Archives For: Federal Reserve

Fed Begins Inflation Hike with Key Rate Hike, More to Come

The Federal Reserve launched a high-risk effort Wednesday to tame the worst inflation since the early 1980s, raising its benchmark short-term interest rate and signaling up to six additional rate hikes this year.

16 Mar 2022

Fannie Mae Forecast Sees Fed Rate Increase in 2022; Offers Other Economic Predictions

Not surprisingly, inflation is a key forecast concern for the economy, according to the November 2021 commentary from the Fannie Mae Economic and Strategic Research (ESR) Group, which predicts the Federal Reserve will likely move to raise rates in 2022.

22 Nov 2021

Fed Tapering Starts Now, Markets Unfazed

The Federal Reserve this month will begin tapering the support it’s provided to mortgage rates during the pandemic, reducing its $120 billion in monthly purchases of mortgages and government debt over eight months.

3 Nov 2021

OCC: Federal and State Banking Agencies Issue Statement on Supervisory Practices Regarding Financial Institutions and Borrowers Affected by Hurricane Irma

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Conference of State Bank Supervisors, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued a joint release announcing the availability of regulatory assistance for institutions affected by Hurricane Irma.

6 Sep 2017

Feds Set Deadline to Claim Independent Foreclosure Review Relief Funds

HousingWire published an article discussing the time frame borrowers eligible for payment under the Independent Foreclosure Review Payment Agreements have to cash checks.

19 Nov 2015

Fannie Mae Expects Economy to ?Drag? Housing Toward Recovery in 2015

On January 22, DS News published an article discussing Fannie Mae’s 2015 Economic Outlook.

23 Jan 2015

Secrets of Federal Reserve Doomsday Book Leaking During Slow-Moving Trial

On October 13, The Wall Street Journal published an article titled Inside the Fed’s ‘Doomsday Book’.

15 Oct 2014

Federal Reserve Releases Report on Independent Foreclosure Review

On July 7, the Federal Reserve Board released a report regarding the Independent Foreclosure Review (IFR) and the Payment Agreement that replaced the IFR.

7 Jul 2014

Fannie Mae Releases Servicing Policy Updates

On March 12, Fannie Mae released two servicing policy updates and announced a redesign of its Servicing page.

18 Mar 2014

CA Congressman Goes on REO-to-Rental Warpath

On March 6, HousingWire published an article titled California Congressman Goes on REO-to-Rental Warpath.

7 Mar 2014

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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.

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