(a) The organizers shall solicit comments and protests by publishing notice of the application, its date of filing, and the identity of the organizers, in the form and frequency specified by the banking commissioner, in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the initial home office of the proposed state trust company is to be located, or in another publication or location as directed by the banking commissioner. The banking commissioner may require the organizers to publish the notice at other locations reasonably necessary to solicit the views of potentially affected persons.
(b) At the expense of the organizers, the banking commissioner shall thoroughly investigate the application and inquire fully into the identity and character of each proposed director, manager, officer, managing participant, and principal shareholder or participant. The banking commissioner shall prepare a written report of the investigation.

(c) Rules adopted under this subtitle may specify the confidential or nonconfidential character of information obtained or prepared by the department under this section. Except as provided by Subchapter D, Chapter 181, or in rules regarding confidential information, the business plan of the applicant and the financial statement of a proposed officer, director, manager, or managing participant are confidential and not subject to public disclosure.