First Niagara Financial Group 401(k) Plan Investment Model Portfolios

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Investment options of First Niagara Financial Group 401(k) Plan

Total Available Funds: 10

Asset Class

Ticker

Description

Others
Moderate Allocation	OAKBX	Harris Associates Investment Trust: Oakmark Equity & Income Fund; Class I Shares
Target Date 2021-2025	VTTVX	Vanguard Chester Funds: Vanguard Target Retirement 2025 Fund; Investor Class Shares
Target Date 2031-2035	VTTHX	Vanguard Chester Funds: Vanguard Target Retirement 2035 Fund; Investor Class Shares

FIXED INCOME
Intermediate-Term Bond	PTRAX	PIMCO Funds: Total Return Fund; Administrative Class Shares
Long-Term Bond	VBLTX	Vanguard Bond Index Funds: Vanguard Long-Term Bond Index Fund; Investor Shares
Short-Term Bond	VBISX	Vanguard Bond Index Funds: Vanguard Short-Term Bond Index Fund; Investor Shares

US EQUITY
SMALL BLEND	PENNX	Royce Fund: Royce Pennsylvania Mutual Fund; Investment Class Shares
LARGE BLEND	VFINX	Vanguard Index Funds: Vanguard 500 Index Fund; Investor Shares
MID-CAP BLEND	VMCIX	Vanguard Index Funds: Vanguard Mid-Cap Index Fund; Institutional Shares

INTERNATIONAL EQUITY
Foreign Large Blend	VGTSX	Vanguard STAR Funds: Vanguard Total International Stock Index Fund; Investor Shares

Investment model portfolios

We provide two types of investment model portfolios for First Niagara Financial Group 401(k) Plan participants. You can customize and follow a model portfolio in your plan account.

Types of portfolio strategies

Strategic asset allocation portfolio: It invests in a diversified portfolio of multiple assets, buy-and-hold without frequently changing the asset allocation weights.
- Suitable: For long-term (more than 15 years, preferably more than 20 years), want to be tax efficient and can withstand interim drawdown or loss as high as 50% or more.
- Pros:
  - Less error-prone
  - Infrequent rebalancing or transactions
  - Tax efficient for taxable brokerage investments
- Cons:
  - Interim loss or drawdown can be substantial
  - Possible low returns for an extended period, such as 10 years or longer
Tactical asset allocation portfolio: it invests in a diversified portfolio of multiple assets, dynamically adjust stock and bond allocations to minimize losses during market stress.
- Suitable: For long-term (more than 10 years or preferably longer) capital. Investors are willing to rebalance as frequent as monthly.
- Pros:
  - Reduce large interim loss or drawdown
  - Less sensitive to investment entry point
  - Likely to improve returns
- Cons
  - Demand more frequent rebalancing or transactions
  - Less tax efficient — more suitable in a tax-deferred account such as 401(k) or IRA
  - Can experience a period of lower returns compared to a broad-based strategic allocation or a buy-and-hold benchmark, especially in some bull markets

These portfolios are proactively monitored and rebalanced on a monthly basis when needed, ensuring it remains in line with its target allocation.

Let us know (Email us) if you need help to create a custom model portfolio for your plan.

Customize a model portfolio now

Example model portfolios

The following provides historical returns for example model portfolios with a moderate risk profile (at most 60% in stocks) and their comparison with benchmark index funds. You can customize these portfolios according to your own risk profile.

Strategic Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) strategy.

Name	YTD Return	1Yr AR	3Yr AR	5Yr AR	10Yr AR	15Yr AR	20Yr AR	Common	Inception
First Niagara Financial Group 401(k) Plan Strategic Asset Allocation – Optimal Moderate	NA	11.54%	7.85%	5.73%	8.02%	6.92%	NA	…	…
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES)	NA	14.18%	14.75%	10.62%	13.46%	8.92%	6.04%	…	…
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES)	NA	10.59%	7.97%	5.39%	7.47%	5.92%	5.39%	…	…

