---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0000950170-25-036249"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "FISI"
cik: "0000862831"
company_name: "FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC"
filed_at: "2025-03-10T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-05-25T02:34:08.533657+00:00"
event_type: "litigation"
sentiment: "negative"
materiality_score: 0.7
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# FISI settles auto lending class action for $29.5M, records $23M Q4 2024 accrual

## Summary
- Settlement covers repossession notices sent 2011-2021 to defaulting borrowers in NY and PA.
- Cash payment of $29.5M to class members plus debt release and adverse credit removal.
- Company recorded $23.0M litigation accrual ($17.1M after-tax) in Q4 2024 financials.
- Settlement subject to court approval; no admission of liability by FISI or Five Star Bank.
- FISI does not expect additional accruals or changes to previously published 2025 guidance.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0000950170-25-036249
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: FISI
- cik: 0000862831
- company_name: FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS INC
- filed_at: 2025-03-10T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: litigation
- sentiment: negative
- materiality_score: 0.7
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.7
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 1.01, 8.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000095017025036249/0000950170-25-036249-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/862831/000095017025036249/fisi-20250307.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-036249
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-036249.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0000950170-25-036249.txt

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.