Financial Institutions, Inc. Reports First Quarter Earnings

April 17, 2003

WARSAW, N.Y., April 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Financial Institutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: FISI) today reported that first quarter 2003 net income was $4,296,000 compared to $6,657,000 for the first three months of 2002. Diluted earnings per share were $0.35 for the first quarter of 2003 compared to $0.56 for the 2002 period. Included in first quarter 2003 results was a provision for loan losses of $3,298,000, which represents an increase of $2,291,000 over the $1,007,000 provision for loan losses for the first quarter of 2002. The three month period ending March 31, 2003 also included an impairment charge of $489,000 for a partnership investment carried by the Company's National Bank of Geneva (NBG) subsidiary and expenses of $232,000 for professional services related to organizational governance and credit administration issues at NBG. The first quarter of 2003 also included a charge of $674,000 relating to incurred separation costs of former management.

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Peter G. Humphrey, President and CEO of Financial Institutions, Inc. (FII), said: "First quarter 2003 results were adversely affected by further declines in credit quality principally at NBG. As previously indicated, the Company has committed additional resources toward management of the Company's nonperforming assets and strengthening the credit administration function. Actions toward resolving outstanding credit issues are well underway and we are expecting timely, efficient resolution. Absent the credit issues at NBG the Company's core earnings remain strong. We remain focused on the execution of our strategic plan and the Company's long term growth strategy."

Nonperforming assets at March 31, 2003 were $40.4 million compared to $38.4 million at December 31, 2002 and $11.6 million at March 31, 2002. The increase in nonperforming assets was principally in commercial loans at NBG. Humphrey stated, "The economy remains soft which has affected the cash flows of some of our borrowers. In addition, the dairy industry has experienced an extended period of low milk prices. Milk prices have stabilized, however we have restructured loans to a few borrowers who are experiencing the most difficulty. We have identified our problem assets and have resources in place to manage those assets. We expect improvement in the existing problem loans over the next several quarters."

Net loan charge-offs were $1,524,000 for the first quarter of 2003 or 0.46% of average loans compared to $598,000 or 0.20% of average loans in the same period last year. The increase in loan charge-offs relates primarily to NBG where $1,159,000 of commercial and commercial mortgages were charged-off during the first quarter of 2003. The ratio of nonperforming assets to total loans and other real estate was 3.01% at March 31, 2003 compared to 2.90% at December 31, 2002 and 0.99% a year ago. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to nonperforming loans was 60% at March 31, 2003, compared to 58% at December 31, 2002 and 186% the previous year. The ratio of the allowance for loan losses to total loans increased to 1.75% at March 31, 2003 compared to 1.64% at year end 2002 and 1.65% a year ago.

In the first quarter of 2003, net interest income increased 4.0% to $18,841,000 compared to $18,077,000 in the first quarter of 2002. Net interest margin was 4.01% for the first quarter of 2003 a drop of 52 basis points from the 4.53% level for the same period last year. Growth in average earning assets of $296 million, or 17%, offset the fall in net interest margin and produced the increased revenue. The growth in average earning assets reflects average increases of $132 million in the Company's investment portfolio and $158 million in loans. The decline in net interest margin reflects the effects of the increase in nonaccrual loans combined with overall spread compression associated with yields generated on incremental asset growth relative to related funding costs in a period of historically low market interest rates.

Noninterest income increased 24% in the first quarter of 2003 to $6,102,000 from $4,937,000 for the first quarter of 2002. Security gains in the first quarter of 2003 were $291,000 compared to a loss of $196,000 in the first quarter of 2002. Growth in deposits and related activity resulted in service charges on deposits increasing $328,000 to $2,655,000 for the three months ending March 31, 2003 compare to $2,327,000 for the same period a year ago.

Noninterest expense for the first quarter of 2003 totaled $15,576,000 compared with $12,100,000 for the first quarter of 2002. As previously discussed $1,395,000 of the increase related to three specific matters: $232,000 of the increase was from professional fees related to NBG organizational governance and credit administration issues, $489,000 from an impairment charge, and $674,000 from separation costs. The remaining increase is from compensation cost from additional staffing of the credit administration function and costs associated with the Company's expansion and growth of its products and delivery channels. These additional costs are the principal factor in an increase in the Company's efficiency ratio to 58.95%, compared to 48.69% for the same period a year ago. Humphrey said, "Our strategic plan has identified opportunities for expansion into markets where we believe our brand of banking will allow us to achieve significant market share. During 2002 we opened offices in six new locations and expect to open in three more locations in 2003. As we invest in the future the costs associated with that expansion and related support structure have contributed to an increase in our efficiency ratio. I am confident that our efficiency ratio will improve as these new offices come on line and our credit costs decline as we work through our problem loans."

