UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
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PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED): February 4, 2008
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FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware | 42-1556195 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
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6950 South Transit Road, P.O. Box 514, Lockport, NY | 14095-0514 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) |
(716) 625-7500
(Registrant’s telephone number)
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Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
| o | Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
| o | Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
| Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4 (c)) |
| Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
On February 4, 2008, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company for First Niagara Bank, issued a press release announcing that J. Lanier (“Lanny”) Little had been named Executive Vice President, Consumer Banking and a member of the Company’s Senior Leadership Team.
Mr. Little has over 35 years of banking experience, and will be responsible for the oversight of Consumer Banking operations, which includes retail branch banking, residential mortgage, consumer lending, municipal banking, and alternative delivery channel management.
Frank J. Polino, who had served as Interim Executive Vice President, Consumer Banking since June 2007, will remain a member of the Company’s Senior Leadership Team.
A copy of the press release is filed as exhibit 99.1 to this report.
| Item 9.01. | Financial Statements and Exhibits |
| (a) | Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable. |
| (b) | Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable. |
| (c) | Shell Company Transactions. Not applicable. |
| Exhibit No. | Description |
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| 99.1 | Press Release |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
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| | FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. |
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| DATE: February 4, 2008 | By: | /s/ Michael W. Harrington |
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Michael W. Harrington |
| | Chief Financial Officer (Duly authorized representative) |
