Industry Update
March 8, 2022
Source: National Mortgage Professional
Declining unemployment rates and rising housing prices have had a significant effect on a sector of homeowners that might come as a surprise.
According to CoreLogic’s just-released monthly Loan Performance Insights Report for December 2021, those two factors have led to a precipitous decline in mortgage delinquencies.
For full report, please click the source link above.
FEMA Alert
March 4, 2022
FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Florida to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the 1707 Adkins Ave Fire starting March 4, 2022 and continuing. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Florida 1707 Adkins Ave Fire (FM-5424-FL)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
March 5, 2022
FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Kansas to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Cottonwood Fire Complex starting March 5, 2022 and continuing. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Kansas Cottonwood Fire Complex (FM-5425-KS)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
March 6, 2022
FEMA has issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for the state of Florida to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by the Chipola Fire Complex on March 4, 2022. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Florida Chipola Fire Complex (FM-5426-FL)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
Industry Update
March 1, 2022
Source: Quad City Times
Rock Island is partnering with other communities to address blight and abandoned properties in the Illinois Quad Cities.
City council members on Monday approved an intergovernmental agreement with Moline and East Moline for the creation of a regional land bank called the Quad-Cities Land Bank Authority.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
February 28, 2022
Source: Springfield News-Sun
It could be easier to contact the owners of abandoned and dilapidated properties if a bill sponsored by two Dayton-area lawmakers passes.
State Reps. Willis Blackshear, D-Dayton, and Andrea White, R-Kettering, introduced the Neighborhood Protection Act on Feb. 9. It would require owners of vacant properties to file full contact information with their county auditor’s office. It would apply to residential and commercial properties, he said.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
February 28, 2022
Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency
FHFA Acting Director Sandra L. Thompson announced that the Housing Trust Fund and Capital Magnet Fund will receive a total of $1.138 billion for affordable housing initiatives from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. This is the largest amount ever provided to these programs from the Enterprises.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
March 1, 2022
Source: RisMedia
Fannie Mae has announced it has appointed Sharifa A. Anderson as senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion (D&I) officer, effective February 28, 2022. Anderson will be a member of Fannie Mae’s management committee and serve as the company’s first chief D&I officer in this newly created role.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
February 25, 2022
Source: mpamag.com
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has re-proposed, and is seeking additional comments on, its minimum financial eligibility requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac seller/servicers.
The proposed changes from the existing standards established in 2015 involve differentiating between the servicing risks of the government-sponsored enterprises and Ginnie Mae. The FHFA also suggested increasing the required capital ratio for nonbank sellers/servicers from 6% to 9%.
In a statement, the agency said the move will “strengthen, and provide transparency and consistency of, required capital and liquidity for seller/servicers with different business models.”
For full report, please click the source link above.
FEMA Alert
February 27, 2022
FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Kentucky to supplement state, tribal and local recovery efforts in the areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, flooding, and landslides from December 31, 2021 – January 2, 2022. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Kentucky Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, Flooding and Landslides (DR-4643-KY)
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
