Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: FISI) unveils new buyback for up to 1,006,379 shares

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Financial Institutions, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the buyback of up to 1,006,379 shares of common stock, which is described as approximately 5% of its current outstanding common shares. The new program became effective on September 18, 2025 and replaces the prior repurchase program authorized in June 2022.

The company may repurchase shares in open market or private transactions, including block trades or under Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, with no stated expiration date. Any repurchases will be made at management’s discretion based on factors such as stock price, market conditions, regulatory requirements, alternative uses of capital, trading volume, and the company’s financial performance, and the Board may extend, modify, or discontinue the program at any time.

Positive

• New share repurchase authorization: Board approves buybacks of up to 1,006,379 common shares, described as approximately 5% of current outstanding shares, potentially enhancing per-share metrics if executed.

Negative

• None.

Insights

Equity Capital Management Analyst

New buyback authorizes repurchase of up to 5% of FISI’s common shares.

Financial Institutions, Inc. has authorized a new share repurchase program for up to 1,006,379 common shares, described as approximately 5% of current shares outstanding. This replaces the prior program from June 2022 and has no expiration date, giving the company flexibility to execute repurchases over time.

Repurchases may occur via open market or private transactions, including block trades and Rule 10b5-1 trading plans, and will follow Rule 10b-18 and other legal requirements. Actual buybacks are discretionary and will depend on factors such as trading price, market conditions, corporate and regulatory requirements, trading volume, and the company’s financial performance.

The program does not obligate the company to repurchase any minimum amount of stock, and the Board can extend, modify, or discontinue it at any time. The practical impact for shareholders will depend on how aggressively management uses this authorization relative to other capital priorities discussed in future company disclosures.

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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 18, 2025

Financial Institutions, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

New York			0-26481	16-0816610
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)			(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)
220 Liberty Street
Warsaw, New York				14569
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)				(Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: 585 786-1100

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share		FISI		Nasdaq Global Select Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.

On September 22, 2025, Financial Institutions, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that its Board of Directors (“Board”) has approved a new share repurchase program for up to 1,006,379 shares of its common stock, or approximately 5% of the Company’s current outstanding common shares. Effective September 18, 2025, the new share repurchase program replaces and terminates the prior share repurchase program authorized by the Board in June 2022.

The new repurchase program permits shares to be repurchased in open market transactions or private transactions, through block trades or pursuant to any trading plan that may be adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”). The repurchase program has no expiration date.

Repurchases, if any, will be made at management’s discretion at prices management considers to be attractive and in the best interests of both the Company and its shareholders, subject to the availability of stock, general market conditions, the trading price of the stock, alternative uses for capital, and the Company’s financial performance. Open market purchases will be subject to the limitations set forth in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act and other applicable legal requirements.

The timing and number of shares repurchased, if any, will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, market conditions, trading volume and other corporate liquidity priorities. The repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any shares and it may be extended, modified or discontinued by the Board at any time.

A copy of the press release announcing the approval of the new share repurchase program and discontinuance of the existing share repurchase program is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit Number		Description		Location
99.1		Press Release issued by Financial Institutions, Inc. on September 22, 2025		Filed Herewith
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

			Financial Institutions, Inc.
Date:	September 22, 2025	By:	/s/ W. Jack Plants, II
			W. Jack Plants, II Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer      and Treasurer

FAQ

What did Financial Institutions, Inc. (FISI) announce in this 8-K?

Financial Institutions, Inc. reported that its Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program authorizing the buyback of up to 1,006,379 shares of its common stock, replacing the prior program from June 2022.

How large is the new FISI share repurchase program?

The new program authorizes the repurchase of up to 1,006,379 shares of Financial Institutions, Inc. common stock, which the company describes as approximately 5% of its current outstanding common shares.

How and where can FISI shares be repurchased under the new program?

Shares may be repurchased in open market transactions or private transactions, including block trades or under trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act, subject to Rule 10b-18 and other legal requirements.

Does the Financial Institutions, Inc. repurchase program have an expiration date?

The company states that the new share repurchase program has no expiration date, although the Board may extend, modify, or discontinue it at any time.

Is Financial Institutions, Inc. obligated to repurchase the full 1,006,379 shares?

No. The company specifies that the repurchase program does not obligate it to repurchase any shares. The timing and number of shares repurchased, if any, will depend on factors such as price, market conditions, corporate and regulatory requirements, trading volume, and other corporate liquidity priorities.

What happened to FISI’s previous share repurchase program?

Effective September 18, 2025, the new repurchase program replaces and terminates the prior share repurchase program that was authorized by the Board in June 2022.