Five Star Bank Celebrates Grand Opening of Western New York Regional Office

AMHERST, N.Y., September 13, 2022 — Five Star Bank (the “Bank”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Financial Institutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:FISI) (the “Company), today announced the grand opening of Five Star Bank Centre, which will serve as the Bank’s new Western New York regional administrative office as well as home to affiliate SDN Insurance Agency, LLC (“SDN”).

Located at 6215 Sheridan Drive, the 30,000 square foot space underwent significant renovations over the past year to prepare for the move of more than 100 local employees who are located here.

“Five Star Bank Centre underscores our commitment to this community and our valued local associates and sets the stage for our continued growth in the Buffalo market,” said Five Star Bank President and CEO Martin K. Birmingham. “It embodies our Five Star Fulfilled working philosophy, creating a space that promotes collaboration among our in-office, hybrid and remote associates and business partners so we can continue to provide best-in-class service and bold and innovative products to our customers.”

Five Star Bank Centre creates a destination for associates to connect with their teams, collaborate, network and innovate in flexible and meaningful ways. It features an open-office setting with ample conference rooms and undesignated offices to strike the right balance between collaboration and privacy. In line with its strong focus on associate wellbeing, the Centre features sit-stand desks, video conferencing technology in every conference room and a wellness room.

Renovations were done in an environmentally conscious manner, featuring an intentional design that fosters a greater connection to nature by maximizing natural light and utilizing live plants to naturally enhance air quality. In addition, the Bank installed lighting sensors to promote energy conservation and implemented a recycling program. Electric vehicle charging stations are available to employees free of charge.

In conjunction with the grand opening celebration of Five Star Bank Centre, the Bank announced a $5,000 donation to People, Inc., a nonprofit serving the Western New York and Greater Rochester regions. People, Inc. is committed to ensuring that individuals with disabling conditions or other special needs have the supports they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society.

“We are so appreciative of Five Star Bank’s support of our organization and our vision to create a future where all persons whose needs limit their integration into the community can reach their highest potential,” said Rhonda Frederick, People Inc. President and CEO. “We are pleased to see a community bank with deep roots in the same regions we serve investing in Western New York, both through its beautiful new Five Star Bank Centre and through its charitable giving.”

Five Star Bank has expanded its Western New York presence in recent years through strategic hires, new branch openings and complementary financial services acquisitions. In addition to Five Star Bank Centre, the Bank operates six local branch locations, two of which opened last year in the City of Buffalo at 451 Elmwood Avenue and 2222 Seneca Street. Its SDN insurance business, which also calls Five Star Bank Centre home, was strengthen by the acquisition of a local employee benefits and human resources advisory firm in 2021. Affiliate Courier Capital, which was acquired in 2016 and bolstered by the acquisition of another Buffalo-based investment advisor in 2017, operates from offices on Delaware Avenue.

Newmark Ciminelli represented Five Star Bank in an extensive search for office space and managed the long-term lease transaction at Uniland Development Company’s Sheridan Meadows Corporate Park on behalf of the Bank.