First Niagara Bank Names New Business Banker in Hudson Valley

First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: FNFG) through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A. announced today the recent hire of Gary Grandstaff as Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager, Business Banking for the Tri-State Region. He reports to Business Banking Team Leader Sara Tucker.

Mr. Grandstaff joins the bank as part of First Niagara’s strong focus on the Tri-State market and its continued expansion of commercial resources to serve the needs of Hudson Valley businesses. He will be responsible for developing new commercial relationships throughout the region, with primary focus on Westchester, Putnam and Duchess counties. Gary will support the bank’s existing commercial relationships and will be responsible for generating new commercial banking opportunities by growing commercial loans and deposit relationships with area companies that range from $2 million to $30 million in gross annual revenue.

“Gary’s impressive track record of attracting new relationships and providing exceptional customer service makes him a perfect fit for this position at First Niagara, and we are thrilled to welcome him to the team,” said Ms. Tucker.

Mr. Grandstaff joins First Niagara from Wells Fargo where he most recently served as Principal Relationship Manager and previously as Business Banking Manager. Prior to Wells Fargo, he held various credit and business development positions with Washington Mutual, North Fork Bank and Commerce Bank. Gary began his banking career with JPMorgan Chase New York, NY. He holds a degree from Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY and has served as a guest speaker at St. John’s University, Kean University and Hunter College.

Gary is currently located in First Niagara’s Tri-State Regional Office in Nyack, NY. He resides in Putnam Valley, NY.

About First Niagara

First Niagara, through its wholly owned subsidiary, First Niagara Bank, N.A., is a multi-state community-oriented bank with approximately 410 branches, $39 billion in assets, $27 billion in deposits, and approximately 5,900 employees providing financial services to individuals, families and businesses across New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and Massachusetts. For additional information on First Niagara, visit us at www.firstniagara.com, follow us on Twitter @FirstNiagara, or like us on Facebook at FirstNiagaraBank.