UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 31, 2004
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FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 000-23975 42-1556195
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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)
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:
|_| Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
|_| 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 8.01 Other Events
On August 31, 2004, First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company")
issued a press release disclosing that it has been authorized by its Board of
Directors to repurchase up to an additional 4.2 million (5%) of its outstanding
common stock, as part of its ongoing capital management program and that it
expects to complete its current 2.1 million program early in the fourth quarter
of this year. The Company also disclosed that due to regulatory restrictions, it
is restricted from repurchasing additional stock until late October. A copy of
the press release is filed as exhibit 99.1 to this report.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
Exhibit No. Description
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99.1 Press release dated August 31, 2004
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.
DATE: August 31, 2004 By: /s/ John R. Koelmel
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John R. Koelmel
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized representative)