First Niagara Financial Group Inc. announced that the company's board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of eight cents ($0.08) per share on outstanding FNFG common stock. The company's board of directors also declared a quarterly preferred stock dividend of $0.539063 per share on its fixed-to-floating rate perpetual non-cumulative preferred stock, Series B. Both dividends will be payable on May 15, 2013 to shareholders of record on May 3, 2013.

annual meeting of shareholders

First Niagara Financial Group Inc. reported earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2012. For the quarter, the company's total interest income was $295,601,000 compared to $290,780,000 a year ago. Net interest income was $266,130,000 compared to $242,371,000 a year ago. Net interest income after provision was $245,930,000 compared to $222,371,000 a year ago. Income before income tax was $97,576,000 compared to $92,101,000 a year ago. Net income was $67,285,000 compared to $59,865,000 a year ago. Net income available to common stockholders was $59,738,000 compared to $54,750,000 a year ago. Earnings per diluted share was $0.17 compared to $0.16 a year ago. Return on average assets was 0.74% compared to 0.73% a year ago. Return on average equity was 5.50% compared to 4.96% a year ago. Return on average tangible equity was 11.62% compared to 7.90% a year ago. Return on average common equity was 5.24% compared to 4.88% a year ago. Return on average tangible common equity was 12.05% compared to 8.12% a year ago. Total net interest income on operating basis (non-GAAP) was $266,130,000 compared to $242,371,000 a year ago. Net operating income (non-GAAP) was $67,285,000 compared to $70,053,000 a year ago. Net operating income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP) was $59,738,000 compared to $64,938,000 a year ago. Pre-tax, pre-provision income (non-GAAP) was $117,776,000 compared to $127,774,000 a year ago. Book value per share as on March 31, 2013 was $13.19 compared to $13.00 a year ago. Tangible book value per share as on March 31, 2013 was $5.84 compared to $7.86 a year ago. Non GAAP earnings per diluted share was $0.17 compared to $0.19 a year ago. Non GAAP return on average assets was 0.74% compared to 0.85% a year ago. Non GAAP return on average equity was 5.50% compared to 5.81% a year ago. For the quarter, the company's total net loan charge-offs was $10,320,000 compared to $13,254,000 a year ago.