Safeguard Properties

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 15, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Massachusetts to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms and flooding from September 11-13, 2023.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Bristol
  • Worcester

 

Massachusetts Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4780-MA)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Massachusetts

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

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

Statement of Director Sandra L. Thompson on the FSOC Nonbank Mortgage Servicing Report

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 10 , 2024

Source: Federal Housing Finance Agency

I commend the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) for the publication of its report on nonbank mortgage servicing. This report advances the work of federal and state agencies with oversight responsibility of the mortgage market, identifies vulnerabilities specific to nonbank mortgage servicing business models, and presents robust recommendations to foster financial stability. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) is regulator and conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises), and nonbank mortgage servicers are important counterparties to the Enterprises.

The growth of nonbank mortgage servicers over the past decade has shifted market dynamics and highlighted the need for increased collaboration and coordination among regulators. The FSOC report calls attention to the strengths of nonbank mortgage servicers, including their commitment to the mortgage market and to supporting sustainable homeownership for historically underserved populations, along with several structural vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities include liquidity risk, leverage, asset concentration, and operational risk, each of which could amplify and transmit mortgage market shocks to other financial market participants and to consumers.

To address these vulnerabilities, the FSOC report includes several recommendations that would enhance its member agencies’ oversight authorities, enable better information sharing, and provide for improved liquidity risk management by industry participants. Taken together, I believe these recommendations will reduce the risk of consumer harm or financial market contagion in the event of material financial stress at one or more nonbank mortgage servicers.

I am particularly encouraged that the FSOC recommends Congress consider providing FHFA with additional authority to establish appropriate safety and soundness standards for nonbank mortgage servicing and to directly examine for compliance with these standards. Such authority would give FHFA greater ability to manage the risks identified in the FSOC report and support broader financial stability.

FHFA is committed to ensuring the safety and soundness of, and responsible market conduct by, our regulated entities. FHFA will continue these efforts as we fulfill our statutory responsibilities and carry out the recommendations in the FSOC report to the greatest extent possible. I welcome FSOC’s focus on the growth of the nonbank mortgage servicing sector and encourage Congress to consider those recommendations in the report which require legislation to fully implement.​

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Sam Valverde in Seat as Acting President of Ginnie Mae

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 9, 2024

Source: Ginnie Mae

Effective May 6th, Sam Valverde entered the role of Acting President of Ginnie Mae. Mr. Valverde previously served as the organization’s Principal Executive Vice President since January 2023.

He began his tenure at Ginnie Mae in March 2022 to serve as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. As Acting President, Mr. Valverde leads Ginnie Mae’s mission to link the United States housing market to the global capital markets, thus providing low-cost financing for federal housing programs and making affordable housing a reality for millions of Americans. He brings more than 15 years of housing finance, policy, and legal experience to Ginnie Mae. Across his career in public service, he has worked to develop market-based solutions to improve economic outcomes for all Americans.

Prior to joining Ginnie Mae, Mr. Valverde was most recently Supervisory Attorney Advisor at the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) in the Division of Conservatorship Oversight and Readiness. In that role, he led agency-wide projects intended to support greater access to mortgage credit and affordable rental opportunities for working families.

Prior to joining public service, Mr. Valverde began his career as a securities lawyer at Davis Polk & Wardell LLP. Mr. Valverde received his J.D. from Yale Law School and an A.B. from Dartmouth College.

Additional information about Ginnie Mae is available at www.ginniemae.gov and on X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Foreclosure Activity Nationwide Shows Slight Decline in April 2024

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 15, 2024

Source: ATTOM

ATTOM, a leading curator of land, property, and real estate data, today released its April 2024 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows there were a total of 31,649 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — down 4 percent from a month ago and down 4 percent from a year ago.

“April’s foreclosure numbers highlight a mixed landscape in the U.S. housing market,” said Rob Barber, CEO at ATTOM. “While there is a general downtrend in foreclosure starts and filings, we have also seen an increase in completed foreclosures. This mixed activity underscores the importance of closely monitoring these developments to understand the ongoing dynamics in the real estate market.”

Maryland, Illinois, and Nevada post highest foreclosure rates

Nationwide one in every 4,453 housing units had a foreclosure filing in April 2024. States with the highest foreclosure rates were Maryland (one in every 2,214 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Illinois (one in every 2,517 housing units); Nevada (one in every 2,546 housing units); South Carolina (one in every 2,573 housing units); and Florida (one in every 2,854 housing units).

