Condo underwriter - mortgage - remote

Did you know that Zions Bancorporation is one of the nation’s premier financial services companies with total assets exceeding $70 billion? With local management teams at the helm in 11 western states, Zions is dedicated to making a difference in their local communities. At Zions, we haven’t forgotten who keeps us in business, meaning we’re committed to the success of our customers, and our employees. Here, the possibilities are endless – come for a job, stay for a career. This is a remote position within the Zions Bancorporation footprint.

Position Summary

The Condo Underwriter is responsible for the end-to-end evaluation, approval, and management of condominium project eligibility for residential mortgage lending. This specialized role serves as the organization's primary subject matter expert for condominium project reviews and owns the complete condominium eligibility process from initial project research through final project approval, documentation, and certification.

The Condo Underwriter evaluates condominium projects and related collateral risks to determine whether units within a project are eligible for mortgage financing under applicable agency, investor, and portfolio requirements. Responsibilities include project review, insurance analysis, eligibility issue resolution, certifications, condition management, and maintenance of project approval records.

Key Responsibilities

Condominium Project Eligibility & Insurance Review

• Research condominium projects to identify existing approvals, prior reviews, restrictions, and eligibility concerns.
• Determine whether an existing approval may be used or whether a new project review is required.
• Review project documentation and insurance coverage to determine eligibility under applicable agency, investor, portfolio, and internal requirements.
• Evaluate project ownership, occupancy, financial, legal, governance, insurance, and other collateral-related risk factors.
• Identify documentation deficiencies, conditions, restrictions, and eligibility concerns.
• Document project decisions and supporting analysis.

Eligibility Issues, Certifications & Condition Management

• Research and analyze complex project eligibility issues, exceptions, and escalations.
• Develop recommendations and support management decision-making regarding project eligibility.
• Complete applicable Condo Project Advisor, Condo Project Manager, and other project certifications.
• Establish, monitor, and clear project-related conditions.
• Maintain accurate project approval records, supporting documentation, and system updates.

Subject Matter Expertise & Program Support

• Develop and maintain condominium review procedures, checklists, job aids, training materials, and decision tools.
• Provide condominium eligibility guidance and support to Sales, Fulfilment, Underwriting, and Management.
• Support quality, consistency, and continuous improvement of condominium review processes.
• Maintain project databases and reporting related to approvals, restrictions, volume, and trends.

Systems & Process Improvement

• Support condominium-related workflow enhancements, process improvements, and technology initiatives.
• Assist with business requirements for Encompass and other condominium review systems.
• Identify opportunities to improve turnaround times, efficiency, controls, consistency, and scalability of the condominium lending program.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in condominium project review, performing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac condominium project reviews.
• Strong knowledge of condominium project eligibility requirements, mortgage lending guidelines, and applicable agency, investor, portfolio, and internal condominium project standards.
• Experience reviewing and analyzing condominium association budgets, financial statements, reserve studies, insurance policies, governing documents, and other complex legal, financial, insurance, and governance documentation to determine project eligibility and risk.
• Experience with Encompass, Condo Project Advisor, Condo Project Manager, and similar condominium review platforms.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to independently manage a workload while maintaining quality and accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing FHA and VA condominium project reviews.

Benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance - START DAY ONE!
• Life and Disability Insurance, Paid Parental Leave and Adoption Assistance
• Salary Range: $36.05 hr. to $43.25 hr. ($75K to $90K) depending on experience
• Health Savings (HSA), Flexible Spending (FSA) and dependent care accounts
• Paid Training, Paid Time Off (PTO) and 11 Paid Federal Holidays
• 401(k) plan with company match, Profit Sharing, competitive compensation in line with work experience
• Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
• Tuition Reimbursement for qualifying employees
• Employee Ambassador preferred banking products
• Employees may, at the company’s discretion, be eligible to receive a cash bonus award