer financial eligibility requirements and providing additional guidance for Servicer operational requirements.

Seller/Servicer Financial Eligibility Requirements

We’re revising our Seller/Servicer net worth requirements and adding new Seller/Servicer capital and liquidity requirements, effective December 31, 2015. These requirements build on our mission to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation’s housing market.

Please read Guide Bulletin 2015-8 [pdf] for detailed information on eligibility requirements for Seller/Servicers that are depository and non-depository institutions.

Servicing Operational Eligibility Requirements

Sometimes a little extra guidance goes a long way.

Effective August 18, 2015, we’re expanding our operational eligibility requirements for transfers of servicing and subservicing in these areas:

  • Master Servicers and Servicing Agents – Adding requirements in Guide Sections 51.4 and 51.4.1 outlining roles and responsibilities for Master Servicers and their servicing agents. We’ve also created a Servicing Agent Oversight and Surveillance Program Best Practices [pdf] document to help Master Servicers oversee their servicing agents.
  • Subsequent Transfers of Servicing – Revising transfer of servicing requirements and posting our new Servicing Transfer Best Practices [pdf] document, which helps Servicers identify steps for an efficient transfer of servicing as well as avoid pitfalls that lead to poor performance.
  • Seller/Servicer Notification Requirements – Reminding Servicers to notify us if they become subject to certain legal proceedings or regulatory actions.
  • Quality Control Program – Consolidating references to all quality control program requirements into new Guide Section 51.29, Servicer’s Quality Control Program. 

These new and updated requirements are at the direction of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Please read Guide Bulletin 2015-8 for additional details.

Resources

  • View our Quick Tips on Guide Features video for tips to quickly find and access Guide changes.
  • Reference our recently published Guide Snapshot PDF, which reflects Guide requirements as published on March 17, 2015.
  • Visit our Servicing Web page under the Help & Training tab for the two best practices documents listed above and other resources.

For More Information

Please click here to view the online update.

Please click here to view Guide Bulletin 2015-08 [pdf].

About Safeguard 
Safeguard Properties is the mortgage field services industry leader, preserving vacant and foreclosed properties across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands and Guam. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Safeguard provides the highest quality service to our clients by leveraging innovative technologies and proactively developing industry best practices and quality control procedures. Consistent with Safeguard’s values and mission, we are an active supporter of hundreds of charitable efforts across the country. Annually, Safeguard gives back to communities in partnership with our employees, vendors and clients. We also are dedicated to working with community leaders and officials to eliminate blight and stabilize neighborhoods. Safeguard is dedicated to preserving today and protecting tomorrow.  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