	Ticker/Portfolio	Last 1 Week	1 Yr	3 Yr	5 Yr	10 Yr	15 Yr	20 Yr	Common	Inception	YTD	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990	1989	1988	1987	1986	1985	1984	1983	1982	1981	1980	1979
Annualized Return (%)	First Niagara… Moderate	0.52	11.54	7.85	5.73	8.02	6.92	NA	…	…	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	19.03	-6.09	13.18	8.09	-0.81	6.51	14.36	12.82	-1.58	16.15	24.00	-24.59	8.24	11.87	9.59	14.52	23.60	-4.24	4.00	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	0.92	14.18	14.75	10.62	13.46	8.92	6.04	…	…	NA	17.72	24.84	26.12	-18.24	28.53	18.74	31.33	-4.55	21.66	11.83	1.23	13.52	32.17	15.82	1.96	14.91	26.52	-37.02	5.39	15.64	4.77	10.74	28.50	-22.17	-12.03	-9.05	21.08	28.62	33.18	22.87	37.45	1.18	10.15	8.24	32.05	-3.33	28.37	14.92	3.97	9.30	22.60	3.67	17.07	19.25	-8.55	27.89	-2.07
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	0.57	10.59	7.97	5.39	7.47	5.92	5.39	…	…	NA	16.26	10.28	15.51	-16.01	10.08	13.59	19.30	-6.28	14.86	7.09	-2.21	6.38	14.73	9.78	0.12	13.14	20.35	-26.49	7.21	13.30	5.68	11.76	22.40	-10.34	-4.78	1.27	14.09	21.59	17.90	10.77	26.58	2.04	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Sharpe Ratio	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	2.68	1.03	0.74	0.84	NA	NA	…	…	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	2.68	-0.85	2.90	0.94	-0.10	1.01	1.99	1.61	-0.11	1.35	1.37	-1.14	0.54	1.10	1.15	1.88	2.83	-0.49	0.16	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	2.27	1.35	0.68	0.77	NA	NA	…	…	2.01	0.80	1.67	1.73	-0.82	2.17	0.53	2.39	-0.35	3.16	0.89	0.08	1.19	2.90	1.25	0.08	0.82	0.97	-0.92	0.14	1.22	0.24	0.88	1.63	-0.90	-0.68	-0.60	0.97	1.23	1.61	1.62	4.31	-0.19	0.90	0.57	1.91	-0.55	1.71	0.59	-0.01	0.30	1.47	-0.26	0.79	0.63	-1.30	1.17	-3.84
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	2.12	1.29	0.44	0.65	NA	NA	…	…	1.74	1.36	0.87	1.45	-1.22	1.32	0.70	2.77	-0.87	3.75	0.83	-0.26	1.01	2.16	1.23	0.01	1.18	1.12	-0.98	0.39	1.34	0.49	1.49	2.09	-0.75	-0.59	-0.24	1.06	1.56	1.56	0.91	4.18	4.60	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Standard Deviation(%)	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	6.56	6.81	7.48	8.91	NA	NA	…	…	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	6.56	8.74	4.32	8.39	8.41	6.43	7.20	7.95	14.71	11.93	17.42	22.32	9.67	7.77	6.48	7.21	8.10	10.80	10.53	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	11.89	14.81	16.89	18.11	NA	NA	…	…	13.52	18.66	12.67	13.09	24.19	13.11	34.69	12.48	17.11	6.68	13.11	15.51	11.39	11.07	12.74	23.36	18.07	27.22	40.99	16.02	10.04	10.29	11.10	17.04	25.96	21.55	22.20	18.17	20.48	18.21	11.77	7.77	9.92	8.83	9.93	14.69	16.06	13.09	17.07	33.80	16.55	11.67	12.80	13.62	18.09	14.61	16.53	23.80
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	8.19	8.90	10.01	10.31	NA	NA	…	…	10.15	9.89	7.69	8.26	14.34	7.62	19.08	6.43	8.81	3.80	8.31	8.51	6.28	6.80	7.99	14.68	11.10	18.01	27.95	10.37	7.43	6.96	7.25	10.38	15.37	12.42	12.30	10.07	11.65	9.10	7.74	5.41	15.57	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Draw Down(%)	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	3.33	12.38	12.38	14.93	NA	NA	…	…	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	3.33	12.38	1.61	6.56	8.52	5.14	6.81	6.69	14.93	8.83	17.77	34.97	6.40	7.97	4.28	6.34	7.05	16.34	12.35	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	8.92	18.76	24.59	33.83	NA	NA	…	…	8.92	18.76	8.45	9.97	24.59	5.14	33.83	6.63	19.40	2.60	10.29	12.05	7.30	5.59	9.60	18.71	15.66	27.17	47.73	9.88	7.47	7.01	7.47	13.79	33.02	29.18	16.55	11.81	19.20	10.79	7.45	2.50	8.48	4.84	5.63	5.57	19.19	7.35	7.24	33.08	11.63	7.51	10.58	7.02	13.21	15.61	16.03	2.40
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	6.64	9.62	22.29	22.43	NA	NA	…	…	6.64	9.62	4.17	8.15	21.74	3.53	22.43	3.12	11.47	1.14	6.20	8.34	4.70	5.67	6.27	12.90	8.64	19.61	36.81	6.11	6.13	4.74	5.89	8.91	20.06	17.93	8.77	6.26	11.99	6.02	4.75	1.82	1.89	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Yield(%)	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	2.47	1.47	2.05	2.72	NA	NA	…	…	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	2.47	1.47	0.41	3.85	2.00	3.11	3.40	3.89	2.18	3.82	3.12	2.47	3.17	2.85	3.81	4.02	4.21	3.93	4.93	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	0.00	1.18	1.60	1.52	2.78	3.91	3.46	…	…	0.27	1.20	1.41	1.69	1.26	1.48	2.12	2.28	1.81	2.00	2.14	1.97	1.96	2.19	2.30	1.92	1.88	2.45	1.88	1.91	1.83	1.79	1.91	1.71	1.28	1.08	0.97	2.11	1.93	2.77	2.64	3.14	3.13	3.83	3.10	5.86	3.71	4.46	4.31	2.79	3.90	4.71	4.49	5.04	5.34	4.64	5.79	0.00
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	0.00	5.51	6.00	4.34	4.54	4.38	4.18	…	…	0.00	5.80	7.43	4.45	2.18	4.11	3.77	2.85	2.41	2.40	2.34	2.10	2.20	2.14	2.47	2.22	2.38	2.79	2.66	3.04	2.89	2.53	3.74	2.48	2.67	2.88	6.36	5.93	7.27	3.78	3.63	3.65	2.91	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA

