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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#G26903toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;&#95;
</DIV>


<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>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: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

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


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></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">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>42-1556195</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">or organization)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>726 Exchange Street, Suite&nbsp;618<BR>
Buffalo, NY 14210</B><BR>
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan<BR>
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended and Restated<BR>
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan<BR>
NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan</B><BR>
(Full Title of the Plans)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 1pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Mr.&nbsp;John R. Koelmel<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.<BR>
726 Exchange Street, Suite&nbsp;618<BR>
Buffalo, NY 14210<BR>
(716)&nbsp;819-5500</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large accelerated
filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
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    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Large accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Non-accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Smaller reporting company <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</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="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="54%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of Securities</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed Maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Aggregate</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>to be Registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price Per Share</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Offering Price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Registration Fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">8,085,907</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">12.88 </TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(2)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">104,146,482 </TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(3)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">12,091.41</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">11,780</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">13.81 </TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(4)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">162,682 </TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(5)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">18.89</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">12,617</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">13.81 </TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(4)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">174,241 </TD>
    <TD nowrap style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">(6)</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">20.23</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:30px; text-indent:-15px">TOTAL</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">8,110,304</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">12.88</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">104,483,805</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 2px solid #000000; border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">12,130.53</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 2px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

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</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 6pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Together with an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be necessary to
adjust the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the NewAlliance Bancshares,
Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan (&#147;Plan&#148;), the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee
Stock Ownership Plan Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the
NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding
common stock of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section
230.416(a). In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration also covers an indeterminate amount of plan interests to be offered or sold
pursuant to the employee benefit plans described herein.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Determined by the exercise price of stock options pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section
230.457(h)(1).</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Represents the maximum aggregate offering price based on the exercise price per share
and the number of outstanding exercisable stock options issued and outstanding under the
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(4)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Determined based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on April&nbsp;21, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(5)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Represents the maximum aggregate offering price based on the number of which will
become deliverable under the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan in conjunction with the closing
of the transaction between First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. and NewAlliance Bancshares,
Inc. and the closing price of a share of Common Stock on April&nbsp;21, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(6)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Represents the maximum aggregate offering price based on the number of which will
become deliverable under the NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan in conjunction with the closing of the transaction between First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc. and NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. and the closing price of a
share of Common Stock on April&nbsp;21, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<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 -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- TOC -->
<A name="G26903toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
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	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#G26903000">PART I</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903001">ITEMS 1 and 2. Plan Information and Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#G26903002">PART II</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903003">ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903004">ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903005">ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903006">ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903007">ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903008">ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#G26903009">ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#G26903010">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#G26903011">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g26903exv10w1.htm">EX-10.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g26903exv10w2.htm">EX-10.2</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g26903exv10w3.htm">EX-10.3</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g26903exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="g26903exv23w2.htm">EX-23.2</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#G26903toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>




<!-- link1 "PART I" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART I</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS</B>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEMS 1 and 2. Plan Information and Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903001"></A></DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>ITEMS 1 and 2. </B>Plan Information and Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The documents containing the information specified in Part&nbsp;I and II of Form S-8 have been or
will be sent or given to participants in the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term
Compensation Plan (the &#147;Plan&#148;) and the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the NewAlliance Bank Amended and
Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (together with the NewAlliance
Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan, the &#147;SERPs&#148;), as specified by Rule&nbsp;428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the &#147;Commission&#148;) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
&#147;Securities Act&#148;).
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Such documents are not being filed with the Commission, but constitute (along with the
documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item&nbsp;3 of Part&nbsp;II
hereof) a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
</DIV>
<!-- link1 "PART II" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>PART II</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="Center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT</B>
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The rules of the Commission allow First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148; or the
&#147;Registrant&#148;) to &#147;incorporate by reference&#148; information into this Registration Statement. The
Registrant incorporates herein by reference the following documents, which have been filed by the
Registrant with the Commission:
</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="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">1.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Company&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010
(Commission File No.&nbsp;000-23975), filed with the Commission on March&nbsp;1, 2011;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">2.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the &#147;Exchange Act&#148;) since the
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K referred to in (1)
above;</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">3.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The description of the Company&#146;s common stock contained in the Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on January&nbsp;15, 2003 (Commission File
No.&nbsp;000-23975); and</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
    <TD width="2%" style="background: transparent">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%" nowrap align="left">4.</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>The Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Company contained in the
Registration Statement on Form S-1, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September&nbsp;18, 2002.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date hereof, and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into
this Registration Statement and to be a part thereof from the date of the filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference
herein or therein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement and the prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any
other subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference
herein or therein modifies or
</DIV>

