FEMA Alert
December 15, 2021
FEMA issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for areas of Oklahoma affected by wildfires on December 15, 2021 and continuing. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Oklahoma Cobb Fire (FM-5421-OK)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
FEMA Alert
December 10, 2021
FEMA issued a Fire Management Assistance Declaration for areas of Texas affected by wildfires on December 10, 2021 and continuing. The following counties have been approved for assistance:
Public Assistance:
Texas County Line Fire (FM-5420-TX)
Additional Resources
FEMA’s web site
FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process
Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts
VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters
Industry Update
December 16, 2021
Source: MarketScreener
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) today issued a proposed rule that would require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to develop, maintain, and submit annual capital plans to FHFA. This requirement helps protect taxpayers by ensuring that the Enterprises properly assess their risks and maintain the appropriate level of capital.
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
December 16, 2021
Source: RisMedia
On Tuesday, Dec. 14, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alanna McCargo as president of Ginnie Mae—a position that hasn’t been permanently filled since 2017.
Robert D. Broeksmit, CMB, president and CEO of the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA), released the following statement in response to the news:
“MBA applauds the confirmation of Alanna McCargo to be president of Ginnie Mae. Her experience, knowledge of housing issues and strong working relationships with a wide array of stakeholders will serve her well in this position.”
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
December 15, 2021
Source: cutoday.info
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
December 15, 2021
Source: FEMA Press Release
For full report, please click the source link above.
Legislation Update
December 9, 2021
Source: New York State Senate (S1579 full bill text)
New York Senate Bill 1579, that requires a claimant in a mortgage foreclosure action to maintain the subject property, has been passed by both the Senate and Assembly and has been delivered to the Governor’s desk. With passage of the bill, New York will require that, for a property where a foreclosure action has commenced, servicers must maintain the property when it is vacant, becomes vacant, or is abandoned by the mortgagor but occupied by a tenant. If signed by the Governor, the bill becomes law on December 19, 2021.
For full bill text, please click the source link above.
Legislation Update
December 10, 2021
Source: Hawaii State Legislature (SB818 full bill text)
Proposed Senate Bill 818 aims to require each county in Hawaii to establish an expedited procedure for approvals of demolition permits for vacant residential properties. The bill also requests allowance to the department of taxation to seek the nonjudicial foreclosure sale of vacant and abandoned residential property with an outstanding recorded tax lien at any time after establishing vacancy and abandonment. The bill is an effort by the state to prevent vacant and abandoned properties from becoming a public safety hazard and imposing significant costs to the community.
For full bill text, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
December 14, 2021
Source: Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae is reminding homeowners and renters impacted by the recent tornadoes in communities across Kentucky, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi of available mortgage assistance and disaster relief options. Under Fannie Mae’s guidelines for single-family mortgages impacted by a natural disaster:
For full report, please click the source link above.
Industry Update
December 12, 2021
Source: westport-news.com
Since 2019, the city’s plan to combat blight has taken off, thanks to a responsive staff and more enforcement, officials said.
Mayor Elinor Carbone said the success of the program largely was due to the efforts of Blight Enforcement Officer Ashley Clement.
For full report, please click the source link above.
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
