What’s After HAMP? MBA Proposes Loan Modification Program

Investor Update
September 23, 2016

“One Mod: Principles for Post-HAMP Loan Modifications”

The Mortgage Bankers Association revealed a new program proposal on Friday that is designed to be successor program to the Home Affordable Modification Program, which is scheduled to wrap up at the end of this year.

The new program, “One Mod: Principles for Post-HAMP Loan Modifications,” draws upon the experiences of lenders familiar with HAMP to formulate universal principles that should be applied to a future program, the MBA stated in its announcement.

Through the program, eligible borrowers can receive at least a 20% payment reduction while also not having to undergo to the “excessive documentation requirements that have caused hardship for HAMP applicants.”

Both HAMP and the Home Affordable Refinance Program were originally launched in 2009 to provide relief to borrowers by lowering their monthly payments. Although both were set to expire on Dec. 31, 2013, both have since continuously moved around, with HAMP slated to end this year and HARP on Sept. 30, 2017.

Currently, the Federal Housing Finance Agency already created new refinance product that it is set to launch toward the end of 2017 that falls along the same lines as HARP, but there isn’t one for HAMP.

The Future of Loss Mitigation Task Force, a diverse MBA working group consisting of representatives from 20 member companies, developed this new proposal to try and fill the void when HAMP ends. The Task Force is co-chaired by Alex McGillis of Quicken Loans and Erik Schmitt of JPMorgan Chase.

“MBA’s task force recognizes that the industry, borrowers and investors need a successor to HAMP that is consistent and can be widely scaled,” said Pete Mills, senior vice president of residential policy and member services at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

“Application of the Task Force’s principles and the ‘One Modification’ or ‘One Mod’, will go a long way towards offering deep payment relief for struggling homeowners and a positive economic outcome for investors,” Mills continued. “We look forward to continued discussions with government agencies, the GSEs and other stakeholders about these principles and the proposal.”

According to the MBA, One Mod incorporates four guiding themes that drive successful loss mitigation programs: accessibility, affordability, sustainability and transparency. For more details from the MBA on the program check here.

 “The primary focus of this proposal is to provide a path that can help as many families as possible retain homeownership by improving the customer experience and providing deep and meaningful payment relief.  The One Mod program offers a simple and transparent solution to struggling homeowners in need of assistance,” said Erik Schmitt, product executive for mortgage banking at Chase.

Mike Malloy, vice president of Servicing for Quicken Loans, also commented on the news saying, “Developing One Mod was a tremendous collaborative effort by lenders and other stakeholders, big and small, to develop a simpler and more streamlined process that provides meaningful help to those who are under serious hardship.”

Source: HousingWire

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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