Safeguard Properties

FEMA Declared Disaster Oregon

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 2, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Oregon affected by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that took place February 23-26, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Coos
  • Curry
  • Douglas
  • Jefferson
  • Lane

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster for Oregon

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Oregon


Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

VFSAC Golf Classic Supports Military Veterans’ American Dream

Posted on by Safeguard

Safeguard in the News
April 24, 2019

Source: MReport

The Veterans Financial Services Advisory Council (VFSAC), an organization that helps veterans and their families in search of support related to housing and critical services, is holding its First Annual VFSAC Golf Classic this May.

The tournament, which will be held at Stonebriar Country Club in Frisco, Texas, on May 14, will bring together industry leaders as they hit the greens to support our nation’s military families. All the proceeds from this tournament will be donated to Operation Homefront, a national 501(c)(3) that partners with VFSAC to address the ongoing housing needs of veterans and their families.

Former Wells Fago executive and VFSAC council member JK Huey told DS News, “I’ve participated in many golf tournaments over the past 30 years, and while many of them were for very good causes, this is one that I’m most proud of and excited about.”

Founded by Five Star Global President and CEO Ed Delgado in 2016, VFSAC’s Executive Council includes leaders from Auction.com, Alacrity Services, Aspen Grove Solutions, Five Brothers Asset Management, The Five Star Institute, Home Depot, Operation Homefront, Rushmore Loan Management Services, Safeguard Properties, and ServiceMac. The organization’s current Chair is Terry Smith, CEO for Rushmore Loan Management Services LLC.

The organization’s ongoing initiatives include the “Homes on the Homefront” program that provides mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families looking to reintegrate into the civilian community. Through this plan, VFSAC receives industry donations of distressed residential assets in an “as-is” condition. Through a collaborative effort, it conducts repairs and necessary rehab to restore these homes into a move-in-ready condition for veterans. The program also accepts rehabbed homes from investors, asset management companies, and mortgage companies. Once these homes are move-in ready, they become available as mortgage-free homes to qualified veteran families.

Sponsors for the 2019 VFSAC Golf Classic include ALAW; Aspen Grove Solutions; Auction.com; Carrington; Five Brothers Asset Management; Ginali Associates; Goldman Sachs; Google; LoanCare; National Field Representatives, Inc.; Novare National Settlement Service (A Division of Fidelity National Title); Prominent Escrow Services, Inc. and FIN Title; RSMA Law; Rushmore Cares; Safeguard; ServiceLink; Xome; and York-Jersey Underwriters.

To register for the tournament, click here. You can learn more about sponsorship opportunities here.

Editor’s note: Although VFSAC was founded by Five Star Global President and CEO Ed Delgado, it is an independent working group and is not affiliated with Five Star Global, Five Star Institute, or any of its companies.

FEMA Declared Disaster Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 29, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for the Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa as a result of severe storms and flooding that took place March 13 to April 1, 2019. The following tribal area is eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa (Tama County, 52339)

NOTE: Tribal areas are approximate and may be incomplete.

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster for Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for Sac & Fox Tribe of the Mississippi in Iowa

 

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

NYDFS Launches Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Alert
April 29, 2019

Source: New York Department of Financial Services

Additional Resources:

insideARM (NYDFS Launches New “Powerhouse” Consumer Protection and Enforcement Division)

HousingWire (New York Launches its Own CFPB)

Acting Department of Financial Services (DFS) Superintendent Linda A. Lacewell today announced that Katherine A. Lemire has been appointed as Executive Deputy Superintendent of the Department’s newly created Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division. The new division combines the previously separate Enforcement and Financial Frauds and Consumer Protection divisions.

“As a highly respected and experienced prosecutor, compliance and regulatory professional, Katie is well-positioned to successfully marshal the extensive resources of the Department’s Enforcement and Financial Frauds and Consumer Protection divisions to deliver real results for New Yorkers,” said Acting Superintendent Lacewell. “DFS’s new Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division will be a powerhouse, and Katie’s knowledge and skillset will greatly strengthen the Department’s mandate to guard against financial crises and to protect consumers and markets from fraud.”

Prior to her appointment at DFS, Ms. Lemire was a partner at StoneTurn, an international consulting firm providing compliance and investigative services.  Before joining StoneTurn, Ms. Lemire founded and oversaw a risk and compliance firm, Lemire LLC, which merged into StoneTurn.

Katie Lemire said, “Given the paramount importance of consumer protection and regulatory oversight in the financial marketplace, I look forward to once again re-entering public service and serving the best interests of New Yorkers, while utilizing the expertise and dedication of DFS staff and resources of the Department.”

Ms. Lemire served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York where she investigated complex federal crimes, including allegations of public corruption, racketeering, fraud, and other white-collar crimes. Ms. Lemire also served as a prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, where she investigated and prosecuted a broad array of criminal cases from grand jury proceedings through trial.

In addition, Ms. Lemire has served as Counsel and principal advisor to New York Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly, where she managed a broad portfolio of operational, legal, and managerial matters for an agency comprised of over 53,000 employees.

Ms. Lemire is the recipient of numerous awards, including the New York Federal Executive Board Award (2008), presented by United States Attorney General as well as the Above & Beyond Award for Outstanding Women in Business (2017).

DFS’s Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division is responsible for protecting and educating consumers and fighting consumer fraud, as well as ensuring that regulated entities comply with New York and federal law in relation to their activities serving the public. It is also responsible for developing investigative leads and intelligence in furtherance of the Department’s efforts to enforce the Banking, Insurance and Financial Services laws, with particular focus on the review and response to cybersecurity events and the development of supervisory, regulatory and enforcement policy and direction in the area of financial crimes. Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement encompasses the Enforcement Division; Investigations and Intelligence Division; Civil Investigations Unit; the Producers Unit; the Consumer Examinations Unit; the Student Protection Unit; and the Holocaust Claims Processing Office.

