Exhibit 23


                          Independent Auditors' Consent


The Compensation Committee of
    First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.:

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  Registration  Statement on
Form S-8 pertaining to the First Niagara  Financial Group,  Inc. 401(k) Plan, of
our independent  auditors' report dated June 12, 2002 relating to the statements
of net assets available for plan benefits of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
401(k) Plan as of  December  31, 2001 and 2000,  and the related  statements  of
changes in net assets  available for plan benefits for the years then ended, and
the schedule of assets held at end of year as of December 31, 2001, which report
is included in the Form 11-K of the First Niagara  Financial Group,  Inc. 401(k)
Plan.


                                  /s/ KPMG LLP

June 26, 2002
Buffalo, New York