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

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement and the
prospectus.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All information appearing in this Registration Statement and the prospectus is qualified in
its entirety by the detailed information, including financial statements, appearing in the
documents incorporated herein or therein by reference.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903004"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903005"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;None.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903006"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;TENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company sets forth circumstances
under which directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company may be insured or indemnified
against liability which they incur in their capacities as such:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;TENTH:
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A.&nbsp;Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (hereinafter a &#147;proceeding&#148;), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
Director or an Officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as
a Director, Officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter
an &#147;indemnitee&#148;), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official
capacity as a Director, Officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a
Director, Officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to
the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such
amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law
permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense,
liability and loss (including attorneys&#146; fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such
indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section&nbsp;C
hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the
Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;B.&nbsp;The right to indemnification conferred in Section&nbsp;A of this Article&nbsp;TENTH shall include
the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such
proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an &#147;advancement of expenses&#148;);
provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of
expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a Director or Officer (and not in any
other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including,
without limitation, services to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the
Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an &#147;undertaking&#148;), by or on behalf of such
indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final
judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a &#147;final
adjudication&#148;) that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under
this Section or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
conferred in Sections&nbsp;A and B of this Article&nbsp;TENTH shall be contract rights and such
rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a Director, Officer, employee
or agent
</DIV>

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

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee&#146;s heirs, executors and administrators.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;C.&nbsp;If a claim under Section&nbsp;A or B of this Article&nbsp;TENTH is not paid in full by the
Corporation within sixty (60)&nbsp;days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation,
except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period
shall be twenty (20)&nbsp;days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the
Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any
such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant
to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expenses of
prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i)&nbsp;any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right
to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to
an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii)&nbsp;in any suit by the Corporation to
recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation
shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not
met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit
that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has
met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an
actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any
suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of
expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article&nbsp;TENTH or otherwise, shall be on
the Corporation.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;D.&nbsp;The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this
Article&nbsp;TENTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, the Corporation&#146;s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote
of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;E.&nbsp;The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss
under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;F.&nbsp;The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors,
grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the
Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article&nbsp;TENTH with respect to the
indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903007"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Not applicable.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "ITEM 8. EXHIBITS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903008"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 8. EXHIBITS</B>
</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="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Exhibit</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">10.1</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="88%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">Exhibit</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">10.2</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended
and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">10.3</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">23.1</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of KPMG LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">23.2</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="right">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top" align="right">24</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Power of Attorney (included in signature page)</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<!-- link2 "ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903009"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">(1)&nbsp;To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">(i)&nbsp;To include any prospectus required by Section&nbsp;10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">(ii)&nbsp;To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in
the information set forth in this Registration Statement;
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 4%">(iii)&nbsp;To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
such information in this Registration Statement;
</DIV>
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to
be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 or Section 15(d)
of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">(2)&nbsp;That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt; margin-left: 2%">(3)&nbsp;To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant&#146;s annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and each filing of an employee benefit plan&#146;s annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the
</DIV>

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

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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">
<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person
of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against
the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
</DIV>



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



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<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903010"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;THE REGISTRANT. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Buffalo,
New York, on this
25<SUP style="font-size: 85%; vertical-align: text-top">th</SUP> day
of April, 2011.
</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">FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>

<TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;John R. Koelmel</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Name:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">John R. Koelmel&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">Title:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer<br>
(Duly Authorized Representative)&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;We, the undersigned directors and officers of the Company, hereby severally constitute and
appoint John R. Koelmel as our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in
our names in the capacities indicated below which said John R. Koelmel may deem necessary or
advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the
registration of shares of common stock underlying the Plan or the SERPs, including
specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities
indicated below the registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said John R. Koelmel
shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
</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="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;John R. Koelmel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President and Chief Executive Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
John R. Koelmel
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Gregory W. Norwood</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chief Financial Officer</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Gregory W. Norwood
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>


