VA Circular 26-18-5: Department of Veterans Affairs Property Management and Servicing Contract

Investor Update
February 27, 2018

1. Purpose. This Circular provides details concerning operational matters related to VA’s Real Estate Owned (REO) and direct loan portfolio, also known as VA’s National Portfolio, performed by Vendor Resource Management (VRM) under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) REO and Portfolio Servicing Contract (RPSC).

2. Background. In connection with the termination of loans guaranteed by VA, servicers have the option to convey to VA the properties acquired at liquidation sales. VA manages these properties (known as REO) through disposition, which includes management, marketing, and disposition activities. VA has sold those acquired properties with seller financing, known as a Vendee loan, which required loan servicing by VA. In addition, VA has, from time to time, acquired or refunded VA-guaranteed loans from private servicers in order to modify the loans at terms beyond the capability of the private servicers so that Veteran borrowers will be able to retain their homes. These loans are known as repurchase loans (4600 or loans repurchased under 38 C.F.R. 36.4600) and refunded loans (loans acquired under 38 Code of Federal Regulations [C.F.R.] 36.4320), respectively. VA also makes direct loans to Native American Veterans on trust lands under the Native American Direct Loan (NADL) program. In aggregate, these four loan prducts are known as the National Portfolio. The servicing of the National Portfolio is one of the components that is outsourced to a private contractor under the RPSC contract. This contract was awarded to Vendor Resource Management (VRM) on June 1, 2017, with an effective date of July 1, 2017, for up to 10 years. This contract also includes the facilitation and management of United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) properties. Through this contract, VRM subcontracts the mortgage servicing of VA’s National Portfolio. Effective December 1, 2017, mortgage servicing will be subcontracted by VRM to BSI Financial Services.

3. Submission of Title Documents. Title documents for new properties conveyed to VA under 38 C.F.R. 36.4323 shall be emailed to title-va@vrmco.com. Documents must be provided no later than 60 days after the liquidation sale in most jurisdictions. VA previously provided advice concerning additional time for title submission in certain jurisdictions, and that advice remains in effect, as shown in the Title Documentation, Insurance and Timeframe Requirements link on the VA Loan Electronic Reporting Interface (VALERI) webpage (http://www.benefits.va.gov/HOMELOANS/servicers_valeri.asp).

4. Insurance on Conveyed Properties. VA regulation 38 C.F.R. 36.4323(d)(2) requires servicers to request endorsements on all insurance policies in force at termination, naming as an assured The Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Endorsement requests should be sent to insurance-va@vrmco.com. In addition, information about the insurance policy should appear in the Transfer of Custody (TOC) event submitted in VALERI. Servicers should include endorsements with the title packages on properties conveyed to VA, or, if endorsements are received after title packages have already been submitted, they may be identified with the VA loan identification number (VA LIN) and sent to VRM at the email address in this paragraph. Notices of cancellation on homeowners or force-placed policies will be handled in a similar manner. If insurers cancel policies, servicers must properly account for any unearned premiums refunded by the insurer.

5. Purchasing VA REO. VRM is responsible for the disposition of VA REO. VA REO inventory can be found at https://listings.vrmco.com/.

6. Submission of NADL, Repurchase (4600), and Vendee Custodial Documents by the VA Regional Loan Centers (RLCs) for all National Portfolio Loans. VRM is responsible for maintaining the custodial file for all National Portfolio Loans in accordance with VA’s Records Control Schedule. Documents typically found in the custodial file include, but is not limited to, the following: Note, Deed/Mortgage, Modification Agreements, origination documents, closing documents, Assignments, as applicable. RLCs shall ship all documents within 90 days of loan boarding to BSI Financial Services, Attn: Collateral Department (VRM), 314 South Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Titusville, PA 16354. Applicable custodial documents will be inventoried by the RLC, and organized in a loan file in the proper stacking order listed in the table titled Exhibit A, Shipment of Custodial Documents, followed by any other documents that can be obtained. RLCs must email shipment tracking information and provide a list of documents included in the shipm nt to va-docs@vrmco.com prior to shipment. The email should include identifying information such as borrower name and loan identification number. RLCs must notify VRM using this email address when unable to ship the files within 120 days of loan boarding, and every 30 days thereafter, providing status and justification for the delay.

