LOCKPORT, N.Y., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FNFG), today announced that it will release 2009 fourth quarter earnings before the market opens on Thursday, January 21, 2010. A conference call will follow at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, in which management will discuss the Company's financial results and business strategy, followed by a question-and-answer session.

Those wishing to participate in the call may dial toll-free 1-877-709-8150. A replay of the call will be available until February 4, 2010 by dialing 1-877-660-6853, account #240, ID # 342420.

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, will have $19.3 billion in assets, 254 branches and $13.9 billion in deposits at the close of its acquisition of Harleysville National Corporation, which is expected in February 2010, subject to regulatory and Harleysville shareholder approval. First Niagara Bank is a community-oriented bank providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across Upstate New York and Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.fnfg.com.

SOURCE First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.