Exhibit 10.3
November 18, 2008
J. Lanier Little
Executive Vice President, Consumer Banking
c/o First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
6950 South Transit Road
Lockport, New York 14095
Dear Lanny,
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) anticipates entering into a
Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with the United
States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) that provides for the Company’s
participation in the Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). If
the Company does not participate or ceases at any time to participate in the
CPP, this letter shall be of no further force and effect.
For the Company to participate in the CPP and as a condition to the closing of
the investment contemplated by the Participation Agreement, the Company is
required to establish specified standards for incentive compensation to its
senior executive officers and to make changes to its compensation arrangements.
To comply with these requirements, and in consideration of the benefits that you
will receive as a result of the Company’s participation in the CPP, you agree as
follows:

  (1)   No Golden Parachute Payments. The Company is prohibiting any golden
parachute payment to you during any “CPP Covered Period.” A “CPP Covered Period”
is any period during which (A) you are a senior executive officer and
(B) Treasury holds an equity or debt position acquired from the Company in the
CPP.     (2)   Recovery of Bonus and Incentive Compensation. Any bonus and
incentive compensation paid to you during a CPP Covered Period is subject to
recovery or “clawback” by the Company if the payments were based on materially
inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance
metric criteria.     (3)   Compensation Program Amendments. Each of the
Company’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements
and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements)
either currently or hereinafter in effect and including all amendments thereto
(collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to you is hereby amended to the
extent necessary to give effect to provisions (l) and (2).

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

J. Lanier Little
November 18, 2008
Page 2
In addition, the Company is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that
they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and
excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. To the extent any such
review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to you, you and the
Company agree to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

  (4)   Definitions and Interpretation. This letter shall be interpreted as
follows:

  •   “Senior executive officer” means the Company’s “senior executive officers”
as defined in subsection 111(b)(3) of EESA.     •   “Golden parachute payment”
is used with same meaning as in Section 111(b)(2)(C) of EESA.     •   “EESA”
means the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as implemented by
guidance or regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury and as published
in the Federal Register on October 20, 2008.     •   The term “Company” includes
any entities treated as a single employer with the Company under 31 C.F.R. §
30.1 (b) (as in effect on the Closing Date). You are also delivering a waiver
pursuant to the Participation Agreement, and, as between the Company and you,
the term “employer” in that waiver will be deemed to mean the Company as used in
this letter.     •   The term “CPP Covered Period” shall be limited by, and
interpreted in a manner consistent with, 31 C.F.R. § 30.11, (as in effect on the
Closing Date).     •   Provisions (1) and (2) of this letter are intended to,
and will be interpreted, administered and construed to, comply with Section 111
of EESA (and, to the maximum extent consistent with the preceding, to permit
operation of the Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms before giving
effect to this letter).

  (5)   Miscellaneous. To the extent not subject to federal law, this letter
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York. This
letter may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed
to be an original. A signature transmitted by facsimile will be deemed an
original signature.

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

J. Lanier Little
November 18, 2008
Page 3
The Board appreciates the concessions you are making and looks forward to your
continued leadership during these financially turbulent times.

            Yours sincerely,

FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
      By:   /s/ John R. Koelmel         Name:   John R. Koelmel        Title:  
President and Chief Executive Officer   

     
Intending to be legally bound, I agree with and accept the foregoing terms on
the date set forth below.
   
 
   
/s/ J. Lanier Little
   
 
J. Lanier Little
   
Date: November 18, 2008
   

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

November 18, 2008
Frank J. Polino
Executive Vice President, Operations
c/o First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
6950 South Transit Road
Lockport, New York 14095
Dear Frank,
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) anticipates entering into a
Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with the United
States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) that provides for the Company’s
participation in the Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). If
the Company does not participate or ceases at any time to participate in the
CPP, this letter shall be of no further force and effect.
For the Company to participate in the CPP and as a condition to the closing of
the investment contemplated by the Participation Agreement, the Company is
required to establish specified standards for incentive compensation to its
senior executive officers and to make changes to its compensation arrangements.
To comply with these requirements, and in consideration of the benefits that you
will receive as a result of the Company’s participation in the CPP, you agree as
follows:

  (1)   No Golden Parachute Payments. The Company is prohibiting any golden
parachute payment to you during any “CPP Covered Period.” A “CPP Covered Period”
is any period during which (A) you are a senior executive officer and
(B) Treasury holds an equity or debt position acquired from the Company in the
CPP.     (2)   Recovery of Bonus and Incentive Compensation. Any bonus and
incentive compensation paid to you during a CPP Covered Period is subject to
recovery or “clawback” by the Company if the payments were based on materially
inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance
metric criteria.     (3)   Compensation Program Amendments. Each of the
Company’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements
and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements)
either currently or hereinafter in effect and including all amendments thereto
(collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to you is hereby amended to the
extent necessary to give effect to provisions (l) and (2).