<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
     <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;G. Thomas Bowers</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Chairman</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
G. Thomas Bowers
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
     <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;David M. Zebro</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Vice Chairman</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
David M. Zebro
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
         <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Thomas E. Baker
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Thomas E. Baker
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#G26903toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Date</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp; Roxanne J. Coady
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Roxanne J. Coady
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Carl A. Florio
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Carl A. Florio
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Carlton L. Highsmith</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Carlton L. Highsmith
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Barbara S. Jeremiah</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Barbara S. Jeremiah
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;William H. Jones</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
William H. Jones
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;George M. Philip</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
George M. Philip
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Peter B. Robinson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Peter B. Robinson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Louise Woerner</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Louise Woerner
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
/s/&nbsp;&nbsp;Nathaniel D. Woodson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">April 25, 2011</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px"><DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
Nathaniel D. Woodson
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#G26903toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="G26903011"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</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="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="93%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center">Exhibit</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Number</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended
and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">10.3
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of KPMG LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Power of Attorney (included in signature page)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


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

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</HTML>
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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": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-173726", "film-number": "11779358"}, "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"}}
sv8
Table of Contents
Registration No. 333-__________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Delaware
42-1556195
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
or organization)
726 Exchange Street, Suite 618
Buffalo, NY 14210
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended and Restated
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
(Full Title of the Plans)
Mr. John R. Koelmel
President and Chief Executive Officer
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
726 Exchange Street, Suite 618
Buffalo, NY 14210
(716) 819-5500
(Name, address and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a
non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated
filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
(Check one):
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Amount
Proposed Maximum
Title of Securities
to be
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Amount of
to be Registered
Registered (1)
Offering Price Per Share
Offering Price
Registration Fee
Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share
8,085,907
$
12.88
(2)
$
104,146,482
(3)
$
12,091.41
Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share
11,780
$
13.81
(4)
$
162,682
(5)
$
18.89
Common Stock, par
value $0.01 per share
12,617
$
13.81
(4)
$
174,241
(6)
$
20.23
TOTAL
8,110,304
$
12.88
$
104,483,805
$
12,130.53
(1)
Together with an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be necessary to
adjust the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the NewAlliance Bancshares,
Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan ("Plan"), the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee
Stock Ownership Plan Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the
NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding
common stock of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section
230.416(a). In addition, pursuant to Rule 416(c) under the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration also covers an indeterminate amount of plan interests to be offered or sold
pursuant to the employee benefit plans described herein.
(2)
Determined by the exercise price of stock options pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section
230.457(h)(1).
(3)
Represents the maximum aggregate offering price based on the exercise price per share
and the number of outstanding exercisable stock options issued and outstanding under the
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan.
(4)
Determined based on the closing price of a share of Common Stock on April 21, 2011.
(5)
Represents the maximum aggregate offering price based on the number of which will
become deliverable under the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan in conjunction with the closing
of the transaction between First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. and NewAlliance Bancshares,
Inc. and the closing price of a share of Common Stock on April 21, 2011.
(6)
Represents the maximum aggregate offering price based on the number of which will
become deliverable under the NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan in conjunction with the closing of the transaction between First
Niagara Financial Group, Inc. and NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. and the closing price of a
share of Common Stock on April 21, 2011.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
ITEMS 1 and 2. Plan Information and Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
PART II
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-10.1
EX-10.2
EX-10.3
EX-23.1
EX-23.2
Table of Contents
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS
ITEMS 1 and 2.
Plan Information and Registrant Information and Employee Plan Annual Information
