<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 6, 2009</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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<TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD nowrap align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>000-23975
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>42-1556195</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Commission File Number)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD align="center" valign="top"><B><BR>
6950 South Transit Road, P.O. Box 514, Lockport, NY
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>&nbsp;<BR>14095-0514</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(716) 625-7500</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Not Applicable</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><FONT style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: </DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio --> </DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;1.01. </B><U><B>Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement</B></U>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Purchase and Assumption Agreement</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">On
April&nbsp;6, 2009, First Niagara Bank (the &#147;Bank&#148;), the wholly owned subsidiary of First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;), entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement to
acquire approximately $4.2&nbsp;billion of deposits and 57 western Pennsylvania bank branches from National City Bank
(&#147;National City&#148;), a subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (&#147;PNC&#148;), for a deposit
premium of 1.3% (the &#147;Branch Acquisition&#148;). In addition to
$3.2&nbsp;billion in cash, the Bank will
also receive approximately $839&nbsp;million of performing branch-based business and consumer loans. The Bank
anticipates that approximately 500 employees in western Pennsylvania, most of whom work in the
branches to be acquired, will join the Bank. The sale of the branches by National City is a result
of divestiture requirements imposed in connection with the acquisition of National City Corporation
by PNC. The transaction, which is expected to close in September of this year, has received
approvals from the Bank&#146;s and National City&#146;s Boards of Directors. The acquisition by the Bank remains subject to
regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The foregoing description of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase and Assumption Agreement,
which is filed as Exhibit&nbsp;2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated into this
report by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Securities Purchase Agreement</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">On
April&nbsp;6, 2009, and in connection with the Branch Acquisition, the Company also entered
into a Securities Purchase Agreement with PNC and National City providing the Company with the
option to issue a combination of up to $150&nbsp;million of Company common stock and notes to PNC and
National City, respectively. Under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, and
concurrently with the Closing of the Branch Acquisition: (i)&nbsp;the Company may elect to sell to PNC,
and if it so elects PNC is obligated to purchase, up to 6,818,182 shares of Company common stock,
not to exceed an aggregate purchase price of $75&nbsp;million; and (ii)&nbsp;the Company may elect to sell to
National City, and if it so elects National City is obligated to purchase, up to $150&nbsp;million (less
the amount of common stock sold to PNC) of 12% Senior Notes due 2014, which notes are redeemable in
whole or in part prior to maturity.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The foregoing description of the Securities Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase Agreement, which is filed
as Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated into this report by
reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">A press release announcing these transactions is attached as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K.
</DIV>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->2<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01 </B><U><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits</B></U>
</DIV>


<DIV style="margin-top: 10pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(a)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(b)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pro Forma Financial Information. Not Applicable</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(c)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Shell Company Transactions: Not Applicable</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 8pt">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR> <TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="8%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">(d)</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Exhibits.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

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<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">2.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of
April&nbsp;6, 2009, by and among National City Bank, First Niagara Bank
and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., solely with respect to
Section&nbsp;5.16, 7.10 and 9.1(d)*</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April&nbsp;6, 2009, by and among The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.,
National City Bank and First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Press
Release dated April&nbsp;7, 2009</DIV></TD>
</TR>


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</DIV>




<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Schedules and exhibits have been omitted
pursuant to Item&nbsp;601(b)(2) of Regulation&nbsp;S-K.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->3<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">





<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">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.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">DATE: April&nbsp;6, 2009&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Michael W. Harrington&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Michael W. Harrington&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Chief Financial Officer<br>
(Duly authorized representative)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->4<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">
<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B></DIV>
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Exhibit No.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Description</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">2.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of
April&nbsp;6, 2009, by and among National City Bank, First Niagara Bank
and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., solely with respect to
Section&nbsp;5.16, 7.10 and 9.1(d)*</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April&nbsp;6, 2009, by and among The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.,
National City Bank and First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">99.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>

<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Press Release dated April&nbsp;7, 2009</DIV></TD>
</TR>




