Community First

passionate about

CommuniTy FirsT aT FirsT niaGara

Strong communities are places where citizens have opportunities to learn, grow and achieve their dreams. At First Niagara, we’re collaborating with effective community partners, investing in the great work they do, and empowering them to do more for our communities. When our partners thrive and Do Great Things, we all benefit.

Our philanthropic giving focuses on supporting youth and Education, Community Development and neighborhood revitalization while addressing the unique conditions in each of our distinctive regions. These priority areas are relevant for us as a financial institution and clearly identified as urgent needs in the communities we serve across New York, Pennsylvania, and New England.

Our employees’ passion for our charitable initiatives reinforces the financial investment we’re able to make. A robust spirit of volunteerism among First Niagara teammates complements our corporate-wide efforts. Volunteer efforts with our community partners are at an all-time high and continue to grow as part of our corporate culture.

Everyone at First Niagara, from our employees to our customers, values the results produced when constituents pull together to make a community stronger, more vibrant, and alive with new possibilities. We are pleased to present this summary of our community commitment for 2012 and invite you to visit our website for more detail.

wanT To LEarn morE? Visit our website at https://www.firstniagara.com/Community

possibilities

2012 summary oF GivinG

possibilities18% – Community Redevelopment58% – Youth & Education

13% – Health & Human Service

11% – Arts & Culture

GIVING BY FOCUS AREA

HISTORICAL GIVING (CASH PAYMENTS)

20082009

20102011

2012

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

2012 REQUESTS AND APPROVALS

Number of Funding Requests Received in 2012 2,130

Total Number of Nonprofit Partners Supported 1,299

& Neighborhood Revitalization

$13,042,970

$9,938,464

$5,688,071

$2,677,846

$2,251,623

Community Grants $10,237,761

Community Sponsorships $2,805,209

TOTAL SUPPORT (cash) $13,042,970

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 1FoLLow us on TwiTTEr.

A full list of 2012 recipients can be found on our website at www.fi rstniagara.com.

steppinG

Employee Commitment & Volunteerism

An essential component of empowering our community to thrive is leveraging the time and talents of First Niagara’s 6,000+ employees.

To positively impact the vitality of the communities where we live and work, First Niagara teammates proudly provide professional

expertise and thousands of volunteer hours in service to hundreds of non-profit partners. Additionally, our Employee Volunteer Council

helps to raise both money and awareness for our non-profit partners and unifies teammates under the mission of giving back.

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 2

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HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR

EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT IN 2012

UNITED WAY GIVING

Employee Campaign $390,981

Corporate Match $400,000

Total $790,981

EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEER COUNCIL

Amount raised through jeans days $119,451.17

Number of events supported by EVC 130

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First Niagara is a longtime supporter of one of Central New York’s favorite summer festivals – TomatoFest, a fun-filled weekend event in Auburn that attracts 12,000 visitors per year, raising money and collecting canned goods to supply area food pantries. Each September, First Niagara teammates staff the fried green tomato booth, preparing and serving thousands of their specialty to enthusiastic festival goers. Proceeds from TomatoFest enable local food pantries to provide more than 10,000 meals to Cayuga County residents each year.

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First Niagara teammates volunteered at the 43rd annual Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner. The Equinox Dinner began in 1969, serving its first Thanksgiving dinner to 200 people. Today, this event serves and delivers dinner to more than 9,000 homebound or homeless people in the Greater Capital Region.

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First Niagara teammates from the Greater Manchester Area helped one of their very own customers with a major home improvement effort this spring through participation in the rebuilding Together project. This national “neighborhood helping neighbor” organization brings communities together to assist those in need of general home repair, with priority given to fixed, low-to-moderate-income families, elderly or disabled individuals.

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In Hudson Valley, the annual Rockland Day of Caring matched First Niagara volunteers with meals on wheels Programs & services of rockland inc., an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for aging Rockland County residents. More than a dozen First Niagara teammates participated in this special day.

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Hawaii was the theme, as First Niagara hosted an Aloha Summer Luau for patients and their families at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. The hospital’s atrium was transformed into a Hawaiian summer luau atmosphere featuring a Tiki hut and showcasing colorful decorations and backdrops. Patients had the opportunity to listen to music, dance, and take part in luau-themed crafts. A group of 14 teammates volunteered to help with various activities throughout the evening.

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First Niagara is a partner with Big Brothers Big sisters of southeastern Pennsylvania in its Beyond School Walls project. A successful mentoring program between First Niagara employees and elementary students from a neighboring school, the program provides 25 active employee-student “matches,” further empowering children to reach their highest potential through one-to-one mentoring relationships.

