The region will take only a portion of that fund, Haberman tellsGlobeSt.com--but these deals will represent the first time thecompany has operated in this part of the country. A10 has wanted toexpand here due to the presence of the federal government andproperty values, which, though declined, are still in better shapethan the rest of the US. Other A10 offices are in Salt Lake City,Denver, Dallas and Seattle.

The $100 million is unlevered, with total purchasing power inthe "hundreds of millions", he says. "The durability of that moneyis good--we can regenerate quickly and we have other capitalsources with which we are working to increase the size of thefund."

A10 is a balance sheet lender and will retain--as well asservice--any loans it makes. It is seeking out "nearly bankable"loans in the office, retail and multifamily space. Typically theywill be $10 million and under with terms between 18 to 36 months,secured with a first deed of trust or a note in the case of a notepurchase, Haberman says. The company will also consider a mezzanineloan as a layer on top of an A rated note. "We are also activelyseeking loan opportunities from the mortgage brokerage community."Haberman currently has a half dozen deals in the initial stage ofreview.