EX-99.1


NEWS RELEASE		220 Liberty Street
*For Immediate Release*		Warsaw, NY 14569

WARSAW, N.Y. – May 20, 2015 – Financial Institutions, Inc. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ: FISI), the parent company of Five Star Bank and Scott Danahy Naylon Insurance, announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per outstanding common share. The Company also announced dividends of $0.75 per share on Series A 3% preferred stock and $2.12 per share on series B-1 8.48% preferred stock. All dividends are payable July 2, 2015 to shareholders of record as of June 11, 2015.

Financial Institutions, Inc. provides diversified financial services through its subsidiaries, Five Star Bank and Scott Danahy Naylon. Five Star Bank provides a wide range of consumer and commercial banking services to individuals, municipalities and businesses through a network of over 50 offices throughout Western and Central New York State. Scott Danahy Naylon provides a broad range of insurance services to personal and business clients across 44 states. Financial Institutions, Inc. and its subsidiaries employ approximately 650 individuals. The Company’s stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol FISI and is a member of the NASDAQ OMX ABA Community Bank Index. Additional information is available at the Company’s website: .

This news release may contain “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of federal securities laws that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Statements herein are based on certain assumptions and analyses by the Company and are factors it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: changes in interest rates; changes in accounting principles, policies, or guidelines; changes in the Company’s dividend policy; significant changes in the economic scenario: significant changes in regulatory requirements; and significant changes in securities markets. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and the cautionary language in the Company’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, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise these statements following the date of this news release.

For additional information contact:

Kevin B. Klotzbach

Executive VP, Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer

Phone: 585.786.1130

Email: KBKlotzbach@five-starbank.com

Jordan Darrow

Darrow Associates

Phone: 631.367.1866

Email: jdarrow@darrowir.com