<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-16-603266.txt : 20160526
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-16-603266.hdr.sgml : 20160526
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20160526091204
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-16-603266
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	DEFA14A
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
FILED AS OF DATE:		20160526
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20160526
EFFECTIVENESS DATE:		20160526

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000862831
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				160816610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		DEFA14A
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26481
		FILM NUMBER:		161676411

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 LIBERTY STREET
		CITY:			WARSAW
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14569
		BUSINESS PHONE:		5857861100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 LIBERTY STREET
		CITY:			WARSAW
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14569
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>DEFA14A
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>d181266ddefa14a.htm
<DESCRIPTION>DEFA14A
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 <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="line-height:3.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:4pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>UNITED STATES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, DC 20549 </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:18pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>SCHEDULE 14A
</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Securities Exchange Act of 1934 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:12pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Amendment No.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><center>
<P STYLE="line-height:6.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1.00pt solid #000000;width:21%">&nbsp;</P></center> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filed by the
Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Filed by
a Party other than the Registrant&nbsp;&nbsp;<FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Check the appropriate box: </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Preliminary Proxy Statement</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom"><B>Confidential, For Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Definitive Proxy Statement</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Definitive Additional Materials</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">Soliciting Material Pursuant to &#167;240.14a-12</TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:22pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Financial Institutions, Inc. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:18pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:8pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>Copies to: </I></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Craig S. Wittlin, Esq.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Harter Secrest &amp; Emery LLP</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>1600 Bausch &amp; Lomb Place</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Rochester, NY 14604-2711</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(585) 231-1260</B></P></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Keith E. Gottfried, Esq.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Morgan, Lewis &amp; Bockius LLP</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>1111 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Washington, DC 20004-2541</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>(202) 739-5947</B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): </P>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#120;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">No fee required.</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">(1)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(2)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(3)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing
fee is calculated and state how it was determined):</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(4)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">(5)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Total fee paid:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><FONT STYLE="FONT-FAMILY:WINGDINGS">&#168;</FONT></TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top" COLSPAN="3">Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">(1)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Amount previously paid:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">(3)</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Filing Party:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">(4)</TD>
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<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Date Filed:</P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:1.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</P>
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Financial Institutions, Inc., a New York corporation (&#147;<U>FISI</U>&#148; or the &#147;<U>Company</U>&#148;),
is filing materials contained in this Schedule 14A with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (&#147;<U>SEC</U>&#148;) in connection with the solicitation of proxies from its shareholders in connection with its 2016 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held on Friday, June&nbsp;3, 2016, at 10:00 a.m., local time, at the Company&#146;s corporate headquarters in Warsaw, New York and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the &#147;<U>2016 Annual Meeting</U>&#148;).
On April&nbsp;19, 2016, FISI filed with the SEC its definitive proxy statement and accompanying definitive<B><U>&nbsp;BLUE</U></B>&nbsp;proxy card in connection with its solicitation of proxies to be used at the 2016 Annual Meeting. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Letter to Shareholders First Used on May&nbsp;26, 2016 </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Attached hereto is a letter dated May&nbsp;26, 2016 (accompanied by a<B><U>&nbsp;BLUE</U></B>&nbsp;proxy card) that FISI is first mailing to shareholders on
May&nbsp;26, 2016 in which FISI comments on the proxy contest by Clover Partners, L.P. (&#147;<U>Clover</U>&#148;) and the other participants in its solicitation with respect to the 2016 Annual Meeting and reports that the two leading independent,
third-party proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. (ISS) and&nbsp;Glass, Lewis&nbsp;&amp; Co., LLC (Glass Lewis), whose clients include institutional investors, mutual funds, pension funds and other fiduciaries, have each
recommended to its clients that are FISI shareholders that they vote the&nbsp;<B><U>BLUE</U></B>&nbsp;proxy card&nbsp;<B><U>FOR&nbsp;ALL</U></B>&nbsp;four of FISI&#146;s director nominees &#150;<B> <U>Martin Birmingham, Samuel Gullo, Kim VanGelder
and James Wyckoff</U></B>&nbsp;&#150; standing for election at the 2016 Annual Meeting. As previously announced, Clover and the other participants in its solicitation have publicly disclosed that they intend to pursue a proxy contest to elect two
nominees to the FISI Board of Directors at the 2016 Annual Meeting. FISI strongly urges shareholders to follow the recommendations of both ISS and Glass Lewis and vote only the<B><U>&nbsp;BLUE</U></B>&nbsp;proxy card
<B><U>FOR&nbsp;ALL</U></B>&nbsp;four of FISI&#146;s director nominees recommended by the FISI Board of Directors. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Important Additional Information And
Where To Find It </B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Financial Institutions, Inc. (&#147;<U>FISI</U>&#148;) its directors and certain of its executive officers are deemed to be
participants in the solicitation of proxies from FISI&#146;s shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at FISI&#146;s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. On April&nbsp;19, 2016, FISI filed a definitive proxy statement and
accompanying&nbsp;definitive <B><U>BLUE</U></B>&nbsp;proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (&#147;<U>SEC</U>&#148;) in connection with the solicitation of proxies from FISI&#146;s shareholders in connection with the matters to be
considered at FISI&#146;s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Information regarding the names of FISI&#146;s directors and executive officers and their respective interests in FISI by security holdings or otherwise can be found in such definitive
proxy statement, including the schedules and appendices thereto. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ ANY SUCH PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING <B><U>BLUE</U></B> PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY FINANCIAL
INSTITUTIONS WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain the definitive proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement, the
accompanying <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card, and other documents filed by FISI with the SEC for no charge at the SEC&#146;s website at <U>www.sec.gov</U>. Copies will also be available at no charge at the Investor Relations section of FISI&#146;s
corporate website at www.fiiwarsaw.com, by writing to FISI&#146;s Corporate Secretary at Financial Institutions, Inc., 220 Liberty Street, Warsaw, New York 14569, or by calling FISI&#146;s Corporate Secretary at (585)&nbsp;786-1100. </P>