For more examples of our community commitment, visit our website at www.firstniagara.com.

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 3

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Talk about unparalleled team work! First Niagara volunteers embarked on the ancient sport of dragon boat racing, all for a great cause. The First Niagara “fearsome flyers” joined 30 other corporate and community groups from Western New York, other states and international locales to compete in the first annual Hope Chest Buffalo niagara Dragon Boat Festival. Proceeds benefited Hope Chest, a WNY not-for-profit agency that provides exercise classes, emotional support and paddling training for breast cancer survivors.

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First Niagara’s Rochester region fielded an impressive team of 38 members at the american Cancer society’s 2012 making strides against Breast Cancer event. The team raised nearly $2,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight the disease through breast cancer research, information and services, and access to mammograms for women who need them.

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empowerinG

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 4

First Niagara Community Support

At First Niagara, we believe that decisions are made most effectively at the local level. Therefore, each region in our footprint has a

Regional Philanthropic Committee that meets regularly to review each grant application that is received. The Regional Philanthropic

Committees regard each grant application with careful consideration, utilizing consistent methods and criteria to evaluate proposed

projects and initiatives. Funding decisions are made locally and based upon each Committee’s recommendations.tomorrow

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 5

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Dedicated to increasing graduation rates among students attending public and charter schools in the city of Buffalo, say yes Buffalo provides comprehensive support, including a locally funded college or vocational education, to enable every child the tools to achieve his or her potential. First Niagara, a lead angel donor, believes this worthy investment will ultimately assist thousands of Buffalo’s young people in achieving their dreams.

First Niagara donated more than $500,000 worth of computers and related equipment to Computers for Children. This substantial donation provides valuable resources for the agency and has fostered partnerships with Buffalo Public Schools, the Goodwill, City Mission and other organizations.

First Niagara invests annually in the Larkin Community Improvement Fund. This is an initiative of the old First ward Community association, which assists owner-occupied homeowners in the Larkin District (home to our corporate headquarters) with exterior home improvements. First Niagara and Larkin Development Group are lead supporters in this neighborhood revitalization project.

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CDs monarch’s ‘warrior salute Program’ receives frequent support from First Niagara. The progressive program provides comprehensive employment and clinical rehabilitation services for veterans diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder and traumatic brain injuries.

Pathstone Corporation received a grant from First Niagara to support aspiring low-to-moderate-income individuals and families in their dream to become homeowners. PathStone offers education, counseling, financing, grant assistance and post-purchase support to homeowners.

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First Niagara became a Corporate Compact Member of say yes syracuse this year with a donation to the program’s Scholarship Endowment Fund. Syracuse teammates are newly engaged volunteers with say yes, supporting mentoring and enrichment activities within the Syracuse City School District.

First Niagara proudly sponsored the museum of science & Technology’s (mosT) traveling Ice Age Mammoths & More Exhibit. Featuring roaring, robotic prehistoric mammals, the exhibit is stirring the imaginations of visitors to MOST.

First Niagara is committed to providing financial literacy programs throughout our communities. utica neighborhood Housing (unHs) neighborworks® Homeownership Center is among our partners in this area, providing important services to low-to-moderate-income families in Oneida, Herkimer and Madison counties.

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First Niagara is a passionate supporter of Junior achievement of northeastern ny. We provide board members and volunteer teachers while actively participating in the organization’s fundraisers. Additionally, JA of Northeastern NY recently received a grant through our Mentoring Matters program.

First Niagara supports the Literacy volunteers of america - Greater rensselaer County through “Everybody Wins!” – a national program that seeks to increase children’s prospects for success in school and life though one-to-one reading/mentoring. ENY teammates volunteer their time at local schools once a week during lunchtime.

First Niagara contributed to albany medical Center’s expansion project to ensure the Center can meet the growing demand for its services. The new, six-story ‘Patient Pavilion’ adds 325,000 square feet of new patient care space while renovating 46,000 square feet of existing space.

tomorrow“ ...your commitment to the arts in the

Hudson Valley region signifies the

important role the arts play in

improving the quality of life and in

building strong communities.”

– Janet Langsam, CEO,

ArtsWestchester, White Plains, N.Y.

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 6

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A First Niagara grant to the Connecticut science Center assisted in the creation of the Center’s newest permanent exhibit, the Robot Humanoid exhibit. The fun and educational exhibit features Quiz, a two-foot-tall robot programmed to interact with visitors and teach the science of robotics. The exhibit highlights the work of real-world inventors and engages youth in exciting science experiences, both of which may motivate them to become the next generation of inventors.