Among the 224 metropolitan statistical areas with a population of at least 200,000, those with the highest foreclosure rates in April 2024 were Elkhart, IN (one in every 1,565 housing units with a foreclosure filing); Columbia, SC (one in every 1,689 housing units); Cleveland, OH (one in every 1,859 housing units); Lakeland, FL (one in every 1,861 housing units); and Flint, MI (one in every 1,998 housing units).

Among those metropolitan areas with a population greater than 1 million, those with the worst foreclosure rates in April 2024, aside from Cleveland, OH, included: Baltimore, MD (one in every 2,096 housing units); Chicago, IL (one in every 2,189 housing units); Orlando, FL (one in every 2,199 housing units); and Jacksonville, FL (one in every 2,237 housing units).

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Iowa Severe Storms and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 14, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Iowa to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms and tornadoes from April 26-27, 2024.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Clarke
  • Harrison
  • Mills
  • Polk
  • Pottawattamie
  • Ringgold
  • Shelby
  • Union

 

Iowa Severe Storms and Tornadoes (DR-4779-IA)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Iowa

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

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

HUD Issues Fair Housing Act Guidance on Applications of Artificial Intelligence

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 2, 2024

Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released two guidance documents addressing the application of the Fair Housing Act to two areas in which the use of artificial intelligence poses particular concerns: the tenant screening process and its application to the advertising of housing opportunities through online platforms that use targeted ads. Today’s announcement is in accordance with President Joe Biden’s Executive Order, which called on HUD to provide guidance to combat discrimination enabled by automated or algorithmic tools used to make decisions about access to housing and in other real estate-related transactions.

“Under this Administration, HUD is committed to fully enforcing the Fair Housing Act and rooting out all forms of discrimination in housing,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today, we have released new guidance to ensure that our partners in the private sector who utilize artificial intelligence and algorithms are aware of how the Fair Housing Act applies to these practices.”

“The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender and sexual orientation), disability, and familial status,” said Demetria McCain, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “Housing providers, tenant screening companies, advertisers, and online platforms should be aware that the Fair Housing Act applies to tenant screening and the advertising of housing, including when artificial intelligence and algorithms are used to perform these functions.”

The tenant screening guidance describes fair housing issues created by tenant screening practices, including the increasing use of third-party screening companies to aid with tenant screening decisions and the emerging use of machine learning and artificial intelligence. The guidance also suggests best practices for fair, transparent, and non-discriminatory tenant screening policies, for both housing providers and companies that offer tenant screening services.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

HUD Extends Additional Relief to Borrowers in Maui, HI

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 6, 2024

Source: US Department of Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), announced it is extending its foreclosure moratorium for borrowers with FHA-insured mortgages in Maui County, HI, through August 4, 2024. FHA is taking this action due to the extent of the devastation from the wildfires, the reduced capacity for borrowers to access needed resources, and the unique challenges associated with the geographic location of Maui. The extension will provide affected borrowers more time to obtain federal, state, and local assistance, to work with a HUD-certified housing counselor, and/or to rebuild without the added burden of dealing with foreclosure actions. FHA’s foreclosure moratorium for Maui County has been in place for eight months and was set to expire on May 6, 2024.

“This past September, I visited Maui and saw the damage that wildfires inflicted on homes, communities, and families. I also met with local officials, ensuring them that HUD and the entire Biden-Harris Administration is with them for the long haul,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “Today, we are extending our foreclosure moratorium once again, assuring Maui homeowners that HUD continues to support their full recovery from this disaster.”

“We’ve extended the foreclosure moratorium in Maui County, a county that experienced extreme devastation,” said Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon. “We remain committed to doing all that we can to help the residents of Maui County recover from this disaster.”

With this extension, FHA is instructing mortgage servicers that they must not initiate new, or continue with existing, foreclosure actions on FHA-insured single family forward mortgages and Home Equity Conversion Mortgages for properties located in Maui County.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

Fannie “Real Estate Owned” Inventory Decreased in Q1 2024

Posted on by Safeguard

Industry Update
May 6, 2024

Source: Calculated Risk

Fannie reported results for Q1 2024. Here is some information on single-family Real Estate Owned (REOs).

Fannie Mae reported the number of REOs decreased to 7,791 at the end of Q1 2024, down 5% from 8,403 at the end of the previous quarter, and down 9% year-over-year from Q1 2023.

For Fannie, this is down 95% from the 166,787 peak number of REOs in Q3 2010.

This is well below the normal level of REOs for Fannie, and there will not be a huge wave of foreclosures.

 

For full report, please click the source link above.