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 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>VOTE THE <U>BLUE</U> PROXY CARD <U>TODAY</U> FOR ALL </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>OF FISI&#146;S HIGHLY-QUALIFIED AND VERY EXPERIENCED BOARD NOMINEES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>IMPORTANT RECENT DEVELOPMENTS! </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>THE TWO LEADING INDEPENDENT PROXY ADVISORY FIRMS, ISS AND GLASS LEWIS, RECOMMEND </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>THAT FISI SHAREHOLDERS VOTE THE <U>BLUE</U> PROXY CARD <U>FOR ALL</U> OF FISI&#146;S DIRECTOR NOMINEES </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">May&nbsp;26, 2016 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Dear Fellow Shareholder &#150; </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We are extremely pleased to inform you that, over the past week, the two leading independent proxy advisory firms, Institutional Shareholder Services
(&#147;ISS&#148;) and Glass Lewis&nbsp;&amp; Co., LLC (&#147;Glass Lewis&#148;), issued reports recommending that FISI shareholders vote the <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card <B><U>FOR ALL</U></B> four of FISI&#146;s highly-qualified and very
experienced director nominees &#150;<B>Martin Birmingham, Samuel Gullo, Kim VanGelder</B> and <B>James Wyckoff </B>&#150; standing for election at our upcoming 2016 Annual Meeting. In their reports, ISS and Glass Lewis recognized FISI&#146;s clear
strategic direction, strong financial performance and record of outperforming its peers in returning value to shareholders. ISS and Glass Lewis also both came to the same conclusion that the dissident shareholder, Clover Partners, L.P., has not made
a compelling case that additional change in FISI&#146;s board composition is warranted. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>FISI&#146;S STRATEGIC DIRECTION, STRONG
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE AND SUPERIOR SHAREHOLDER RETURNS ARE RECOGNIZED BY THE TWO LEADING INDEPENDENT PROXY ADVISORY FIRMS </B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>ISS</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom" ALIGN="center"><B>Glass Lewis</B></TD></TR>


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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Strength of Strategic&nbsp;Growth Plan</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&#147;FISI has delivered solid growth and profitability over the past five years.&#148;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&#147;We find no cause for concern with the Company&#146;s strategic direction, which has been clearly communicated to investors and upon which management appears to be making progress, in our view.&#148;</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Superior Shareholder Returns</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&#147;On a five-year and three-year basis, the Company&#146;s TSR [total shareholder return] appears to have handily outperformed peers through the date at which the dissident&#146;s involvement first became public.&#148;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&#147;We find that the Company has generally outperformed peers and regional bank indices over the near-and longer-term, including over the one-year, three-year and 10-year periods reviewed in our analysis.&#148;</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Concerns About Clover Partners</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&#147;Moreover, FISI&#146;s outperformance was reduced after the dissident filed its 13D, which does not suggest the market believed the company was in need of an intervention.&#148;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">&#147;We are concerned that the Dissident&#146;s [Clover Partners] brief holding period and publicly stated interest in selling the Company could deny long-term shareholders the upside potential associated with the Company&#146;s
stand-alone strategy.&#148;</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top" ALIGN="center"><B>Conclusion</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><B>&#147;As the dissident [Clover Partners] has not made a compelling case that additional change in the board level is warranted, votes FOR all management nominees &#150; Birmingham, Gullo, VanGelder, and Wyckoff &#150; are
warranted.&#148;</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"><B>&#147;In conclusion, we do not believe the Dissident [Clover Partners] has made a compelling case that electing its nominees to the board is warranted or in the best interests of all shareholders at this time.&#148;</B></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We are very pleased that the two leading independent and highly reputable proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, carefully
reviewed the voting alternatives and came to the same conclusion in recommending that shareholders should vote <B><U>FOR ALL</U></B> four of FISI&#146;s highly-qualified and very experienced director nominees on the <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card. We
are also pleased that in making their recommendations, both ISS and Glass Lewis recognized that your Board&#146;s strategic plan has </P>