7. Submission of Refunded Custodial Documents by VA Servicers to the RLCs and from the RLCs to BSI Financial. Servicers are required to submit the original Refund Custodial documents to the RLCs within 60 days of refund approval. At that time, VA requires services to also submit an electronic copy of the documents, in pdf format, for timely and efficient loan boarding. Documents typically found in the custodial file include, but is not limited to the following: Note, Deed/Mortgage, Modification Agreements, origination documents, closing documents, assignments, as applicable. Upon receipt, custodial documents will be inventoried by the RLC and organized in a loan file in the proper stacking order listed in the table titled Exhibit A, Shipment of Custodial Documents, followed by any other documents that can be obtained. RLCs will then ship the loan file with original documents to BSI Financial Services Attn: Collateral Department (VRM), 314 South Franklin Street, 2nd Floor, Titusville, PA 16354. RLCs must email shipment tracking information and provide a list of documents included in the shipment to va-docs@vrmco.com prior to shipment. The email should include identifying information such as borrower name and loan identification
number.

8. Concerning the boarding of NADL, Refunded, and Repurchased Loans. Prior to approving a NADL, Refunded or Repurchased loan, RLCs must collect the requisite custodial documents. These documents are used to validate the setup sheet that is manually completed by the RLCs. Upon receipt, documents will be inventoried by the RLC and uploaded to the Contract Assurance SharePoint site at https://vaww.portal2.va.gov/sites/Loan%20Guaranty%20Service/oversight/PLOU/Boarding/Forms/AllItems.aspx. Contract Assurance will validate receipt of required documentation so the loan can be boarded. The setup sheet will be accompanied by an electronic custodial file. Any setup sheet not accompanied by a complete electronic custodial file, or found to be incomplete or determined unacceptable, will not be forwarded to ALAC for boarding and will be returned by Contract Assurance to the RLC for immediate action/follow up. See Exhibit B, Electronic Version of Custodial Documents, for a list of required documents needed for boarding.

9. Insurance on 4600 and Refunded Loans. Insurance policies on loans refunded (acquired) or repurchased by VA will be endorsed to The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, c/o BSI Financial Services ISAOA/ATIMA, PO BOX 961260, Fort Worth, TX 76161. Copies of letters requesting endorsement may be included with the title packages sent to the VA Loan Technician (refunded loans) or the St. Paul RLC (4600 loans).

10. Reconveyance Implications. VA presently pays for a property upon acceptance of the Transfer of Custody (TOC) event in VALERI and then waits for acceptable title documents to be provided. Since holders should be able to verify the validity of sales prior to conveyance, upon reconveyance of a property, VA will demand reimbursement of the amount paid for the property and all expenses incurred while the property was in VA’s custody. This policy will continue with little variation. VA incurs expenses and fees, known as a Management and Marketing Fee (MMF) and a Property Preservation Fee (PPF), as soon as a conveyance is accepted in VALERI. Those expenses will gradually increase over time, as provided in Appendix A. Holders should be prepared to reimburse VA for the fees provided in the table below, any expenses incurred and the amount paid for conveyance of the property. The longer the time until an erroneous conveyance is discovered, or it is determined that acceptable title documents cannot be provided or d emed unacceptable, then the more likely that additional expenses will incurred and owed to VA. When a Bill of Collection is not paid promptly, the amount due will be offset from a future payment, including, but not limited to claims, acquisition and/or incentive payments.

11. Concerning Vendee Mortgage Trust (VMT) Securitized Loans. VRM does not provide servicing of VMT loans. All VMT loan-level questions, including Assignment of Mortgage, Lost Note Affidavit, chain of title matters, etc., should be directed to VendeeResearch@carringtonms.com.

12. Application to become a VRM partner. VRM directly hires subcontractors including, but not limited to, property inspectors, appraisers, property managers, home repair contractors, attorneys, among other professions to fully satisfy RPSC contractual requirements. To learn more about becoming a VRM subcontractor, and to submit an application, please visit http://www.vrmco.com/join-our-network/. Questions concerning VRM subcontracting can be emailed to VRM at VRM-supplier@vrmco.com.

13. Questions. REO questions may be directed to pm.vbaco@va.gov. Loan servicing questions may be directed to nashpm.vbaco@va.gov.

14. Rescission: Circular 26-17-38 is rescinded immediately. This Circular is rescinded April 1, 2020.

By Direction of the Under Secretary for Benefits

Jeffrey F. London Director
Loan Guaranty Service

Source: VA

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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