Data as of 10/31/2019, Common starting date is 12/31/2000

Tactical Asset Allocation Model Portfolio

The following portfolio is based on the MyPlanIQ Tactical Asset Allocation (TAA) strategy.

Name	YTD Return	1Yr AR	3Yr AR	5Yr AR	10Yr AR	15Yr AR	20Yr AR	Common	Inception
First Niagara Financial Group 401(k) Plan Tactical Asset Allocation Moderate	NA	23.86%	1.64%	5.88%	3.86%	4.48%	5.33%	…	…
VFINX (VANGUARD 500 INDEX FUND INVESTOR SHARES)	NA	37.82%	8.86%	15.20%	12.89%	14.04%	10.46%	…	…
VSMGX (VANGUARD LIFESTRATEGY MODERATE GROWTH FUND INVESTOR SHARES)	NA	22.89%	2.25%	6.63%	6.01%	7.19%	6.10%	…	…

	Ticker/Portfolio	Last 1 Week	1 Yr	3 Yr	5 Yr	10 Yr	15 Yr	20 Yr	Common	Inception	YTD	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009	2008	2007	2006	2005	2004	2003	2002	2001	2000	1999	1998	1997	1996	1995	1994	1993	1992	1991	1990	1989	1988	1987	1986	1985	1984	1983	1982	1981	1980	1979
Annualized Return (%)	First Niagara… Moderate	-1.05	23.86	1.64	5.88	3.86	4.48	5.33	…	…	NA	0.25	8.74	13.72	-16.18	10.13	13.87	6.07	-4.76	10.18	4.03	-4.57	2.30	11.64	5.25	2.36	4.97	13.34	-2.14	9.12	13.86	3.82	10.44	19.58	9.35	7.31	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	-1.79	37.82	8.86	15.20	12.89	14.04	10.46	…	…	NA	17.72	24.84	26.12	-18.24	28.53	18.74	31.33	-4.55	21.66	11.83	1.23	13.52	32.17	15.82	1.96	14.91	26.52	-37.02	5.39	15.64	4.77	10.74	28.50	-22.17	-12.03	-9.05	21.08	28.62	33.18	22.87	37.45	1.18	10.15	8.24	32.05	-3.33	28.37	14.92	3.97	9.30	22.60	3.67	17.07	19.25	-8.55	27.89	-2.07
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	-1.02	22.89	2.25	6.63	6.01	7.19	6.10	…	…	NA	16.26	10.28	15.51	-16.01	10.08	13.59	19.30	-6.28	14.86	7.09	-2.21	6.38	14.73	9.78	0.12	13.14	20.35	-26.49	7.21	13.30	5.68	11.76	22.40	-10.34	-4.78	1.27	14.09	21.59	17.90	10.77	26.58	2.04	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Sharpe Ratio	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	0.40	-0.21	0.30	0.26	NA	NA	…	…	NA	0.03	0.27	1.08	-1.21	1.25	1.81	1.05	-0.89	1.86	0.93	-0.91	0.44	1.89	0.96	0.28	0.50	1.66	-0.48	0.64	1.46	0.30	1.38	3.62	1.72	0.93	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	2.27	1.35	0.68	0.77	NA	NA	…	…	2.01	0.80	1.67	1.73	-0.82	2.17	0.53	2.39	-0.35	3.16	0.89	0.08	1.19	2.90	1.25	0.08	0.82	0.97	-0.92	0.14	1.22	0.24	0.88	1.63	-0.90	-0.68	-0.60	0.97	1.23	1.61	1.62	4.31	-0.19	0.90	0.57	1.91	-0.55	1.71	0.59	-0.01	0.30	1.47	-0.26	0.79	0.63	-1.30	1.17	-3.84