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 </P> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">been producing superior returns for shareholders over
the last three years. Delivering value to our shareholders remains our top priority. We believe that our strategic plan will continue to drive growth and profitability and create superior value for shareholders and its success has been demonstrated
by numerous measures of FISI&#146;s overall performance, including the following: </P> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B></B><B>66% in total shareholder returns<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">1</SUP> </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B></B><B>50% growth in FISI stock price </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B></B><B>$32 million returned to shareholders through dividends </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B></B><B>21% growth in net income; over 20% growth in loans, deposits and assets </B></TD></TR></TABLE> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD WIDTH="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD WIDTH="2%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><B>&#149;</B></TD>
<TD WIDTH="1%" VALIGN="top">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top"><B></B><B>21% growth in commercial business loans, 37% growth in commercial mortgages, and a 52% decrease in nonperforming loans </B></TD></TR></TABLE>
<P STYLE="margin-top:24pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><U>YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT FOR THE FUTURE OF FISI </U></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B><I>Only the latest dated proxy card counts, so please vote the BLUE proxy card again TODAY! </I></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">The upcoming Annual Meeting, which is only days away on June&nbsp;3<SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">rd</SUP>, is a significant event that could
determine the future of FISI. We strongly urge all shareholders to follow the recommendations of the two leading, independent proxy advisory firms, ISS and Glass Lewis, and VOTE the <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card <B>TODAY<U> FOR ALL</U></B> your
Board&#146;s four highly-qualified and very experienced nominees: <B>Martin Birmingham, Samuel Gullo, Kim VanGelder</B> and <B>James Wyckoff</B>. Voting the <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card will ensure that FISI is best positioned to <B>continue
executing on a strategic plan that has delivered increased growth, increased profitability, and achieved a 66% increase in total shareholder returns over the past three years.</B> </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B></B>We also urge you NOT to sign or return any white proxy card or voting instruction form that you may receive from Clover Partners. Even a WITHHOLD vote
with respect to Clover Partners&#146; proposed director nominees on its white proxy card or voting instruction form will cancel any <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card or voting instruction form previously given to FISI. If you do sign a white proxy card
that is sent to you by Clover Partners, however, you have the right to change your vote by using the enclosed <B><U>BLUE</U></B> proxy card. <B>Only the latest dated proxy card or voting instruction form you vote will be counted. </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">We encourage you to visit <U>www.votefisi.com</U> for more information about the Annual Meeting. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Thank you for your continued support and patience as we strive to ensure that we are providing you with the information necessary to make a fully informed
voting decision. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Sincerely, </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Board of Directors of
Financial Institutions, Inc. </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="line-height:8.0pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:2pt;border-bottom:1px solid #000000;width:10%">&nbsp;</P>
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<TR>
<TD WIDTH="4%" VALIGN="top" ALIGN="left"><SUP STYLE="font-size:85%; vertical-align:top">1</SUP>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD ALIGN="left" VALIGN="top">All calculations are based on three-year period ending December&nbsp;31, 2015. </TD></TR></TABLE>

