WARSAW, N.Y., July 24, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Financial Institutions, Inc. (NasdaqGS:FISI - News) today announced they will be presenting at the KBW Ninth Annual Community Bank Investor Conference. The conference will be held in New York, New York July 29th and 30th at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. Peter G. Humphrey, President & CEO and Ronald A. Miller, Executive Vice President & CFO, will be presenting July 30th at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time.

The Conference will be webcast and can be viewed at http://cc.talkpoint.com/KEEF001/072908a_ak/. All presentations and audio will be archived for 60 days after the event. Participants are encouraged to log on at least 15 minutes prior to the start in order to register and download any necessary software. The Conference slide presentation will also be available immediately following the presentation at the company's website under http://www.fiiwarsaw.com.

About Financial Institutions, Inc.

With $1.9 billion in assets, Financial Institutions, Inc. provides diversified financial services through its subsidiaries, Five Star Bank and Five Star Investment Services, Inc. Five Star Bank provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals, municipalities and businesses through a network of 50 offices and 70 ATMs in Western and Central New York State, and employs approximately 660 people. Five Star Investment Services provides brokerage and insurance products and services within the same New York State markets. The Company's stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol FISI. Additional information is available at the Company's website: http://www.fiiwarsaw.com.

          Financial Institutions, Inc.
          Matthew T. Murtha, Senior Vice President &
            Director of Marketing
          585.786.7611
          mtmurtha@five-starbank.com