BUFFALO, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq:FNFG) today announced that President and Chief Executive Officer John R. Koelmel will present at the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Banking and Financial Services Conference at approximately 11:20 a.m. EST on Tuesday, November 13^th. First Niagara Chief Financial Officer, Gregory W. Norwood, will be available during the course of the day for one-on-one investor meetings. Mr. Koelmel's 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 with approximately 430 branches, approximately $36 billion in assets, $28 billion in deposits, and approximately 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