The documents containing the information specified in Part I and II of Form S-8 have been or
will be sent or given to participants in the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term
Compensation Plan (the "Plan") and the NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the NewAlliance Bank Amended and
Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (together with the NewAlliance
Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive
Retirement Plan, the "SERPs"), as specified by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act").
Such documents are not being filed with the Commission, but constitute (along with the
documents incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement pursuant to Item 3 of Part II
hereof) a prospectus that meets the requirements of Section 10(a) of the Securities Act.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The rules of the Commission allow First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the "Company" or the
"Registrant") to "incorporate by reference" information into this Registration Statement. The
Registrant incorporates herein by reference the following documents, which have been filed by the
Registrant with the Commission:
1.
The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010
(Commission File No. 000-23975), filed with the Commission on March 1, 2011;
2.
All other reports filed by the Company pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") since the
financial statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K referred to in (1)
above;
3.
The description of the Company's common stock contained in the Registration
Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Commission on January 15, 2003 (Commission File
No. 000-23975); and
4.
The Form of Common Stock Certificate of the Company contained in the
Registration Statement on Form S-1, originally filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on September 18, 2002.
All documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, after the date hereof, and prior to the filing of a
post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which
deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into
this Registration Statement and to be a part thereof from the date of the filing of such documents.
Any statement contained in the documents incorporated, or deemed to be incorporated, by reference
herein or therein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration
Statement and the prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or therein or in any
other subsequently filed document which also is, or is deemed to be, incorporated by reference
herein or therein modifies or
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supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement and the
prospectus.
All information appearing in this Registration Statement and the prospectus is qualified in
its entirety by the detailed information, including financial statements, appearing in the
documents incorporated herein or therein by reference.
ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Not applicable.
ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL
None.
ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Article TENTH of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company sets forth circumstances
under which directors, officers, employees and agents of the Company may be insured or indemnified
against liability which they incur in their capacities as such:
TENTH:
A. Each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is
otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative (hereinafter a "proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a
Director or an Officer of the Corporation or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as
a Director, Officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to an employee benefit plan (hereinafter
an "indemnitee"), whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action in an official
capacity as a Director, Officer, employee or agent or in any other capacity while serving as a
Director, Officer, employee or agent, shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to
the fullest extent authorized by the Delaware General Corporation Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent that such
amendment permits the Corporation to provide broader indemnification rights than such law
permitted the Corporation to provide prior to such amendment), against all expense,
liability and loss (including attorneys' fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or
penalties and amounts paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by such
indemnitee in connection therewith; provided, however, that, except as provided in Section C
hereof with respect to proceedings to enforce rights to indemnification, the
Corporation shall indemnify any such indemnitee in connection with a proceeding (or part
thereof) initiated by such indemnitee only if such proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by
the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
B. The right to indemnification conferred in Section A of this Article TENTH shall include
the right to be paid by the Corporation the expenses incurred in defending any such
proceeding in advance of its final disposition (hereinafter an "advancement of expenses");
provided, however, that, if the Delaware General Corporation Law requires, an advancement of
expenses incurred by an indemnitee in his or her capacity as a Director or Officer (and not in any
other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including,
without limitation, services to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the
Corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter an "undertaking"), by or on behalf of such
indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final
judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal (hereinafter a "final
adjudication") that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under
this Section or otherwise. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses
conferred in Sections A and B of this Article TENTH shall be contract rights and such
rights shall continue as to an indemnitee who has ceased to be a Director, Officer, employee
or agent
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and shall inure to the benefit of the indemnitee's heirs, executors and administrators.
C. If a claim under Section A or B of this Article TENTH is not paid in full by the
Corporation within sixty (60) days after a written claim has been received by the Corporation,
except in the case of a claim for an advancement of expenses, in which case the applicable period
shall be twenty (20) days, the indemnitee may at any time thereafter bring suit against the
Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim. If successful in whole or in part in any
such suit, or in a suit brought by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant
to the terms of an undertaking, the indemnitee shall be entitled to be paid also the expenses of
prosecuting or defending such suit. In (i) any suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right
