# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0000862831
**File Stem:** 0000950170-25-102038
**Filing Date:** 2025-8
**Character Count:** 16816
**Document Hash:** e426991ad49f06f99344b9332eecdcf1
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0000950170-25-102038.hdr.sgml**: 20250804

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0000950170-25-102038

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 14

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20250804

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20250804

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20250804

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0000862831
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 02 Finance
- **EIN:** 160816610
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** NY
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-289215
- **FILM NUMBER:** 251180650

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 220 LIBERTY STREET
- **CITY:** WARSAW
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 14569
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 5857861100

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 220 LIBERTY STREET
- **CITY:** WARSAW
- **STATE:** NY
- **ZIP:** 14569

**Registration No. 333-**

**As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 4, 2025**

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

___________________

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**UNDER**

**THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933**

**Financial Institutions, Inc.**

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;**New York** | &nbsp;&nbsp;**16-0816610** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;(State or Other Jurisdiction of <br>Incorporation or Organization) | &nbsp;&nbsp;(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |

---

**220 Liberty Street**

**Warsaw, New York 14569**

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

**Financial Institutions, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan** 

(Full Title of the Plan)

Copies to:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Samuel J. Burruano, Jr. | &nbsp;&nbsp;Benjamin M. Azoff, Esq. |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and  | &nbsp;&nbsp;Brendan M. Saxon, Esq. |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Corporate Secretary | &nbsp;&nbsp;Luse Gorman, PC |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Institutions, Inc. | &nbsp;&nbsp;5335 Wisconsin Ave., N.W., Suite 780 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;220 Liberty Street | &nbsp;&nbsp;Washington, DC 20015-2035 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Warsaw, New York 14569 | &nbsp;&nbsp;(202) 274-2000 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;(585) 786-1100 |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;(Name, Address and Telephone |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Number of Agent for Service) |  |

---

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Large accelerated filer ◻ | Accelerated filer ⌧ |
| Non-accelerated filer ◻  | Smaller reporting company ◻ |
| Emerging growth company ◻ |  |

---

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ◻

------

**REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SHARES**

Financial Institutions, Inc. (the "Company") is filing this Registration Statement pursuant to General Instruction E on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") to register an additional 400,000 shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share, under the Financial Institutions, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan") which further amended and restated the Financial Institutions, Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan to (a) to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan by 400,000, (b) extend the term of the Plan until May 28, 2035, and (c) to combine the limit of equity-based awards (based on grant date fair value) and the limit of cash-based awards and other fees payable to directors in any given calendar year to $300,000 for incumbent directors, and increase the combined limit to $500,000 for the chairman of the board and for new non-employee directors during their first year of service. Such additional shares are of the same class as other securities for which registration statements relating to the Plan have previously been filed and are effective.

Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 regarding Registration of Additional Securities, the contents of the Registration Statements on Form S-8 previously filed with the Commission on May 26, 2015 ([<u>File No. 333-204446</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000119312515199974/d930554ds8.htm)) and on October 29, 2021 ([<u>File No. 333-260592</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000119312521313381/0001193125-21-313381-index.html)) are hereby incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

**PART II.**

**Item 8. Exhibits.**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Regulation S-K<br>Exhibit Number | &nbsp;&nbsp;Document |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;4.1 | &nbsp;&nbsp;Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit [<u>3.1</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000136231009003662/c82382exv3w1.htm), [<u>3.2</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000136231009003662/c82382exv3w2.htm) and [<u>3.3</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000136231009003662/c82382exv3w3.htm) to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, filed with the Commission on March 12, 2009 (File No. 000-26481) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;4.2 | &nbsp;&nbsp;Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company are incorporated herein by reference to [<u>Exhibit 3.1</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000156459019023443/fisi-ex31_6.htm) to our Form 8-K filed with the Commission on June 25, 2019 (File No. 000-26481) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;5.1 | &nbsp;&nbsp;[<u>Opinion of Luse Gorman, PC</u>](fisi-ex5_1.htm)\* |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;10.1 | &nbsp;&nbsp;Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan is incorporated herein by reference to[<u>Exhibit 10.1</u>](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000095017025101991/fisi-ex10_1.htm) to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, filed with the Commission on August 4, 2025 (File No. 000-26481) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;23.1 | &nbsp;&nbsp;Consent of Luse Gorman, PC (included in [<u>Exhibit 5.1</u>](fisi-ex5_1.htm))\* |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;23.2 | &nbsp;&nbsp;[<u>Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm</u>](fisi-ex23_2.htm)\* |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;24.1 | &nbsp;&nbsp;[<u>Power of Attorney</u>](#power_of_attorney) (contained on signature page)\* |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;107 | &nbsp;&nbsp;[<u>Filing Fee Table</u>](fisi_exfilingfees.htm)\* |

---

\*Filed herewith.