<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>




<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR style="font-size: 6pt">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="96">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Schedules and exhibits have been omitted
pursuant to Item&nbsp;601(b)(2) of Regulation&nbsp;S-K.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



</BODY>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP INC", "cik": "0001051741", "assigned-sic": "6036", "irs-number": "161545669", "state-of-incorporation": "DE", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-23975", "film-number": "09736373"}, "business-address": {"street1": "6950 SOUTH TRANSIT ROAD", "street2": "PO BOX 514", "city": "LOCKPORT", "state": "NY", "zip": "14095", "phone": "7166257500"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "6950 SOUTH TRANSIT ROAD", "street2": "PO BOX 514", "city": "LOCKPORT", "state": "NY", "zip": "14095"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "NIAGARA BANCORP INC", "date-changed": "19971218"}}
Form 8-K
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): April 6, 2009
FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
000-23975
42-1556195
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
6950 South Transit Road, P.O. Box 514, Lockport, NY
14095-0514
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(716) 625-7500
Not Applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01.
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Purchase and Assumption Agreement
On
April 6, 2009, First Niagara Bank (the "Bank"), the wholly owned subsidiary of First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company"), entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement to
acquire approximately $4.2 billion of deposits and 57 western Pennsylvania bank branches from National City Bank
("National City"), a subsidiary of The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. ("PNC"), for a deposit
premium of 1.3% (the "Branch Acquisition"). In addition to
$3.2 billion in cash, the Bank will
also receive approximately $839 million of performing branch-based business and consumer loans. The Bank
anticipates that approximately 500 employees in western Pennsylvania, most of whom work in the
branches to be acquired, will join the Bank. The sale of the branches by National City is a result
of divestiture requirements imposed in connection with the acquisition of National City Corporation
by PNC. The transaction, which is expected to close in September of this year, has received
approvals from the Bank's and National City's Boards of Directors. The acquisition by the Bank remains subject to
regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
The foregoing description of the Purchase and Assumption Agreement does not purport to be
complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase and Assumption Agreement,
which is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated into this
report by reference.
Securities Purchase Agreement
On
April 6, 2009, and in connection with the Branch Acquisition, the Company also entered
into a Securities Purchase Agreement with PNC and National City providing the Company with the
option to issue a combination of up to $150 million of Company common stock and notes to PNC and
National City, respectively. Under the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement, and
concurrently with the Closing of the Branch Acquisition: (i) the Company may elect to sell to PNC,
and if it so elects PNC is obligated to purchase, up to 6,818,182 shares of Company common stock,
not to exceed an aggregate purchase price of $75 million; and (ii) the Company may elect to sell to
National City, and if it so elects National City is obligated to purchase, up to $150 million (less
the amount of common stock sold to PNC) of 12% Senior Notes due 2014, which notes are redeemable in
whole or in part prior to maturity.
The foregoing description of the Securities Purchase Agreement does not purport to be complete
and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Securities Purchase Agreement, which is filed
as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and is incorporated into this report by
reference.
A press release announcing these transactions is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current
Report on Form 8-K.
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Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
(a)
Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable
(b)
Pro Forma Financial Information. Not Applicable
(c)
Shell Company Transactions: Not Applicable
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1
Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of
April 6, 2009, by and among National City Bank, First Niagara Bank
and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., solely with respect to
Section 5.16, 7.10 and 9.1(d)*
10.1
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April 6, 2009, by and among The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.,
National City Bank and First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
99.1
Press
Release dated April 7, 2009
*
Schedules and exhibits have been omitted
pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.
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SIGNATURES
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: April 6, 2009
By:
/s/ Michael W. Harrington
Michael W. Harrington
Chief Financial Officer
(Duly authorized representative)
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
2.1
Purchase and Assumption Agreement dated as of
April 6, 2009, by and among National City Bank, First Niagara Bank
and The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc., solely with respect to
Section 5.16, 7.10 and 9.1(d)*
10.1
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of
April 6, 2009, by and among The PNC Financial Services Group, Inc.,
National City Bank and First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
99.1
Press Release dated April 7, 2009
*
Schedules and exhibits have been omitted
pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K.
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