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Frank J. Polino
November 18, 2008
Page 2
In addition, the Company is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that
they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and
excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. To the extent any such
review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to you, you and the
Company agree to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

  (4)   Definitions and Interpretation. This letter shall be interpreted as
follows:

  •   “Senior executive officer” means the Company’s “senior executive officers”
as defined in subsection 111(b)(3) of EESA.     •   “Golden parachute payment”
is used with same meaning as in Section 111(b)(2)(C) of EESA.     •   “EESA”
means the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as implemented by
guidance or regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury and as published
in the Federal Register on October 20, 2008.     •   The term “Company” includes
any entities treated as a single employer with the Company under 31 C.F.R. §
30.1(b) (as in effect on the Closing Date). You are also delivering a waiver
pursuant to the Participation Agreement, and, as between the Company and you,
the term “employer” in that waiver will be deemed to mean the Company as used in
this letter.     •   The term “CPP Covered Period” shall be limited by, and
interpreted in a manner consistent with, 31 C.F.R. § 30.11 (as in effect on the
Closing Date).     •   Provisions (1) and (2) of this letter are intended to,
and will be interpreted, administered and construed to, comply with Section 111
of EESA (and, to the maximum extent consistent with the preceding, to permit
operation of the Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms before giving
effect to this letter).

  (5)   Miscellaneous. To the extent not subject to federal law, this letter
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York. This
letter may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed
to be an original. A signature transmitted by facsimile will be deemed an
original signature.

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Frank J. Polino
November 18, 2008
Page 3
The Board appreciates the concessions you are making and looks forward to your
continued leadership during these financially turbulent times.

            Yours sincerely,

FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
      By:   /s/ John R. Koelmel         Name: John R. Koelmel        Title:  
President and Chief Executive Officer   

     
Intending to be legally bound, I agree with and accept the foregoing terms on
the date set forth below.
   
 
   
/s/ Frank J. Polino
   
 
Frank J. Polino
   
Date: November 18, 2008
   

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

November 18, 2008
Daniel E. Cantara, III
Executive Vice President, Commercial Business,
   Regional President, Western New York
c/o First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
6950 South Transit Road
Lockport, New York 14095
Dear Dan,
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) anticipates entering into a
Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with the United
States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) that provides for the Company’s
participation in the Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). If
the Company does not participate or ceases at any time to participate in the
CPP, this letter shall be of no further force and effect.
For the Company to participate in the CPP and as a condition to the closing of
the investment contemplated by the Participation Agreement, the Company is
required to establish specified standards for incentive compensation to its
senior executive officers and to make changes to its compensation arrangements.
To comply with these requirements, and in consideration of the benefits that you
will receive as a result of the Company’s participation in the CPP, you agree as
follows:

  (1)   No Golden Parachute Payments. The Company is prohibiting any golden
parachute payment to you during any “CPP Covered Period.” A “CPP Covered Period”
is any period during which (A) you are a senior executive officer and
(B) Treasury holds an equity or debt position acquired from the Company in the
CPP.     (2)   Recovery of Bonus and Incentive Compensation. Any bonus and
incentive compensation paid to you during a CPP Covered Period is subject to
recovery or “clawback” by the Company if the payments were based on materially
inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance
metric criteria.     (3)   Compensation Program Amendments. Each of the
Company’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements
and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements)
either currently or hereinafter in effect and including all amendments thereto
(collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to you is hereby amended to the
extent necessary to give effect to provisions (1) and (2).

