Industry Update
March 21, 2022
Source: Freddie Mac
Freddie Mac announced that Wendell Chambliss, a 20-year veteran of the company, has been appointed senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer (CDIO). In this newly created role, Chambliss will be responsible for programs and initiatives to bring greater diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) to the company and to the housing industry.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
March 21, 2022
Source: The Baltimore Sun
Baltimore City Council introduced five bills Monday aimed at combating the city’s problem with vacant properties.
The legislation, which includes three bills sponsored by City Council President Nick Mosby and two from Odette Ramos, calls for increasing several fees associated with owning a vacant property in Baltimore. Another bill would streamline the city’s newly approved in rem foreclosure process to make sure it’s aligned with state law.
For full report, please click the source link above.
FEMA Alert
March 24, 2022
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Alaska to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by a severe winter storm and straight-line winds from December 25-27, 2021. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Alaska Severe Winter Storm and Straight-line Winds (DR-4648-AK)
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for the State of Alaska
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
Industry Update
March 22, 2022
Source: ABC News
At least three southern states were under a tornado watch Tuesday following an outbreak of twisters Monday night in Texas and Oklahoma that cut a path of destruction, killed one person and injured at least 10 others.
Twenty tornadoes were reported Monday night, 19 of those in central and northern Texas, where multiple homes and businesses were damaged, according to the National Weather Service. Heavy damage occurred from funnel clouds touching down in Round Rock, Texas, where roofs were ripped off homes, according to the local fire and police departments.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
March 23, 2022
Source: AP News
A tornado that menaced the New Orleans area flipped a schoolbus, ripped off rooftops and deposited a house with a family inside it onto the middle of their street. Two people were killed as the storm front blew across the South.
Other tornadoes spawned by the same system caused so much damage in Texas that the governor declared a disaster in 16 counties. Buildings were shredded in Alabama, where torrential rainfall was recorded.
Multiple people were injured. The dead included a woman north of Dallas, Texas, and a person in St. Bernard Parish, next to New Orleans. Authorities didn’t immediately describe how they were killed.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
March 21, 2022
Source: consumerfinancemonitor.com
Last week, the CFPB published a blog post, stating that it “strongly encourages” mortgage servicers to participate in Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF) programs. The Bureau asserts that it “remains focused on preventing avoidable foreclosures to the maximum extent possible and expects mortgage servicers to do the same.”
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
March 21, 2022
Source: MBA.org
The Mortgage Bankers Association’s (MBA) monthly Loan Monitoring Survey revealed that the total number of loans now in forbearance decreased by 12 basis points from 1.30% of servicers’ portfolio volume in the prior month to 1.18% as of February 28, 2022. According to MBA’s estimate, 590,000 homeowners are in forbearance plans.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
March 16, 2022
Source: AP News
The Federal Reserve launched a high-risk effort last Wednesday to tame the worst inflation since the early 1980s, raising its benchmark short-term interest rate and signaling up to six additional rate hikes this year.
The Fed’s quarter-point hike in its key rate, which it had pinned near zero since the pandemic recession struck two years ago, marks the start of its effort to curb the high inflation that followed the recovery from the recession. The rate hikes will eventually mean higher loan rates for many consumers and businesses.
For full report, please click the source link above.
FEMA Alert
March 20, 2022
FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires on March 20, 2022. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
March 18, 2022
FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Texas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by wildfires on March 17, 2022. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Texas Wheat Field Fire (FM-5428-TX)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
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