First Niagara provides generous support to the mass mentoring Partnership (mmP) and the Governor’s Prevention Partnership (CT) through our Mentoring Matters grant program. These exceptional mentoring programs provide a variety of services to area youth, from school-based mentoring and recruitment of mentors of color to financial literacy workshops for youth.

First Niagara partnered with manchester Community College, the Town of manchester, and the Downtown special services District to create MCC on Main, an exciting satellite campus. Through the donation of a facility and renovation funding, the college and town gained a new art gallery, classroom space and the economic vibrancy that results from additional student activity.

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First Niagara is busy establishing working partnerships in areas new to our footprint. Through a recent grant to the rockland Housing action Coalition, we’re supporting programs for more than 1,300 low-to-moderate-income individuals annually. Services emphasize the financial/technical skills clients need to rent, purchase and maintain a home, and guidance on creating action plans to manage various financial situations.

Historic Hudson valley (HHv) celebrates the history, architecture, landscape, and material culture of the Hudson Valley, advancing its importance and thereby assuring its preservation. First Niagara sponsored three popular HHV fall festivals in 2012, educating and entertaining an estimated 30,000 participants through the distinctive events.

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First Niagara is a partner with the northside Leadership Conference in a multi-year initiative to support the revitalization of the historic and culturally rich collection of Northside neighborhoods in Pittsburgh. The partnership supports revitalization initiatives with a substantial six-year investment.

First Niagara helped establish the meadville medical Center Dental Clinic, a facility dedicated to providing essential dental health services to low-income, underinsured and uninsured individuals and families in the Crawford County Region.

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First Niagara supports three regional mentoring providers, Big Brothers Big sisters southeastern Pa (BBBs sEPa), Big Brothers Big sisters Lehigh valley (BBBsLv), and Big Brothers Big sisters Bucks County (BBBsBC), benefiting more than 175 participants. The partnership includes the unique First Niagara/BBBS Beyond School Walls program, which matches First Niagara teammates with elementary students.

In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Chester County, First Niagara is funding homeownership opportunities for families in the city of Coatesville. The vigorous neighborhood revitalization effort features Habitat volunteers building 45 homes in the Cambria development in Coatesville. Each home will be sold to a qualified low-income family in need.

For details and a complete list of all grants, visit our website at www.firstniagara.com.

“ With First Niagara’s donation,

we can positively impact the lives

of our students by providing them

with consistent, one-on-one tutoring

for a six-week period during their

summer break.”

– Kirsten Levinsohn, Executive Director,

New Haven Reads, New Haven, Conn.

Mentoring Matters

Mentoring MattersSM is First Niagara’s signature charitable giving program that provides monetary and employee volunteer support

to exemplary mentoring organizations. Since 2007, First Niagara has provided $4.25 million in financial support for esteemed

mentoring programs serving young adults in need throughout New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Supplementing our Mentoring Matters program, First Niagara hosts “Days of Mentoring,” where students trade the classroom for the

boardroom to learn firsthand what the corporate world is all about. Teammates from First Niagara introduce students to the importance

of saving and being financially literate, as well as provide exposure to possible career opportunities in the banking industry.

In 2012, the Foundation awarded nearly $1 million to 33 organizations, representing the strongest, most innovative program providers

in the field of mentoring. Visit our website for a complete listing.

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 7

mentorinG matters

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 8

CommuniTy rEinvEsTmEnT

The Community Reinvestment Act is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate, including low and moderate-income neighborhoods, consistent with safe and sound operations. It was enacted by the Congress in 1977 (12 U.S.C. 2901) and is implemented by Regulation BB (12 CFR 228). The regulation was substantially revised in May 1995 and updated again in August 2005.

Banks are examined under three specific tests: Lending, Investments and Service. First Niagara received a “Satisfactory” rating for its most recent 2007 CRA Exam as performed by the Office of

Thrift Supervision (OTS). First Niagara is now supervised by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), and underwent a CRA exam in 2012. As of date of printing, the OCC had not issued a final report.

First Niagara provides a range of loans, investments, and services to help meet the needs of the low- and moderate-income households and communities, including:

•Supportingaffordablehousingdevelopmentand homeownership

•Supportingsmallbusinessdevelopment including women and minority-owned companies

•Providingfinancialservicesandtechnical expertise in underserved communities

•Providingcommunitydevelopmentloansandinvestments to revitalize neighborhoods

•Providingvolunteerleadershipinour communities in partnership with local non-profits and municipalities

invEsTmEnTs

•FirstNiagarahasmademorethan$70millionin CRA-qualified community investments in the communities we serve. These investments supported affordable housing, small business and community development projects that support low and moderate-income communities.

