One-woman business books $30 million a year in loans

A 6-year-old Millwood business called Commercial Lending Northwest Inc., which is owned and staffed by just one person, books an average of $30 million a year in loans.

The company, which often serves businesses that are struggling to repay bank loans,

typically has more than $20 million to lend out at any one time, says Margie Anderson, owner, president, CEO - and sole employee. Handling an equal division between bridge loans and conventional loans, Anderson describes her business as a "niche lender" and herself as busy, skilled in solving financial problems, and in love with her work.

"I'm buried, and I love it. Ill go to the moon and back to solve the problems of borrowers if the problems make sense," says the confident Anderson. "If it makes sense, I can do it." Following 18 years as a loan officer here for Washington Trust Bank and Bank of America, plus three years as a stay-at-home mom, Anderson launched Commercial Lending in 1998 in the Tapio Center at 104 S. Freya. Three years ago, she moved the business to the leased, 2,500-square-foot office space, where it now operates, at 3319 N. Argonne.