 

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Nebraska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 3, 2024  

***LAST UPDATED: 5/30/24***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Nebraska to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, and tornadoes from April 25-27, 2024.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Douglas
  • Washington

Public Assistance:

  • Boone
  • Douglas
  • Greeley
  • Howard
  • Sherman
  • Washington

 

Nebraska Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, and Tornadoes (DR-4778-NE)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration for Nebraska

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

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

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Ohio Tornadoes

Posted on by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
May 2, 2024  

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Ohio to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by tornadoes on March 14, 2024.  The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

  • Auglaize
  • Crawford
  • Darke
  • Delaware
  • Hancock
  • Licking
  • Logan
  • Mercer
  • Miami
  • Richland
  • Union

 

Ohio Tornadoes (DR-4777-OH)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration in Ohio

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

 

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

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CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the chief executive officer for Safeguard, 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® finalist in 2013.

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Chief Operating Officer

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the chief operating officer for Safeguard. Mike has been instrumental in aligning operations to become more efficient, effective, and compliant with our ever-changing industry requirements. Mike has a proven track record of excellence, partnership and collaboration at Safeguard. Under Mike’s leadership, all operational departments of Safeguard have reviewed, updated and enhanced their business processes to maximize efficiency and improve quality control.

Mike joined Safeguard in July 2010 as vice president of REO and has continued to take on additional duties and responsibilities within the organization, including the role of vice president of operations in 2013 and then COO in 2015.

Mike built his business career in supply-chain management, operations, finance and marketing. He has held senior management and executive positions with Erico, a manufacturing company in Solon, Ohio; Accel, Inc., a packaging company in Lewis Center, Ohio; and McMaster-Carr, an industrial supply company in Aurora, Ohio.

Before entering the business world, Mike served in the U.S. Army, Ordinance Branch, and specialized in supply chain management. He is a distinguished graduate of West Point (U.S. Military Academy), where he majored in quantitative economics.

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CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Sean Reddington

Sean Reddington is the new Chief Information Officer for Safeguard Properties LLC. Sean has over 15+ years of experience in Information Services Management with a strong focus on Product and Application Management. Sean is responsible for Safeguard’s technological direction, including planning, implementation and maintaining all operational systems

Sean has a proven record of accomplishment for increasing operational efficiencies, improving customer service levels, and implementing and maintaining IT initiatives to support successful business processes.  He has provided the vision and dedicated leadership for key technologies for Fortune 100 companies, and nationally recognized consulting firms including enterprise system architecture, security, desktop and database management systems. Sean possesses strong functional and system knowledge of information security, systems and software, contracts management, budgeting, human resources and legal and related regulatory compliance.

Sean joined Safeguard Properties LLC from RenPSG Inc. which is a nationally leading Philintropic Software Platform in the Fintech space. He oversaw the organization’s technological direction including planning, implementing and maintaining the best practices that align with all corporate functions. He also provided day-to-day technology operations, enterprise security, information risk and vulnerability management, audit and compliance, security awareness and training.

Prior to RenPSG, Sean worked for DMI Consulting as a Client Success Director where he guided the delivery in a multibillion-dollar Fortune 500 enterprise client account. He was responsible for all project deliveries in terms of quality, budget and timeliness and led the team to coordinate development and definition of project scope and limitations. Sean also worked for KPMG Consulting in their Microsoft Practice and Technicolor’s Ebusiness Division where he had responsibility for application development, maintenance, and support.

Sean is a graduate of Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts and received his Masters in International Business from Central Michigan University. He was also a commissioned officer in the United States Air Force prior to his career in the business world.

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General Counsel and Executive Vice President

Linda Erkkila, Esq.

Linda Erkkila is the general counsel and executive vice president for Safeguard and oversees the legal, human resources, training, and compliance departments. Linda’s responsibilities cover regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, enterprise strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, litigation and claims management, and 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. Her practice spans over 20 years, and Linda’s experience covers regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, executive compensation, litigation management, and merger and acquisition activity. Her experience at a former Fortune 500 financial institution during the subprime crisis helped develop Linda’s pro-active approach to change management during periods of heightened regulatory scrutiny.

Linda previously served as vice president and attorney for National City Corporation, as securities and corporate governance counsel for Agilysys Inc., and as an associate at Thompson Hine LLP. She earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Linda holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. In 2017, Linda was named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

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Chief Financial Officer

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Accounting & Information Security departments, and is a Managing Director of SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Joe has been in a wide variety of roles in finance, supply chain management, information systems development, and sales and marketing. His career includes senior positions with McMaster-Carr Supply Company, Newell/Rubbermaid, and Procter and Gamble.