•Weparticipateinavarietyofcommunitydevelopment activities such as small business loan funds, non-profit community loan pools, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, SBA programs including SBIC’s, municipal bonds and direct support of non-profit housing and economic development partners.

•FirstNiagaraCommunityDevelopmentCorporation (CDC), a subsidiary of the Bank, provides dedicated financial resources for community development activities in low-to-moderate income areas that need more flexible and innovative financing. First Niagara has committed more than $25 million to the CDC to date.

•FirstNiagaraFoundationhasaspecialfocusoncommunity development and youth services and supports these programs in underserved areas.

LEnDinG

•FirstNiagaraprovidesacomprehensiverangeof mortgage, small business and commercial loans to support low and moderate-income communities in its service area.

•Weprovidedmorethan$250millionin community development loans over the past two years, supporting affordable housing, multi-family housing, community services, neighborhood revitalization and commercial development.

•Weparticipateinavarietyofaffordablehomeownership partnerships and offer affordable mortgage products, including partnerships with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York under its Affordable Housing Program and First Home Club programs, which provide financial support to low- and moderate-income home buyers.

•FirstNiagarahasadedicatedteamforSBAlending and participates in the 7(a), CDC 504, and veterans loan programs.

•Wehaveadedicatedsmallbusinesslendingteam to focus specifically on all types of small business loans.

sErviCEs

•FirstNiagarahasmorethan400branchesanda corresponding ATM network that provides convenient and accessible banking for our customers.

•Weofferalternativedeliverysystemsincludingon-line, mobile banking and telephone banking.

•FirstNiagaraencouragesandsupportsitsemployees’ involvement in their communities, including volunteering for non-profits, and leadership to support civic and local activities that promote goodwill in our communities.

•OurEmployeeVolunteerCouncilprovidesvolunteers and fundraising for a variety of charitable activities.

•FirstNiagara’sbank-wideMentoringMattersprogram supports mentoring and financial literacy initiatives in every region of the bank. The bank has committed more than $4.25 million to this program since 2007.

First Niagara 2012 Community Report | Page 9

Pennsylvania

New York New

England

Manchester

Springfield

Boston

AllentownPittsburgh

Erie

Bu�alo

RochesterSyracuse

Philadelphia

Jefferson

St. Lawrence

Hartford

Nyack

Albany

Binghamton

NorwalkNew Haven

“ Your generous gift rebuilds lives and ensures safe, decent homes for low-income families, seniors, and persons living with disabilities.”

– Allyn Smith, Executive Director,Sheen Housing, Rochester, N.Y.

“ Our partnership with companies like First Niagara helps us build strong connections within our neighborhoods and ensures that art, culture and history remain within everyone’s reach.”

– William B. Bodine, Jr., Director,Frick Arts & Historical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. “ First Niagara’s continued support of the American Red Cross

will help us provide critical relief services to Connecticut residents in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.”

– Mario Bruno, CEO,American Red Cross Connecticut and Rhode Island Region

“ First Niagara’s generous investment in MMP has an extraordinary impact on our organization and our ability to aggressively pursue the expansion of quality youth mentoring in Massachusetts. We will continue to work toward our shared vision that no child in need of a connection with a caring adult is left waiting for one.”

– Marty Martinez, President & CEO,Mass Mentoring Partnership, Springfi eld and Boston, Mass.

“ Thanks to First Niagara, over 3,800 children and teens are able to fi nd daily opportunities in education, leadership, recreation, healthy lifestyles and the arts.”

– Robert K. Kreamer, CEO,Boys & Girls Club – North Penn Valley, Indian Valley & Ambler Area, Pa.

“ We thank First Niagara for supporting mentoring, not only at On Point for College, but throughout the Central New York region.”

– Ginny Donohue, Founder and Executive Director,On Point for College, Syracuse & Utica, N.Y.

“ You should be proud that you invested in a project that will empower not only the individuals who received the tools to better themselves, but also their children, and ultimately the whole community.”

– Linda Tatu, President,Harvest House, Buffalo, N.Y.

“ Many thanks to First Niagara for sponsoring the 2012 Erie Canal Bike Tour. Our group of 500 had a great ride through some of the most beautiful land in the country.”

– John Deysher, Participant, Parks & Trails New York, Cycling the Erie Canal

DoinG GrEaT THinGs aCross our rEGions

Community First

First Niagara Foundation teammates can assist you with questions and comments regarding our charitable giving policies and procedures:

Elizabeth GurneyExecutive DirectorFirst Niagara FoundationElizabeth.Gurney@fnfg.com

Florine Luhr Foundation AdministratorFirst Niagara FoundationFlorine.Luhr@fnfg.com

FoLLow us on TwiTTEr.