BUFFALO, N.Y., Feb. 26, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FNFG) today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer John R. Koelmel, Chief Banking Officer Daniel E. Cantara and Chief Financial Officer Gregory W. Norwood will present at the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods 2013 Boston Bank Conference at approximately 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, February 27^th. Mr. Cantara and Mr. Norwood will be available during the course of the day for one-on-one investor meetings. The 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 that currently has approximately $38 billion in assets, $29 billion in deposits, 430 branches and 6,000 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For more information, visit 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