------

**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Warsaw, State of New York, on the 4th day of August, 2025.

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;**FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, INC.**<br>|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;By: | &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Martin K. Birmingham* |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;Martin K. Birmingham |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;President and Chief Executive Officer  |
|  | &nbsp;&nbsp;(Duly Authorized Representative) |

---

**POWER OF ATTORNEY**

We, the undersigned directors and officers of Financial Institutions, Inc. (the "Company") hereby severally constitute and appoint Martin K. Birmingham and W. Jack Plants, II, and each of them, as our true and lawful attorneys and agents, to do any and all things in our names in the capacities indicated below which said Martin K. Birmingham and W. Jack Plants, II, may deem necessary or advisable to enable the Company to comply with the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any rules, regulations and requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, in connection with the registration of shares of common stock to be issued under the Financial Institutions, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan, including specifically, but not limited to, power and authority to sign for us in our names in the capacities indicated below the registration statement and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto; and we hereby approve, ratify and confirm all that said Martin K. Birmingham and W. Jack Plants, II, shall do or cause to be done by virtue thereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement on Form S-8 has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Signatures</u> | &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Title</u> | &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Date</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Martin K. Birmingham* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director, President and Chief Executive Officer | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Martin K. Birmingham | &nbsp;&nbsp;(*Principal Executive Officer*) |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ W. Jack Plants, II* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Executive Vice President, Chief Financial | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;W. Jack Plants, II | &nbsp;&nbsp;Officer and Treasurer <br>(*Principal Financial Officer*) |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Sandra L. Byers* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Senior Vice President and Controller | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Sandra L. Byers | &nbsp;&nbsp;(*Principal Accounting Officer*) <br>|  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Donald K. Boswell* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Donald K. Boswell |  |  |

---

------

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Signatures</u> | &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Title</u> | &nbsp;&nbsp;<u>Date</u> |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Dawn H. Burlew* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Dawn H. Burlew |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Andrew W. Dorn, Jr.* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Andrew W. Dorn, Jr. |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Robert M. Glaser* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Robert M. Glaser |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Bruce W. Harting* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Bruce W. Harting |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Susan R. Holliday* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director, Chair | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Susan R. Holliday |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Robert N. Latella* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Robert N. Latella |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Angela J. Panzarella* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Angela J. Panzarella |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Robert L. Schrader* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Robert L. Schrader |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Kim E. VanGelder* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Kim E. VanGelder |  |  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; */s/ Mark A. Zupan* | &nbsp;&nbsp;Director | &nbsp;&nbsp;August 4, 2025 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Mark A. Zupan |  |  |

---

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## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

**LUSE GORMAN, PC**

**A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION**

**ATTORNEYS AT LAW**

**5335 WISCONSIN AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 780**

**WASHINGTON, D.C. 20015**

**TELEPHONE (202) 274-2000**

**FACSIMILE (202) 362-2902**

**www.luselaw.com**

August 4, 2025

Board of Directors

Financial Institutions, Inc.

220 Liberty Street

Warsaw, New York 14569

**Re: Financial Institutions, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan**

**Registration Statement on Form S-8** 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

You have requested the opinion of this firm as to certain matters in connection with the registration of 400,000 additional shares of common stock, $0.01 par value (the "Shares"), of Financial Institutions, Inc. (the "Company") to be issued pursuant to the Financial Institutions, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Plan").

In rendering the opinion expressed herein, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction of the following: (i) the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement") to be filed with the Securities Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), on the date hereof; (ii) the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as currently in effect; (iii) the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as currently in effect; (iv) the Plan; (v) certain actions of the board of directors of the Company relating to the approval of the Plan, the filing of the Registration Statement, and certain related matters; and (vi) applicable statutes and regulations governing the Company. We have assumed the authenticity, accuracy and completeness of all documents in connection with the opinion expressed herein. We have also assumed the legal capacity and genuineness of the signatures of persons signing all documents in connection with which the opinions expressed herein are rendered. This opinion is limited to matters of New York corporate law.

Based on the foregoing, we are of the following opinion:

Following the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Shares of the Company, when issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

This opinion has been prepared solely for the use of the Company in connection with the preparation and filing of the Registration Statement, and shall not be used for any other purpose or relied upon by any other person without the prior express written consent of this firm. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion in the Registration Statement. By giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act.

---

| |
|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;Very truly yours, |
| &nbsp;&nbsp; /*s/ LUSE GORMAN, PC* |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;LUSE GORMAN, PC |

---

------

## Exhibit 23.2

**Exhibit 23.2**

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of Financial Institutions, Inc. of our reports dated March 12, 2025, relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of Financial Institutions, Inc. and Subsidiaries, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Financial Institutions, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024.

/s/ RSM US LLP

Chicago, Illinois

August 4, 2025

------

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? EX-FILING FEES

**Exhibit 107**

**Calculation of Filing** Fee Tables

**Form** S-8

(Form Type)

Financial Institutions, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

<u>Table 1: Newly Registered Securities</u>

---

| | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Security Type | Security Class Title | Fee Calculation Rule | Amount to be Registered<sup>(1)</sup> | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price Per Share<sup>(2)</sup> | Maximum Aggregate Offering Price | Fee Rate | Amount of Registration Fee |
| Equity | Common stock, $0.01 value per share | <br>457(c) and 457(h) | <br>400000 | <br>$26.46 | <br>$10584000 | <br>0.00015310 | <br>$1620.41 |
| Total Offering Amounts | Total Offering Amounts | Total Offering Amounts | Total Offering Amounts |  | $10584000 |  | $1620.41 |
| Total Fee Offsets | Total Fee Offsets | Total Fee Offsets | Total Fee Offsets |  |  |  | $0.00 |
| Net Fee Due | Net Fee Due | Net Fee Due | Net Fee Due |  |  |  | $1620.41 |

---

___________________________________________

(1)Together with an indeterminate number of additional shares that may be necessary to adjust the number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to the Financial Institutions, Inc. Second Amended and Restated 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan as a result of a stock split, stock dividend or similar adjustment of the outstanding common stock of Financial Institutions, Inc. (the "Company") pursuant to 17 C.F.R. Section 230.416(a).

(2)Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rules 457(c) and (h) under the Securities Act, based on the average of the high and low prices of the Company's common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on July 28, 2025.

<u>Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources</u>

N/A

------