Texas National Bank in Mercedes, Texas, is testing how alternative data can improve the speed and accuracy with which it lends to its small-business customers.

The regional firm, whose parent is the 10th largest bank in the world by market capitalization, is eager to pitch top advisors seeking stability. At the same time, it's ramping up a major branding campaign with Major League Soccer and Apple to woo next-generation clients.

The Dallas-based bank, whose shares have slumped 19% this year, laid off the staff last week, according to a spokesperson.

Headcount at the nation's second-largest bank has fallen by around 1,000 since the end of last month. More job reductions are in the works after noninterest expenses rose by 6% during the first quarter.

Startups were left reeling after SVB's failure. But there are challenges to serving young companies.

"Our leaders ... have to be visible on the floor, they must meet with clients, they need to teach and advise, and they should always be accessible for immediate feedback and impromptu meetings," the company's operating committee said in a memo to employees.

Minority depository institutions are well-placed to direct money from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund to high-impact projects in underserved communities.

The layoffs come as the fintech is still working to close the SPAC merger it announced in August 2021.

M&T Bank joins a Massachusetts fintech-focused hub; Republic Bancorp in Louisville, Kentucky, once again expands in the Cincinnati market; ChatGPT suffers a security lapse and more in this week's banking news roundup.