to indemnification hereunder (but not in a suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to
an advancement of expenses) it shall be a defense that, and (ii) in any suit by the Corporation to
recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the terms of an undertaking the Corporation
shall be entitled to recover such expenses upon a final adjudication that, the indemnitee has not
met any applicable standard for indemnification set forth in the Delaware General Corporation
Law. Neither the failure of the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such suit
that indemnification of the indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because the indemnitee has
met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an
actual determination by the Corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal
counsel, or its stockholders) that the indemnitee has not met such applicable standard of
conduct, shall create a presumption that the indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of
conduct or, in the case of such a suit brought by the indemnitee, be a defense to such suit. In any
suit brought by the indemnitee to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of
expenses hereunder, or by the Corporation to recover an advancement of expenses pursuant to the
terms of an undertaking, the burden of proving that the indemnitee is not entitled to be
indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this Article TENTH or otherwise, shall be on
the Corporation.
D. The rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses conferred in this
Article TENTH shall not be exclusive of any other right which any person may have or hereafter
acquire under any statute, the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote
of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.
E. The Corporation may maintain insurance, at its expense, to protect itself and any
Director, Officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or another corporation, partnership, joint
venture, trust or other enterprise against any expense, liability or loss, whether or not the
Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such expense, liability or loss
under the Delaware General Corporation Law.
F. The Corporation may, to the extent authorized from time to time by the Board of Directors,
grant rights to indemnification and to the advancement of expenses to any employee or agent of the
Corporation to the fullest extent of the provisions of this Article TENTH with respect to the
indemnification and advancement of expenses of directors and officers of the Corporation.
ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
10.1
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan
Table of Contents
Exhibit
Number
10.2
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended
and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
10.3
NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
24
Power of Attorney (included in signature page)
ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective
amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of
1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective
date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment
thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in
the information set forth in this Registration Statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution
not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to
such information in this Registration Statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to
be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports
filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d)
of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933,
each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities
being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability
under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section
13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual
report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the
foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such
liabilities (other than the
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payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person
of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against
the Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities
being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question
whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
THE REGISTRANT. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for
filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Buffalo,
New York, on this
25
th
day
of April, 2011.
FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
By:
/s/  John R. Koelmel
Name:
John R. Koelmel
Title:
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Duly Authorized Representative)
POWER OF ATTORNEY
We, the undersigned directors and officers of the Company, hereby severally constitute and
appoint John R. Koelmel as our true and lawful attorney and agent, to do any and all things in
our names in the capacities indicated below which said John R. Koelmel may deem necessary or
advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, and any rules,
regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the
registration of shares of common stock underlying the Plan or the SERPs, including
specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities
indicated below the registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said John R. Koelmel
shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on
Form S-8 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/  John R. Koelmel
President and Chief Executive Officer
April 25, 2011
John R. Koelmel
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/  Gregory W. Norwood
Chief Financial Officer
April 25, 2011
Gregory W. Norwood
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/  G. Thomas Bowers
Chairman
April 25, 2011
G. Thomas Bowers
/s/  David M. Zebro
Vice Chairman
April 25, 2011
David M. Zebro
/s/  Thomas E. Baker
Director
April 25, 2011
Thomas E. Baker
Table of Contents
Signature
Title
Date
/s/   Roxanne J. Coady
Director
April 25, 2011
Roxanne J. Coady
/s/  Carl A. Florio
Director
April 25, 2011
Carl A. Florio
/s/  Carlton L. Highsmith
Director
April 25, 2011
Carlton L. Highsmith
/s/  Barbara S. Jeremiah
Director
April 25, 2011
Barbara S. Jeremiah
/s/  William H. Jones
Director
April 25, 2011
William H. Jones
/s/  George M. Philip
Director
April 25, 2011
George M. Philip
/s/  Peter B. Robinson
Director
April 25, 2011
Peter B. Robinson
/s/  Louise Woerner
Director
April 25, 2011
Louise Woerner
/s/  Nathaniel D. Woodson
Director
April 25, 2011
Nathaniel D. Woodson
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
10.1
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Compensation Plan
10.2
NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. Employee Stock Ownership Plan Amended
and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
10.3
NewAlliance Bank Amended and Restated 401(k) Plan Supplemental
Executive Retirement Plan
23.1
Consent of KPMG LLP
23.2
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
24
Power of Attorney (included in signature page)