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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AVP, High Risk and Investor Compliance

Steve Meyer

Steve Meyer is the assistant vice president of high risk and investor compliance for Safeguard. In this role, Steve is responsible for managing our clients’ conveyance processes, Safeguard’s investor compliance team and developing our working relationships with cities and municipalities around the country. He also works directly with our clients in our many outreach efforts and he represents Safeguard at a number of industry conferences each year.

Steve joined Safeguard in 1998 as manager over the hazard claims team. He was instrumental in the development and creation of policies, procedures and operating protocol. Under Steve’s leadership, the department became one of the largest within Safeguard. In 2002, he assumed responsibility for the newly-formed high risk department, once again building its success. Steve was promoted to director over these two areas in 2007, and he was promoted to assistant vice president in 2012.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Steve spent 10 years within the insurance industry, holding a number of positions including multi-line property adjuster, branch claims supervisor, and multi-line and subrogation/litigation supervisor. Steve is a graduate of Grove City College.

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AVP, Operations

Jennifer Jozity

Jennifer Jozity is the assistant vice president of operations, overseeing inspections, REO and property preservation for Safeguard. Jen ensures quality work is performed in the field and internally, to meet and exceed our clients’ expectations. Jen has demonstrated the ability to deliver consistent results in order audit and order management.  She will build upon these strengths in order to deliver this level of excellence in both REO and property preservation operations.

Jen joined Safeguard in 1997 and was promoted to director of inspections operations in 2009 and assistant vice president of inspections operations in 2012.

She graduated from Cleveland State University with a degree in business.

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AVP, Finance

Jennifer Anspach

Jennifer Anspach is the assistant vice president of finance for Safeguard. She is responsible for the company’s national workforce of approximately 1,000 employees. She manages recruitment strategies, employee relations, training, personnel policies, retention, payroll and benefits programs. Additionally, Jennifer has oversight of the accounts receivable and loss functions formerly within the accounting department.

Jennifer joined the company in April 2009 as a manager of accounting and finance and a year later was promoted to director. She was named AVP of human capital in 2014. Prior to joining Safeguard, she held several management positions at OfficeMax and InkStop in both operations and finance.

Jennifer is a graduate of Youngstown State University. She was named a Crain’s Cleveland Business Archer Award finalist for HR Executive of the Year in 2017.

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AVP, Application Architecture

Rick Moran

Rick Moran is the assistant vice president of application architecture for Safeguard. Rick is responsible for evolving the Safeguard IT systems. He leads the design of Safeguard’s enterprise application architecture. This includes Safeguard’s real-time integration with other systems, vendors and clients; the future upgrade roadmap for systems; and standards designed to meet availability, security, performance and goals.

Rick has been with Safeguard since 2011. During that time, he has led the system upgrades necessary to support Safeguard’s growth. In addition, Rick’s team has designed and implemented several innovative systems.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Rick was director of enterprise architecture at Revol Wireless, a privately held CDMA Wireless provider in Ohio and Indiana, and operated his own consulting firm providing services to the manufacturing, telecommunications, and energy sectors.

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AVP, Technology Infrastructure and Cloud Services

Steve Machovina

Steve Machovina is the assistant vice president of technology infrastructure and cloud services for Safeguard. He is responsible for the overall management and design of Safeguard’s hybrid cloud infrastructure. He manages all technology engineering staff who support data centers, telecommunications, network, servers, storage, service monitoring, and disaster recovery.

Steve joined Safeguard in November 2013 as director of information technology operations.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Steve was vice president of information technology at Revol Wireless, a privately held wireless provider in Ohio and Indiana. He also held management positions with Northcoast PCS and Corecomm Communications, and spent nine years as a Coast Guard officer and pilot.

Steve holds a BBA in management information systems from Kent State University in Ohio and an MBA from Wayne State University in Michigan.

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Assistant Vice president of Application Development

Steve Goberish

Steve Goberish, is the assistant vice president of application development for Safeguard. He is responsible for the maintenance and evolution of Safeguard’s vendor systems ensuring high-availability, security and scalability while advancing the vendor products’ capabilities and enhancing the vendor experience.

Prior to joining Safeguard, Steve was a senior technical architect and development manager at First American Title Insurance, a publicly held title insurance provider based in southern California, in addition to managing and developing applications in multiple sectors from insurance to VOIP.

Steve has a bachelor’s degree from Kent State University in Ohio.