
EX-23
(Exhibit 23) Independent Accountants' Consent

                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Financial Institutions, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on Form
S-8 (No. 333-76865) of Financial Institutions, Inc. of our report dated February
26, 2003, relating to the consolidated statements of financial condition of
Financial Institutions, Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2001,
and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in shareholders'
equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 2002, which report has been included in the
December 31, 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Financial Institutions, Inc.


                                        /s/ KPMG LLP

Buffalo, New York
March 14, 2003


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