Archives For: 2020

Mudslide Destroys Homes, Damages Infrastructure in Southeast Alaska

USA Today published a report detailing severe weather activity in portions of Alaska that has caused destructive mudslides.

2 Dec 2020

Winter Storm Bringing Wind-Driven Snow to Eastern Great Lakes, Appalachians

The Weather Channel issued a report outlining winter storm activity that has spread heavy snow/rain across multiple U.S. states.

30 Nov 2020

CFPB: Advisory Opinions Policy Finalized

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) issued its final Advisory Opinions Policy to publicly address regulatory uncertainty in its existing regulations and provide guidance to entities on outstanding regulatory uncertainty.

30 Nov 2020

CFPB: Executive Team Additions Announced

The CFPB announced several leadership position additions, including a new chief operating officer and chief information officer.

30 Nov 2020

HUD: FHA INFO #20-88: Extension of Temporary Guidance on the Endorsement of Mortgages Under Forbearance

HUD extended the period for mortgage forbearance provisions provided under the CARES Act. The extension allows mortgages to be endorsed for insurance when a borrower, after closing, has requested a forbearance due to the COVID-19 National Emergency.

27 Nov 2020

HUD: FHA INFO #20-87: Private Flood Insurance Proposed Rule in Federal Register

HUD published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (Acceptance of Private Flood Insurance for Federal Housing Administration-Insured Mortgages). The previously announced rule will provide the option for private flood insurance on FHA-insured single family mortgaged properties located in special flood hazard areas.

23 Nov 2020

MHA: Thanksgiving Holiday Support and System Availability

Making Home Affordable (MHA) outlined system availability for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.

18 Nov 2020

MReport: Top 30 Companies in Mortgage & Servicing

MReport has named Safeguard Properties to its 2020 list of top 30 companies in the mortgage and servicing industry.

16 Nov 2020

HUD: FHA INFO #20-84: 2020 Report to Congress

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its Annual Report to Congress on the financial status of the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund for fiscal year 2020.

13 Nov 2020

FHFA: Foreclosure Prevention Report – August 2020

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) issued its August 2020 Foreclosure Prevention, Refinance and FPM Report.

12 Nov 2020

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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