At March 31, 2003 the Company had total assets of $2.203 billion, an increase of 17% from $1.884 billion at March 31, 2002. Total loans at quarter end were $1.339 billion, an increase of $161 million, or 14%, over the same period last year. Total deposits were $1.821 billion at the recent quarter- end, compared with $1.521 billion a year earlier. Total shareholders' equity increased 19% to $182 million at March 31, 2003 from $153 million a year earlier. Book value per common share at March 31, 2003 was $14.75, an increase of 20% from $12.26 at March 31, 2002.

FII is the financial holding company parent of Wyoming County Bank, The National Bank of Geneva, Bath National Bank, and First Tier Bank and Trust. The four banks provide a wide range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals, municipalities, and businesses through a network of 46 offices and 65 ATMs in Western and Central New York State. FII's Financial Services Group also provides diversified financial services to its customers and clients, including brokerage, trust, insurance and employee benefits and compensation consulting. More information on FII and its subsidiaries is available through the Company web site at www.fiiwarsaw.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined by federal securities laws. These statements may address issues that involve significant risks, uncertainties, estimates and assumptions made by management. Actual results could differ materially from current projections. Please refer to the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a summary of important factors that could affect the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this press release.

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       Consolidated Statement of Income
               (Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                 For the three months ended
                                         March 31,
                                     2003        2002    $ Change   % Change

    Interest income              $  28,527$ 28,560   $  (33)        -%
    Interest expense                 9,686      10,483     (797)      (8)%
    Net interest income             18,841      18,077      764         4%
    Provision for loan losses        3,298       1,007    2,291       228%
    Net interest income
     after provision
     for loan losses                15,543      17,070   (1,527)      (9)%

    Noninterest income:
     Service charges on deposits     2,655       2,327      328        14%
    Financial services group
     fees and commissions            1,374       1,305       69         5%
    Mortgage banking activities        785         943     (158)     (17)%
    Gain (loss) on sale
     and call of securities            291        (196)     487       248%
    Other                              997         558      439        79%
     Total noninterest income        6,102       4,937    1,165        24%

    Noninterest expense:
     Salaries and employee benefits  8,881       6,921    1,960        28%
     Other                           6,695       5,179    1,516        29%
      Total noninterest expense     15,576      12,100    3,476        29%

    Income before income taxes       6,069       9,907   (3,838)     (39)%
    Income taxes                     1,773       3,250   (1,477)     (45)%
    Net income                       4,296       6,657   (2,361)     (35)%

    Preferred stock dividends          374         374        -        - %

    Net income available
     to common shareholders      $   3,922$  6,283  $(2,361)     (38)%

    Taxable-equivalent
     net interest income         $  19,978$ 19,229$   749         4%

    Per common share data:

     Net income - basic          $    0.35$   0.57  $ (0.22)     (39)%
     Net income - diluted        $    0.35$   0.56  $ (0.21)     (38)%
     Cash dividends declared     $    0.16$   0.13$  0.03        23%
     Book value                     $14.75$12.26$2.49        20%

    Common shares outstanding:
     Weighted average
      shares - actual           11,107,014  11,013,548
     Weighted average
      shares - diluted          11,212,507  11,217,430
     Period end actual          11,109,664  11,009,761

    Performance ratios, annualized
     Return on average assets         0.82%       1.47%
     Return on average common equity  9.72%      18.83%
     Net interest margin
      (tax-equivalent)                4.01%       4.53%
     Efficiency ratio                58.95%      48.69%

    Asset quality data:
     Loans past due over 90 days   $ 1,308$  742
     Restructured loans              2,940           -
     Nonaccrual loans               34,798       9,758
     Other real estate owned         1,316       1,125
     Total nonperforming assets    $40,362$11,625

    Asset quality ratios:
     Nonperforming loans
      to total loans                  2.92%       0.89%
     Nonperforming assets
      to total loans and ORE          3.01%       0.99%
     Net loan charge-offs
      to average loans (annualized)   0.46%       0.21%
     Allowance for loan losses
      to total loans                  1.75%       1.65%
     Allowance for loan losses
      to nonperforming loans            60%        186%

