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OCC: Revitalization Activities in Areas Affected by Hurricane Maria

Investor Update
May 27, 2021

Source: OCC

Summary

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (collectively, the agencies) today published a statement extending the period for giving favorable consideration under Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) regulations for bank activities that continue to help revitalize or stabilize disaster areas in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands devastated by Hurricane Maria.

The agencies determined an extension to the original period provided in the interagency statement¹ dated January 25, 2018, is appropriate given the hurricane’s continuing economic impact on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Note for Community Banks

This rule applies to community banks² subject to the CRA.

Highlights

The interagency statement

• grants a 36-month extension through September 20, 2023.

• reiterates that institutions located outside of the Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands receive favorable consideration for community development activities that help to revitalize or stabilize these disaster areas, consistent with the agencies’ January 2018 interagency statement and, as applicable, OCC Bulletin 2020-99, “Community Reinvestment Act: Key Provisions of the June 2020 CRA Rule and Frequently Asked Questions.”³

Further Information

Please contact Vonda Eanes, Director for CRA and Fair Lending Policy, Compliance Risk Policy, at (202) 649-5470.

Grovetta N. Gardineer
Senior Deputy Comptroller for Bank Supervision Policy

Related Link

• “Agencies Extend Period for CRA Consideration Given to Community Development Activities Responding to Hurricane Maria Disaster in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands” (PDF)

¹ Refer to OCC News Release 2018-6, “Agencies to Give Favorable Community Reinvestment Act Consideration to Revitalization Activities in Disaster Areas Affected by Hurricane Maria.”

² “Banks” refers to national banks and federal savings associations subject to the CRA. Generally, references to “national banks” also apply to federal branches subject to the CRA unless otherwise specified. Refer to the “Federal Branches and Agencies Supervision” booklet of the Comptroller’s Handbook for more information regarding the applicability of laws, regulations, and guidance to federal branches and agencies.

³ OCC Bulletin 2021-24, “Community Reinvestment Act: Implementation of the June 2020 Final Rule,” announced that the OCC will reconsider portions of the June 2020 CRA rule. This reconsideration should not affect the favorable CRA consideration extended by the interagency statement attached below.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties