New York

WorldRemit has launched international remittance services in New York, one of the last big U.S. markets where it lacked a money transmitter license, positioning the company for a growth surge this year.

The company will still use the building for its main office, but it will move its administrative staff to another building.

Former banker Eric Hepkins will take over from Ann Hood Feb. 28, the $422 million credit union reported.

The company, which has been actively curbing growth to avoid becoming a systemically important financial institution, reported lower loan balances and reduced fee income after exiting the residential wholesale mortgage business.

The results included a $222 million goodwill impairment charge and other one-time items.

Meta Financial expects to originate $500 million to $1 billion in personal loans as part of a three-year partnership with Liberty Lending in New York.

The online vehicle-buying program has added 250 credit union partners since 2015.

The New York company recorded more than $130 million of expenses tied to its October purchase of Astoria Financial.

The New York multifamily lender is making steady progress in a multiyear effort to reduce its dependency on commercial real estate.

While Starbucks is making a tentative move into cash refusal at one location, it's unlikely any retailer would widely refuse cash payments in the near term.