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 </P> <p STYLE="margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt ; font-size:8pt">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Safe Harbor Statement </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">This letter may contain forward-looking statements as defined by Section&nbsp;21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is subject to the
safe harbors created by such laws. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such by the context of the statements, including words such as &#147;believe,&#148; &#147;expect,&#148; &#147;anticipate,&#148; &#147;plan,&#148;
&#147;may,&#148; &#147;would,&#148; &#147;intend,&#148; &#147;estimate,&#148; &#147;guidance&#148; and other similar expressions, whether in the negative or affirmative. Similarly, statements that describe the objectives, plans or goals of Financial
Institutions, Inc. (&#147;FISI&#148;) are forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated proxy contest by Clover Partners, L.P. and the other participants in its solicitation,
FISI&#146;s ability to continue to execute on and implement its strategic growth plan, FISI&#146;s opportunities for continued growth, FISI&#146;s initiatives to improve its financial and operational performance and increase its growth and
profitability, FISI&#146;s future stock price and dividend growth, FISI&#146;s future returns to shareholders, FISI&#146;s ability to continue to strengthen its balance sheet and grow its core business, FISI&#146;s ability to continue to strengthen
its regulatory compliance procedures, FISI&#146;s ability to continue to profitably grow its commercial lending business, FISI&#146;s ability to enhance its competitive position through diversified income streams, FISI&#146;s ability to leverage its
client base to offer its clients additional fee-based products, FISI&#146;s future returns from its existing fee-based platforms and the effect of those platforms on overall shareholder value, FISI&#146;s ability to continue to maintain expense
discipline, FISI&#146;s plans to continue to return cash to its shareholders through cash dividends and future increases that may be made thereto, FISI&#146;s actions taken or contemplated to enhance its long-term prospects and create and return
value for its shareholders, FISI&#146;s future operational and financial performance, FISI&#146;s future growth and profitability, the effect that the election of FISI&#146;s nominees to the FISI Board will have on FISI&#146;s execution of its
long-term plan and long-term shareholder value, and the future effect of FISI&#146;s strategic growth plan on FISI&#146;s growth, profitability and total shareholder returns. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future operational
or financial performance and are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections and management&#146;s current beliefs and assumptions, all of which involve a number of significant risks and uncertainties, any one or more of
which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in FISI&#146;s forward-looking statements. There are a number of important risks and uncertainties that could cause FISI&#146;s actual events or results to differ materially
from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: FISI&#146;s ability to implement its strategic plan, FISI&#146;s ability to redeploy investment assets into loan assets, whether FISI experiences
greater credit losses than expected, whether FISI experiences breaches of its, or third party, information systems, the attitudes and preferences of FISI&#146;s customers, FISI&#146;s ability to successfully integrate and profitably operate SDN and
Courier Capital, the competitive environment, fluctuations in the fair value of securities in its investment portfolio, changes in the regulatory environment and FISI&#146;s compliance with regulatory requirements, changes in interest rates, general
economic and credit market conditions nationally and regionally, and the actions of activist investors, including the amount of related costs incurred by FISI and the disruption caused to FISI&#146;s business activities by these actions.
Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and the cautionary language in FISI&#146;s Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other documents filed with the SEC.
Except as required by law, FISI undertakes no obligation to revise these statements, whether to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events or otherwise, following the date of this letter. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:18pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Important Additional Information And Where To Find It </B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Financial Institutions, Inc. (&#147;FISI&#148;) its directors and certain of its executive officers are deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies from FISI&#146;s shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at FISI&#146;s 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. On April&nbsp;19, 2016, FISI filed a definitive proxy statement and accompanying&nbsp;definitive
<B><U>BLUE</U></B>&nbsp;proxy card with the Securities and Exchange Commission (&#147;SEC&#148;) in connection with the solicitation of proxies from FISI&#146;s shareholders in connection with the matters to be considered at FISI&#146;s 2016 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. Information regarding the names of FISI&#146;s directors and executive officers and their respective interests in FISI by security holdings or otherwise can be found in such definitive proxy statement, including the
schedules and appendices thereto. INVESTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO READ ANY SUCH PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING BLUE PROXY CARD AND OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED BY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR
ENTIRETY WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE AS THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Shareholders may obtain the definitive proxy statement, any amendments or supplements to the proxy statement, the accompanying BLUE proxy card, and other documents filed
by FISI with the SEC for no charge at the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov. Copies will also be available at no charge at the Investor Relations section of FISI&#146;s corporate website at www.fiiwarsaw.com, by writing to FISI&#146;s Corporate
Secretary at Financial Institutions, Inc., 220 Liberty Street, Warsaw, New York 14569, or by calling FISI&#146;s Corporate Secretary at (585)&nbsp;786-1100. </P>

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<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Financial Institutions, Inc. has neither sought nor obtained the consent from any third party to use any statements or information contained in this letter
that have been obtained or derived from statements made or published by such third parties. Any such statements or information should not be viewed as indicating the support of such third parties for the views expressed herein. </P>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom" STYLE="BORDER-LEFT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top" STYLE="BORDER-TOP:1px solid #000000; BORDER-RIGHT:1px solid #000000; BORDER-BOTTOM:1px solid #000000"> <P STYLE="font-size:6pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>IMPORTANT!</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>PLEASE VOTE
THE <U>BLUE</U> PROXY CARD TODAY!</B></P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>WE URGE YOU
<U>NOT</U> TO SIGN ANY white PROXY CARD OR VOTING</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>INSTRUCTION FORM SENT TO YOU BY CLOVER PARTNERS</B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Remember, you can vote your shares by telephone or
</B><B><I>via</I></B><B> the Internet. Please follow the</B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>easy instructions on the enclosed <U>BLUE</U> proxy card.</B></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>If you have any questions or need assistance in
voting</I></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><I>your shares, please contact our proxy solicitor:</I></P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center"><B>Morrow&nbsp;&amp; Co., LLC</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">470 West Avenue</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Stamford, CT
06902</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Shareholders Call Toll Free: (800)&nbsp;662-5200</P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">Banks and Brokers Call Collect: (203)&nbsp;658-9400</P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt; margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt" align="left">&nbsp;</P></TD>
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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
