Crossword Genius

Reportedly a sum lent independently (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

alone

'independently' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for alone that I've seen before include "Without friends" , "without partner?" , "Lacking company, solitary" , "Isolated from others" , "Exclusively, by oneself" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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