Crossword Genius

Willing to defer loan by letter (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

submissive

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'willing' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'defer loan by letter' is the wordplay.
'defer loan by' becomes 'sub' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'letter' becomes 'missive' (synonyms).
'sub'+'missive'='SUBMISSIVE'

'to' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for submissive that I've seen before include "tendering resignation?" , "Meekly obedient" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times and The Sunday Times.
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