By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE newly relocated international lending firm, Bridge Capital LLC, announced yesterday that it can provide from $1 million to $100 million in loans to qualified firms and individuals.
John Baldwin, co-owner and manager of the company, said they relocated their headquarters from the U.S. Virgin Islands to Saipan because they believe that the CNMI will become the center of activities for their Asian clients.
He said their company specializes in real estate acquisition, development, financing and corporate lending.
“Though we primarily provide bridge financing, sometimes called hard money loans, we also provide an array of financial advisory services to assist our clients in corporate restructuring, project finance, and capital planning,” he said.
Bridge Capital opened its office in the Bank of Hawaii building in Puerto Rico on Jan. 2nd.
Baldwin, along with partner Shawn Scott, will be permanently stationed on Saipan.
Their other branches are in Macao and Thailand.
Yesterday, the company donated $31,000 to the Public School System and $18,000 to charity groups.
The following schools were provided $2,000 each: Marianas High, Kagman High, Saipan Southern High, Tinian High, Rota High, Chacha Oceanview, Hopwood Junior High, Tinian and Rota junior high.
Education Commissioner David M. Borja said the assistance will be used to procure instructional material for the schools.
Bridge Capital also provided $5,000 each to the Ben Fitial Foundation and the First Lady’s Vision; $4,000 each to the Division of Youth Services for its shelter program, Karidat’s Guma Esperansa, the Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers, the San Jose Church Parish Council; and $1,000 to Saipan Little League Baseball.
The company, in return, received certificates of appreciation from the recipients.
Bridge Capital is the company that bought the note for the La Fiesta Complex when it was purchase by the previous administration some three years ago.
The CNMI government, according to Baldwin, is making its yearly payments on the $2.8 million loan from Bridge Capital.
He said among their recent successful investments is the $25 million, 21-floor Ladera Tower on Guam.