<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001193125-20-321176.txt : 20210122
<SEC-HEADER>0001193125-20-321176.hdr.sgml : 20210122
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20201218130028
<PRIVATE-TO-PUBLIC>
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001193125-20-321176
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	CORRESP
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
FILED AS OF DATE:		20201218

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:		CORRESP

	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
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<TYPE>CORRESP
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>filename1.htm
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 <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman" ALIGN="center">December&nbsp;18, 2020 </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B><U>VIA EDGAR </U></B></P> <P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
</P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Division of Corporation Finance </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">100 F Street, N.E. </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Washington, D.C. 20549 </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Attention: Mr.&nbsp;Eric Envall </P>
<P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><B>Re:</B></TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Financial Institutions, Inc.</B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT></B></P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman"><B>File <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">No.&nbsp;333-251030</FONT></B></P></TD></TR>
</TABLE> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">Ladies and Gentlemen: </P>
<P STYLE="margin-top:6pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">In accordance with Rule 461 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Financial Institutions, Inc. (the &#147;Registrant&#148;), hereby
requests that the effective date of the Registration Statement on Form <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">S-4</FONT> filed by the Registrant with the U. S. Securities and Exchange Commission be accelerated so that the same may become effective at
12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December&nbsp;22, 2020, or as soon thereafter as practicable. </P> <P STYLE="margin-top:12pt; margin-bottom:0pt; text-indent:4%; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">If you have any questions or comments, please
contact Alexander McClean of Harter Secrest&nbsp;&amp; Emery LLP at (585) <FONT STYLE="white-space:nowrap">231-1248.</FONT> </P> <P STYLE="font-size:12pt;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt">&nbsp;</P><DIV ALIGN="right">
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Very truly yours,</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top"><B>Financial Institutions, Inc.</B></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="top">By:</TD>
<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top"> <P STYLE="margin-top:0pt; margin-bottom:1pt; border-bottom:1px solid #000000; font-size:10pt; font-family:Times New Roman">/s/ W. Jack Plants</P></TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">W. Jack Plants</TD></TR>
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<TD VALIGN="bottom">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD VALIGN="top">Senior Vice President and Corporate Treasurer</TD></TR>
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