Matthew L. Levine continues to serve as Executive Deputy Superintendent, Enforcement.

Mortgage Servicing Professionals Meet With HUD for Policy Discussion

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 25, 2019

Source: DS News

Capping off a week of meetings between mortgage servicing professionals and related government agencies in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, representatives from the National Mortgage Servicing Association’s (NMSA) Joint Federal Agency Task Force met with HUD for a collaborative discussion about the future of the industry.

The NMSA Task Force group met with government officials at HUD’s headquarters to discuss the pressing issues facing the mortgage servicing sector, including matters related to the servicing of FHA loans.

The Task Force meeting followed Wednesday’s general assembly of the NMSA membership, which included the announcement of Wes Iseley, Senior Managing Director at Carrington Mortgage Holdings, as the group’s incoming Chair, taking over from outgoing Chair Ray Barbone, EVP of Mortgage Services for BankUnited. The NMSA meeting also included a legal update presentation from Legal League 100 Chair Roy Diaz, who discussed matters such as the Supreme Court’s recent ruling in the case of Obduskey v. McCarthy & Holthus LLP, which found that businesses engaged in nonjudicial foreclosure proceedings are not considered “debt collectors” under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act.

Iseley told DS News, “NMSA members had a productive meeting with Brian Montgomery, Assistant Secretary of Housing and Urban Development for Housing and Commissioner of the Federal Housing Administration, and his staff, to discuss recommendations to benefit FHA’s Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, the industry, and homeowners. The NMSA membership looks forward to continued discussions towards advancing these and other important recommendations.”

“Today’s meeting was a productive and important step in continuing to address the challenges facing the industry,” said Ed Delgado, President & CEO of Five Star Global. “We thank HUD and Commissioner Montgomery for their commitment to homeownership and look forward to a continuing dialog in order to best support the needs of the American homeowner.”

Thursday’s meeting wrapped up a week of events that began on Tuesday with the 10th annual Five Star Government Forum at the Newseum, where leaders from the mortgage industry engaged in an open dialogue with their government peers, including representatives from HUD, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, CFPB, the Department of the Treasury, Ginnie Mae, and FHFA.

The Government Forum included a full lineup of presentations, discussion, and education, including keynote addresses from both HUD Secretary Dr. Benjamin Carson and The Hon. Brian D. Montgomery, Acting Deputy Secretary and Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner, HUD.

FHFA: Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac 2018 Scorecard Progress Report

Posted on by Safeguard

Investor Update
April 26, 2019

Source: FHFA

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued a Scorecard Progress Report today summarizing the 2018 activities of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) to further FHFA’s three strategic objectives as conservator:  Maintain, Reduce, and Build.

Interested parties are invited to provide input on this Report. Feedback can be submitted via FHFA.gov, or to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Office of Strategic Initiatives, 400 7th Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20219.

Attachments:

Contacts: Media: Corinne Russell (202) 649-3032 / Stefanie Johnson (202) 649-3030
Consumers: Consumer Communications or (202) 649-3811

New Jersey Bill Aims to Allow Municipal Property Registration

Posted on by Safeguard

Legislation Update
April 24, 2019

Source: New Jersey Legislature (S3482 information/full text))

Sponsored by:
Senator SAMUEL D. THOMPSON
District 12 (Burlington, Middlesex, Monmouth and Ocean)

SYNOPSIS

Permits municipalities to require registration of vacant and abandoned
properties and use registration fee proceeds to maintain these properties.

For full bill text, please click the source link above.

Fannie Mae: Property Preservation Updates

Posted on by Safeguard

Investor Update
April 23, 2019

Source: Fannie Mae (Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide)

Revisions for April 2019

The Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide has been updated.

Revisions include, but are not limited to, the pages noted below. Servicers must comply with all requirements of the Property Preservation Matrix and Reference Guide even if not referenced as a change in the section below.

For full guide, please click the source link above.

FEMA Declared Disaster California

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 1, 2019

FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in California affected by severe winter storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides that took place February 13-15, 2019.

The following counties are eligible for assistance:

Public Assistance

  • Calaveras
  • Colusa
  • Marin
  • Maiposa
  • Mendocino
  • Modoc
  • Napa
  • Riverside
  • Santa Barbara
  • Shasta
  • Trinity

FEMA Release: Declared Disaster for California

ZIP Code List for FEMA Declared Disaster for California


Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

Urban Institute: Options for Reforming the Mortgage Servicing Compensation Model

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 19, 2019

Source: Urban Institute (Options for Reforming the Mortgage Servicing Compensation Model full report)

Abstract

In this brief, the fifth in a series prepared by HFPC researchers with support from the mortgage servicing collaborative, the authors examine three options for the mortgage servicing compensation structure: (1) retain the status quo, (2) move to a fee-for-service model, and (3) move to a central default utility model. The authors discuss the pros and cons of each scenario and assess how each option would perform under various conditions. The authors do not recommend a single option, but articulate considerations of each to help inform future policy discussions on mortgage servicing compensation. There are differing views on the issue, where some suggest servicing compensation must be changed to better align servicing costs and revenues for performing and nonperforming loans in a manner that will improve outcomes for servicers and consumers, while others believe that the present compensation model, coupled with post-crisis reforms and the recommendations from the previous MSC briefs, can promote an efficient servicing market with minimal risk of disruption.

For full report, please click on the source link above.

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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