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	2.12	1.29	0.44	0.65	NA	NA	…	…	1.74	1.36	0.87	1.45	-1.22	1.32	0.70	2.77	-0.87	3.75	0.83	-0.26	1.01	2.16	1.23	0.01	1.18	1.12	-0.98	0.39	1.34	0.49	1.49	2.09	-0.75	-0.59	-0.24	1.06	1.56	1.56	0.91	4.18	4.60	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Standard Deviation(%)	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	8.05	10.85	9.76	7.81	NA	NA	…	…	NA	6.43	8.10	8.74	14.51	8.09	7.55	4.43	6.80	5.15	4.10	5.04	5.23	6.13	5.40	8.33	9.70	7.99	6.32	9.56	7.23	5.42	6.89	5.22	4.80	5.38	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	11.89	14.81	16.89	18.11	NA	NA	…	…	13.52	18.66	12.67	13.09	24.19	13.11	34.69	12.48	17.11	6.68	13.11	15.51	11.39	11.07	12.74	23.36	18.07	27.22	40.99	16.02	10.04	10.29	11.10	17.04	25.96	21.55	22.20	18.17	20.48	18.21	11.77	7.77	9.92	8.83	9.93	14.69	16.06	13.09	17.07	33.80	16.55	11.67	12.80	13.62	18.09	14.61	16.53	23.80
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	8.19	8.90	10.01	10.31	NA	NA	…	…	10.15	9.89	7.69	8.26	14.34	7.62	19.08	6.43	8.81	3.80	8.31	8.51	6.28	6.80	7.99	14.68	11.10	18.01	27.95	10.37	7.43	6.96	7.25	10.38	15.37	12.42	12.30	10.07	11.65	9.10	7.74	5.41	15.57	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Draw Down(%)	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	4.45	22.22	23.20	23.20	NA	NA	…	…	NA	0.51	4.34	9.29	22.69	3.55	8.50	3.18	9.99	3.20	2.51	7.14	4.31	5.34	4.12	7.60	8.32	4.24	7.99	6.58	7.32	4.28	6.49	3.72	2.61	4.57	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	8.92	18.76	24.59	33.83	NA	NA	…	…	8.92	18.76	8.45	9.97	24.59	5.14	33.83	6.63	19.40	2.60	10.29	12.05	7.30	5.59	9.60	18.71	15.66	27.17	47.73	9.88	7.47	7.01	7.47	13.79	33.02	29.18	16.55	11.81	19.20	10.79	7.45	2.50	8.48	4.84	5.63	5.57	19.19	7.35	7.24	33.08	11.63	7.51	10.58	7.02	13.21	15.61	16.03	2.40
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	NA	6.64	9.62	22.29	22.43	NA	NA	…	…	6.64	9.62	4.17	8.15	21.74	3.53	22.43	3.12	11.47	1.14	6.20	8.34	4.70	5.67	6.27	12.90	8.64	19.61	36.81	6.11	6.13	4.74	5.89	8.91	20.06	17.93	8.77	6.26	11.99	6.02	4.75	1.82	1.89	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
Yield(%)	First Niagara… Moderate	NA	3.30	2.81	3.07	2.98	NA	NA	…	…	NA	NA	0.89	3.11	2.46	1.99	4.21	3.42	1.57	0.35	3.34	4.75	4.13	2.60	7.16	1.97	4.40	5.50	4.05	3.32	3.97	3.56	4.10	4.03	7.35	8.32	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA
	VFINX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	0.00	1.18	1.60	1.52	2.78	3.91	3.46	…	…	0.27	1.20	1.41	1.69	1.26	1.48	2.12	2.28	1.81	2.00	2.14	1.97	1.96	2.19	2.30	1.92	1.88	2.45	1.88	1.91	1.83	1.79	1.91	1.71	1.28	1.08	0.97	2.11	1.93	2.77	2.64	3.14	3.13	3.83	3.10	5.86	3.71	4.46	4.31	2.79	3.90	4.71	4.49	5.04	5.34	4.64	5.79	0.00
	VSMGX (VANGUA…R SHARES)	0.00	5.51	6.00	4.34	4.54	4.38	4.18	…	…	0.00	5.80	7.43	4.45	2.18	4.11	3.77	2.85	2.41	2.40	2.34	2.10	2.20	2.14	2.47	2.22	2.38	2.79	2.66	3.04	2.89	2.53	3.74	2.48	2.67	2.88	6.36	5.93	7.27	3.78	3.63	3.65	2.91	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA	NA

Data as of 10/31/2024, Common starting date is 12/31/2000

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