When It Matters Most: Supporting Marais and Dickinson Bar-B-Que Through Life’s Big Moments

For Keith and Holly Lilley, owners of Marais Restaurant and Dickinson Bar-B-Que, financial services are about more than transactions. They’re about trust, relationships, and having the right partner when it matters most.

The Lilleys have relied on Texas First for their business and personal financial needs for over 17 years. From insurance and banking to mortgages and financial guidance, they’ve discovered that what sets Texas First apart is a team that’s responsive, accessible, and genuinely invested in their success.

Watch Keith and Holly’s Story

A Trusted Partner During Hurricane Harvey

Insurance is one of those things you hope you’ll never need, but when disaster strikes, having the right coverage and the right people behind it makes all the difference.

That reality became clear during Hurricane Harvey in 2017, when floodwaters left Dickinson Bar-B-Que under four and a half feet of water. Faced with a devastating situation, Keith immediately began documenting the damage and sending photos directly to Craig Watt, his Texas First Insurance representative.

The response was immediate.

Before the weekend was over, the claim had already been submitted. By the start of the following week, the claim was confirmed, and within approximately one week, the Lilleys received a check for the full amount of their insurance coverage. “When big things like that happen, Hurricane Ike and those types of things, I tend to go around and check on all my customers personally,” said Watt. “I want to make sure everything’s taken care of and they’re getting the service they need.

Learn more about Texas First Insurance.*

Banking Built on Relationships

One of the biggest reasons the Lilleys have stayed with Texas First for nearly two decades is the personal relationship they’ve built with their team. “The people are loyal there,” Holly says. “They tend to stay there, so you develop a relationship. You’re comfortable, and they’re comfortable with you.”

That relationship-based approach has helped them navigate unexpected situations that are part of running a business. During one trip to Florida, the Lilleys learned they needed to complete a large wire transfer on short notice. Unsure how they would handle the situation from out of state, they called Banking Center Manager Daniel Sereni and their local Texas First team. The team quickly stepped in, worked through the issue, and helped them complete the transaction successfully.

For business owners, having a trusted partner just a phone call away can make all the difference.

Learn more about Texas First business banking.

One Financial Partner for Every Need

Over the years, Texas First has supported the Lilleys in many different areas of their financial lives. When they purchased property on the bayou, Texas First handled the mortgage process. According to Keith and Holly, the experience was simple, efficient, and hassle-free. Today, they continue to rely on Texas First for a wide range of services, including banking, insurance, and lending. All backed by people who know them personally.

“It’s pretty unique to find an organization that can do it all,” Keith says.

Learn more about Texas First mortgage y SBA lending.

The Texas First Difference

While Texas First has the resources and expertise of a full-service financial institution, the Lilleys say it never feels impersonal. “When I call the branch, they’re always helpful,” Holly says. “They never say, ‘We’ll transfer you’ or ‘You’ll hear from someone in three days.’ It’s immediate acknowledgement.”

For Keith and Holly, it’s the relationships. “They treat you like an intimate customer,” Keith says. “You know the people you’re dealing with. It’s 100% relationship-based.”

Whether you’re protecting your business with insurance, financing your next property, growing your savings, or looking for a trusted financial partner, Texas First is committed to delivering personalized service backed by real relationships.

Because at Texas First, our mission is: Helping Texans Build Texas.®

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