Exhibit 32

Certification pursuant to

18 U.S.C. Section 1350,

as adopted pursuant to

Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

John R. Koelmel, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Michael W. Harrington, Chief Financial Officer of First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (the “Company”), each certify in his capacity as an officer of the Company that he has reviewed the Quarterly Report of the Company on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and that to the best of his knowledge:

1. the report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. the information contained in the report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

The purpose of this statement is solely to comply with Title 18, Chapter 63, Section 1350 of the United States Code, as amended by Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Date: November 6, 2008	/s/ John R. Koelmel
	John R. Koelmel
	President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: November 6, 2008	/s/ Michael W. Harrington
	Michael W. Harrington
	Chief Financial Officer