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Daniel E. Cantara, III
November 18, 2008
Page 2
In addition, the Company is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that
they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and
excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. To the extent any such
review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to you, you and the
Company agree to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

  (4)   Definitions and Interpretation. This letter shall be interpreted as
follows:

  •   “Senior executive officer” means the Company’s “senior executive officers”
as defined in subsection 111(b)(3) of EESA.     •   “Golden parachute payment”
is used with same meaning as in Section 111(b)(2)(C) of EESA.     •   “EESA”
means the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as implemented by
guidance or regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury and as published
in the Federal Register on October 20, 2008.     •   The term “Company” includes
any entities treated as a single employer with the Company under 31 C.F.R. §
30.1(b) (as in effect on the Closing Date). You are also delivering a waiver
pursuant to the Participation Agreement, and, as between the Company and you,
the term “employer” in that waiver will be deemed to mean the Company as used in
this letter.     •   The term “CPP Covered Period” shall be limited by, and
interpreted in a manner consistent with, 31 C.F.R. § 30.11 (as in effect on the
Closing Date).     •   Provisions (1) and (2) of this letter are intended to,
and will be interpreted, administered and construed to, comply with Section 111
of EESA (and, to the maximum extent consistent with the preceding, to permit
operation of the Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms before giving
effect to this letter).

  (5)   Miscellaneous. To the extent not subject to federal law, this letter
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York. This
letter may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed
to be an original. A signature transmitted by facsimile will be deemed an
original signature.

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Daniel E. Cantara, III
November 18, 2008
Page 3
The Board appreciates the concessions you are making and looks forward to your
continued leadership during these financially turbulent times.

            Yours sincerely,

FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
      By:   /s/ John R. Koelmel         Name:   John R. Koelmel        Title:  
President and Chief Executive Officer   

     
Intending to be legally bound, I agree with and accept the foregoing terms on
the date set forth below.
   
 
   
/s/ Daniel E. Cantara, III
   
 
Daniel E. Cantara, III
   
Date: November 18, 2008
   

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

November 18, 2008
Michael W. Harrington
Chief Financial Officer
c/o First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
6950 South Transit Road
Lockport, New York 14095
Dear Michael,
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company) anticipates entering into a
Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with the United
States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) that provides for the Company’s
participation in the Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). If
the Company does not participate or ceases at any time to participate in the
CPP, this letter shall be of no further force and effect.
For the Company to participate in the CPP and as a condition to the closing of
the investment contemplated by the Participation Agreement, the Company is
required to establish specified standards for incentive compensation to its
senior executive officers and to make changes to its compensation arrangements.
To comply with these requirements, and in consideration of the benefits that you
will receive as a result of the Company’s participation in the CPP, you agree as
follows:

  (1)   No Golden Parachute Payments. The Company is prohibiting any golden
parachute payment to you during any “CPP Covered Period.” A “ CPP Covered
Period” is any period during which (A) you are a senior executive officer and
(B) Treasury holds an equity or debt position acquired from the Company in the
CPP.     (2)   Recovery of Bonus and Incentive Compensation. Any bonus and
incentive compensation paid to you during a CPP Covered Period is subject to
recovery or “clawback” by the Company if the payments were based on materially
inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance
metric criteria.     (3)   Compensation Program Amendments. Each of the
Company’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements
and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements)
either currently or hereinafter in effect and including all amendments thereto
(collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to you is hereby amended to the
extent necessary to give effect to provisions (1) and (2).

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Michael W. Harrington
November 18, 2008
Page 2
In addition, the Company is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that
they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and
excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. To the extent any such
review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to you, you and the
Company agree to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

  (4)   Definitions and Interpretation. This letter shall be interpreted as
follows:

  •   “Senior executive officer” means the Company’s “senior executive officers”
as defined in subsection 111(b)(3) of EESA.     •   “Golden parachute payment”
is used with same meaning as in Section 111(b)(2)(C) of EESA.     •   “EESA”
means the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as implemented by
guidance or regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury and as published
in the Federal Register on October 20, 2008.     •   The term “Company” includes
any entities treated as a single employer with the Company under 31 C.F.R. §
30.1(b) (as in effect on the Closing Date). You are also delivering a waiver
pursuant to the Participation Agreement, and, as between the Company and you,
the term “employer” in that waiver will be deemed to mean the Company as used in
this letter.     •   The term “CPP Covered Period” shall be limited by, and
interpreted in a manner consistent with, 31 C.F.R. § 30.11 (as in effect on the
Closing Date).     •   Provisions (1) and (2) of this letter are intended to,
and will be interpreted, administered and construed to, comply with Section 111
of EESA (and, to the maximum extent consistent with the preceding, to permit
operation of the Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms before giving
effect to this letter).

  (5)   Miscellaneous. To the extent not subject to federal law, this letter
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York. This
letter may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed
to be an original. A signature transmitted by facsimile will be deemed an
original signature.

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Michael W. Harrington
November 18, 2008
Page 3
The Board appreciates the concessions you are making and looks forward to your
continued leadership during these financially turbulent times.

