-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GXtd3cYi7JXjPrpH4Ix5HM/GIKJZ3knsOgAbwJFEmT/rzAEIydmbylxlmwHXGc7k
 UJX2DEsh2usI9Z2IyDH56g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001005477-03-000600.txt : 20030508
<SEC-HEADER>0001005477-03-000600.hdr.sgml : 20030508
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20030508171453
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001005477-03-000600
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20030507
FILED AS OF DATE:		20030508

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STITT JAMES E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001223217

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26481
		FILM NUMBER:		03688674

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

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000862831
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS [6021]
		IRS NUMBER:				160816610
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 LIBERTY STREET
		CITY:			WARSAW
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14569
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7167861100

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		220 LIBERTY STREET
		CITY:			WARSAW
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			14569
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar123.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

<documentType>3</documentType>
    <periodOfReport>2003-05-07</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>
<issuer>        <issuerCik>0000862831</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC</issuerName>
<issuerTradingSymbol>FISI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
    <reportingOwnerId>
        <rptOwnerCik>0001223217</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STITT JAMES E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>  </rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>  </rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>  </rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>  </rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>  </rptOwnerZipCode>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
<reportingOwnerRelationship>
        <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
        <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
        <isOther>0</isOther>
    </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Common Stock</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <transactionAmounts>
            <transactionShares>
                <value>200</value>
            </transactionShares>
        </transactionAmounts>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </nonDerivativeSecurity>

    <derivativeSecurity>
        <securityTitle>
            <value>Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
        </securityTitle>
        <conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <value>22.51</value>
        </conversionOrExercisePrice>
        <exerciseDate>
            <value>2004-02-18</value>
            <footnoteId id="F1"/>
        </exerciseDate>
        <expirationDate>
            <value>2013-02-18</value>
        </expirationDate>
        <underlyingSecurity>
            <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </underlyingSecurityTitle>
            <underlyingSecurityShares>
                <value>200</value>
            </underlyingSecurityShares>
        </underlyingSecurity>
        <ownershipNature>
            <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <value>D</value>
            </directOrIndirectOwnership>
        </ownershipNature>
    </derivativeSecurity>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The option vests and becomes exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning on February 18, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sonia M. Dumbleton</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-05-08</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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