BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FNFG) today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer John R. Koelmel will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Banking and Financial Services Conference at approximately 11:20 a.m. EST on Tuesday, November 13th. First Niagara Chief Financial Officer, Gregory W. Norwood, will be available during the course of the day for one-on-one investor meetings. Mr. Koelmel's presentation will be webcast live, and can be accessed within the investor relations section on the Company's website at www.firstniagara.com. The presentation will be archived for approximately 90 days following the event.

About First Niagara

First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 430 branches, approximately $36 billion in assets, $28 billion in deposits, and approximately 6,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.www.firstniagara.com.


CONTACT: First Niagara Contacts

         Investors:
         Ram Shankar
         Senior Vice President, Investor Relations
         (716) 270-8623
         ram.shankar@fnfg.com

         News Media:
         David Lanzillo
         Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications
         (716) 819-5780
         david.lanzillo@fnfg.com
Source: First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
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