<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001104659-15-057519.txt : 20150807
<SEC-HEADER>0001104659-15-057519.hdr.sgml : 20150807
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20150807101610
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001104659-15-057519
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	8-K
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		3
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20150807
ITEM INFORMATION:		Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets
ITEM INFORMATION:		Financial Statements and Exhibits
FILED AS OF DATE:		20150807
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20150807

FILER:

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001108134
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SAVINGS INSTITUTIONS, NOT FEDERALLY CHARTERED [6036]
		IRS NUMBER:				043510455
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		8-K
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15781
		FILM NUMBER:		151035465

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 NORTH ST.
		CITY:			PITTSFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01201
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4134435601

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		24 NORTH ST
		CITY:			PITTSFIELD
		STATE:			MA
		ZIP:			01201
</SEC-HEADER>
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<TYPE>8-K
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<FILENAME>a15-17191_18k.htm
<DESCRIPTION>8-K
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">PURSUANT TO SECTION&nbsp;13 OR 15(D)&nbsp;OF</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): <b>August&nbsp;7, 2015</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP,&nbsp;INC.</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">001-15781</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">04-3510455</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other   Jurisdiction)<br>   of Incorporation)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File No.)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(I.R.S. Employer<br>   Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">24   North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">01201</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Address of Principal   Executive Offices)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code:&#160; <b>(413) 443-5601</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Not Applicable</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):</font></p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 27.0pt;text-indent:-27.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt 27.0pt;text-indent:-27.0pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 2.01&nbsp;Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">On August&nbsp;7, 2015, Berkshire Hills Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;), the holding company of Berkshire Bank, announced the completion of the acquisition of Firestone Financial Corp. (&#147;Firestone&#148;) as an operating subsidiary of Berkshire Bank. Pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Firestone, the Company, the Bank, Jacob Acquisition LLC (&#147;Merger Sub&#148;), and David S. Cohen, solely in his capacity as the representative for the Firestone stockholders (the &#147;Representative&#148;), dated May&nbsp;21, 2015 (the &#147;Merger Agreement&#148;), Firestone merged with and into the Merger Sub, with the Merger Sub as the surviving entity to be known as &#147;Firestone Financial, LLC&#148; (the &#147;Surviving Entity&#148;). The Surviving Entity will continue the business operations of Firestone, and the current executive officers and employees of Firestone will remain in the same positions with the Surviving Entity.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, the total merger consideration is based upon 130% of Firestone&#146;s adjusted tangible book value at the closing of the transaction and consists of 75% Company common stock and 25% cash (the &#147;Merger Consideration&#148;).</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Based upon the estimated closing statement, Firestone stockholders will receive the following merger consideration for each share of Firestone common stock:</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>0.566 shares of Company common stock;</p>
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<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>$5.25 in cash; and</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt .5in;text-indent:-.25in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font>Cash for any fractional shares of Company common stock, based on $27.847 for each whole share.</p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As described in the Merger Agreement, the Company and the Representative have placed into escrow with an escrow agent potential additional merger consideration, which consists of $500,000 in cash and 53,865 shares of Company common stock (valued at $1,500,000), for purposes of satisfying any adjustments to the total merger consideration based on Firestone&#146;s final calculation of its tangible book value, which will be provided to the Company on or before September&nbsp;21, 2015. If there are positive adjustments to Firestone&#146;s final calculation of its tangible book value, Firestone stockholders will be entitled to an additional distribution of cash and shares of Company common stock (on the 25% cash/75%common stock basis) representing the positive adjustment. If there are negative adjustments to Firestone&#146;s final calculation of its tangible book value, the amount of such adjustment will be repaid to the Company through the escrow agent and any remaining amount will be distributed to Firestone stockholders.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Any potential additional merger consideration will be paid to Firestone stockholders on or about September&nbsp;21, 2015.&#160; At that time, Firestone stockholders will receive additional materials describing the additional merger consideration to be received.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The Company also provided $500,000 in cash to the Representative to satisfy potential future obligations of the Representative, including expenses arising from the defense or enforcement of claims in connection with the determination of the tangible book value of</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Firestone and the indemnification of the Representative. This amount will be retained by the Representative for such time as he determines in his sole discretion, and any amounts distributed to Firestone stockholders from this amount will be distributed pro rata to the Firestone stockholders.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">As part of the Merger Agreement, Firestone notified the holders of its subordinated promissory notes (the &#147;Notes&#148;) that such holders may elect to convert the convertible portion of the Notes to Firestone common stock. At the completion of the Firestone acquisition, all holders of the convertible portion of the Notes had elected to convert to Firestone common stock and these holders received the Merger Consideration. Firestone redeemed the non-convertible portion of the Notes at closing and the outstanding principal balance and any unpaid interest were paid in cash to these holders.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The preceding paragraph is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Merger Agreement, incorporated by reference to Exhibit&nbsp;2.1 to this Form&nbsp;8-K.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A news release detailing the above was issued by the Company and is filed as Exhibit&nbsp;99.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item   9.01.</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial   Statements and Exhibits.</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .45in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(a)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Not Applicable.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 30.25pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .45in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(b)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Not Applicable.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .45in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .45in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(c)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Not Applicable.</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .45in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 30.25pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(d)</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibits</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt .45in;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Description</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.82%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;2.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Agreement and Plan of   Merger by and among Firestone Financial Corp., Berkshire Hills   Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc., Berkshire Bank, Jacob Acquisition LLC, and David S.   Cohen, solely in his capacity as the representative for the Firestone   securityholders, dated as of May&nbsp;21, 2015 (incorporated by reference to   Exhibit&nbsp;2.1 to the Berkshire Hills Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc. Current Report on Form&nbsp;8-K,   filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May&nbsp;22, 2015   (Commission File No.&nbsp;001-15781))</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="2%" valign="bottom" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:2.82%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
<td width="71%" valign="top" style="padding:0in 0in 0in 0in;width:71.66%;">
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Exhibit&nbsp;99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">News Release dated   August&nbsp;7, 2015</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="font-size:10.0pt;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;">4<a name="PB_4_060452_5335"></a></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">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.</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">BERKSHIRE   HILLS BANCORP,&nbsp;INC.</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&nbsp;</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">DATE:   August&nbsp;7, 2015</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">By:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/   Michael P. Daly</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Michael   P. Daly</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">President   and Chief Executive Officer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit 99.1</font></b></p>
<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman"><img width="367" height="120" src="g171911mmi001.gif" alt="GRAPHIC"></font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Firestone Financial Joins Berkshire Hills</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">PITTSFIELD, MA &#151; August&nbsp;7, 2015 &#151; