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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) September 18, 2002
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FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware 0-23975 16-1545669
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(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission file No.) (I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)
6950 South Transit Road, P.O. Box 514, Lockport, New York 14095-0514
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (716) 625-7500
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Not Applicable
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(Former name or former address if changed since last report)
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Items 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9: Not Applicable.
Item 5. Other Events
On September 18, 2002, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the
"Company") issued a press release reporting that it filed a registration
statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to an
offering of common stock in connection with the Company's previously announced
intent to conduct a "second-step" conversion. The Company also announced that it
is filing an application with the Office of Thrift Supervision for approval of a
Plan of Conversion, as well as for the previously announced agreement to acquire
Finger Lakes Bancorp, Inc. A copy of the press release is filed as exhibit 99.1
to this report.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number Description
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99.1 Press release dated September 18, 2002.
SIGNATURE
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.
FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By: /s/ Paul J. Kolkmeyer
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Paul J. Kolkmeyer
Executive Vice President,
Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized representative)
Dated: September 18, 2002