Crossword Genius

Maintain one putting money aside must suffer initial small loss (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

aver

'maintain' is the definition.
(averring is a kind of maintaining)

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

(Other definitions for aver that I've seen before include "State decisively" , "Declare or insist" , "State (to be the case)" , "'Affirm, assert (4)'" , "Formally state" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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