    Capital ratios:
     Average common equity
      to average total assets         7.67%       7.39%
     Leverage ratio                   6.83%       7.10%
     Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio  9.72%      10.02%
     Risk-based capital ratio        10.98%      11.45%



                FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition
                            (Dollars in thousands)


                                       March 31,
                                   2003        2002     $ Change     % Change

    ASSETS
    Cash, due from banks
     and interest-bearing
     deposits                   $ 48,828$ 46,316$ 2,512         5%
    Federal funds sold            59,693       23,404     36,289       155%
    Investment securities        665,022      547,545    117,477        21%

    Loans                      1,339,122    1,178,334    160,788        14%
    Allowance for loan losses    (23,434)     (19,483)    (3,951)       20%
    Loans, net                 1,315,688    1,158,851    156,837        14%

    Goodwill                      40,621       36,709      3,912        11%
    Other assets                  73,646       71,401      2,245         3%

     Total assets           $  2,203,498$ 1,884,226$ 319,272        17%

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Deposits:
     Demand                      233,170      204,539     28,631        14%
     Savings, money market,
      and int-bearing checking   826,776      687,678    139,098        20%
     Certificates of deposit     760,662      628,982    131,680        21%
      Total deposits           1,820,608    1,521,199    299,409        20%

    Short-term borrowings         63,230       95,903    (32,673)     (34)%
    Long-term borrowings          94,991       75,380     19,611        26%
    Guaranteed preferred
     beneficial interests in
     Corporation's junior
     subordinated debentures      16,200       16,200          -         -%
    Other liabilities             26,898       22,800      4,098        18%

     Total liabilities         2,021,927    1,731,482    290,445        17%

    Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred equity             17,742       17,752        (10)        -%
     Common equity               163,829      134,992     28,837        21%
      Total shareholders'
       equity                    181,571      152,744     28,827        19%

      Total liabilities
       and shareholders'
       equity                $ 2,203,498$ 1,884,226$ 319,272        17%



                FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            Consolidated Average Statements of Financial Condition
                            (Dollars in thousands)

                                     March 31,
                                2003          2002      $ Change    % Change

    ASSETS
    Cash, due from banks
     and interest-bearing
     deposits                $ 42,967$ 40,271$ 2,696       7%
    Federal funds sold         33,051        27,430         5,621      20%
    Investment securities     640,174       508,404       131,770      26%

    Loans                   1,329,989     1,171,649       158,340      14%
     Allowance for loan
      losses                  (21,963)      (19,286)       (2,677)     14%
       Loans, net           1,308,026     1,152,363       155,663      14%
    Goodwill                   40,602        36,713         3,889      11%
    Other assets               70,045        66,416         3,629       5%

      Total assets      $   2,134,865$ 1,831,597$ 303,268      17%

    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
    Deposits:
     Demand                   228,493       208,533        19,960      10%
    Savings, money market,
     and int-bearing
     checking                 799,110       642,108       157,002      24%
    Certificates of deposit   724,365       623,702       100,663      16%
     Total deposits         1,751,968     1,474,343       277,625      19%

    Short-term borrowings      60,512        89,600       (29,088)   (32)%
    Long-term borrowings      102,239        76,668        25,571      33%
    Guaranteed preferred
     beneficial interests in
     Corporation's junior
     subordinated debentures   16,200        16,200            --      --%
    Other liabilities          22,489        21,703           786       4%

     Total liabilities      1,953,408     1,678,514       274,894      16%

    Shareholders' equity:
     Preferred equity          17,742        17,752           (10)     --%
     Common equity            163,715       135,331        28,384      21%
      Total shareholders'
       equity                 181,457       153,083        28,374      19%

      Total liabilities
       and shareholders'
       equity             $ 2,134,865$  1,831,597$   303,268      17%

SOURCE  Financial Institutions, Inc.
    -0-                             04/17/2003
    /CONTACT:  Ronald A. Miller, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Financial Institutions, Inc., +1-585-786-1102/
    /Photo:  http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20030114/FISILOGO/
    /Web site:  http://www.fiiwarsaw.com/
    (FISI)

CO:  Financial Institutions, Inc.
ST:  New York
IN:  FIN
SU:  ERN

TS 
-- NYTH069 --
6117 04/17/200310:37 EDThttp://www.prnewswire.com