SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 11, 2011

NEWALLIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE	1-32007	52-2407114
(State or other jurisdiction of	(Commission File Number)	(I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)		identification number)

195 Church Street

New Haven, Connecticut 06510

(203)787-1111

(address and telephone number)

N/A

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 8.01	Other Events
Item 9.01	Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1:	PRESS RELEASE

Item 8.01	Other Events.

On March 11, 2011, NewAlliance Bancshares, Inc. (“NewAlliance”) and First Niagara Financial Group, Inc. (“First Niagara”) issued a press release announcing the election deadline for stockholders who held NewAlliance shares as of March 4, 2011 to elect to receive cash, shares of First Niagara common stock or a combination thereof, subject to certain adjustment, election and allocation procedures. The election deadline for such NewAlliance stockholders to make their election is no later than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on April 5, 2011. A copy of the press release announcing the election deadline is being filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.
Item 9.01	Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a)	Not applicable.
(b)	Not applicable.
(c)	Not applicable.
(d)	Exhibits.

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press Release dated March 11, 2011.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	NEWALLIANCE BANCSHARES, INC.

	By: /s/ Glenn I. MacInnes
	Glenn I. MacInnes
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer


Date: March 11, 2011

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number	Description

99.1:	Press Release dated March 11, 2011.

NEWALLIANCE BANCSHARES INC 8-K