            Yours sincerely,

FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
      By:   /s/ John R. Koelmel         Name:   John R. Koelmel        Title:  
President and Chief Executive Officer   

     
Intending to be legally bound, I agree with and accept the foregoing terms on
the date set forth below.
   
 
   
/s/ Michael W. Harrington
   
 
Michael W. Harrington
   
Date: November 18, 2008
   

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

November 18, 2008
John R. Koelmel
President and Chief Executive Officer
c/o First Niagara Financial Group, Inc.
6950 South Transit Road
Lockport, New York 14095
Dear John,
First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”) anticipates entering into a
Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Participation Agreement”) with the United
States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) that provides for the Company’s
participation in the Treasury’s TARP Capital Purchase Program (the “CPP”). If
the Company does not participate or ceases at any time to participate in the
CPP, this letter shall be of no further force and effect.
For the Company to participate in the CPP and as a condition to the closing of
the investment contemplated by the Participation Agreement, the Company is
required to establish specified standards for incentive compensation to its
senior executive officers and to make changes to its compensation arrangements.
To comply with these requirements, and in consideration of the benefits that you
will receive as a result of the Company’s participation in the CPP, you agree as
follows:

  (1)   No Golden Parachute Payments. The Company is prohibiting any golden
parachute payment to you during any “CPP Covered Period.” A “CPP Covered Period”
is any period during which (A) you are a senior executive officer and
(B) Treasury holds an equity or debt position acquired from the Company in the
CPP.     (2)   Recovery of Bonus and Incentive Compensation. Any bonus and
incentive compensation paid to you during a CPP Covered Period is subject to
recovery or “clawback” by the Company if the payments were based on materially
inaccurate financial statements or any other materially inaccurate performance
metric criteria.     (3)   Compensation Program Amendments. Each of the
Company’s compensation, bonus, incentive and other benefit plans, arrangements
and agreements (including golden parachute, severance and employment agreements)
either currently or hereinafter in effect and including all amendments thereto
(collectively, “Benefit Plans”) with respect to you is hereby amended to the
extent necessary to give effect to provisions (1) and (2).

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

John R. Koelmel
November 18, 2008
Page 2
In addition, the Company is required to review its Benefit Plans to ensure that
they do not encourage senior executive officers to take unnecessary and
excessive risks that threaten the value of the Company. To the extent any such
review requires revisions to any Benefit Plan with respect to you, you and the
Company agree to negotiate such changes promptly and in good faith.

  (4)   Definitions and Interpretation. This letter shall be interpreted as
follows:

  •   “Senior executive officer” means the Company’s “senior executive officers”
as defined in subsection 111(b)(3) of EESA.     •   “Golden parachute payment”
is used with same meaning as in Section 111(b)(2)(C) of EESA.     •   “EESA”
means the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 as implemented by
guidance or regulation issued by the Department of the Treasury and as published
in the Federal Register on October 20, 2008.     •   The term “Company” includes
any entities treated as a single employer with the Company under 31 C.F.R. §
30.1(b) (as in effect on the Closing Date). You are also delivering a waiver
pursuant to the Participation Agreement, and, as between the Company and you,
the term “employer” in that waiver will be deemed to mean the Company as used in
this letter.     •   The term “CPP Covered Period” shall be limited by, and
interpreted in a manner consistent with, 31 C.F.R. § 30.11 (as in effect on the
Closing Date).     •   Provisions (1) and (2) of this letter are intended to,
and will be interpreted, administered and construed to, comply with Section 111
of EESA (and, to the maximum extent consistent with the preceding, to permit
operation of the Benefit Plans in accordance with their terms before giving
effect to this letter).

  (5)   Miscellaneous. To the extent not subject to federal law, this letter
will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of New York. This
letter may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed
to be an original. A signature transmitted by facsimile will be deemed an
original signature.

UST Sequence No. 9

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

John R. Koelmel
November 18, 2008
Page 3
The Board appreciates the concessions you are making and looks forward to your
continued leadership during these financially turbulent times.

            Yours sincerely,

FIRST NIAGARA FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
      By:   /s/ John Mineo         Name:   John Mineo        Title:   Senior
Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary   

     
Intending to be legally bound, I agree with and accept the foregoing terms on
the date set forth below.
   
 
   
/s/ John R. Koelmel
   
 
John R. Koelmel
   
Date: November 18, 2008
   

UST Sequence No. 9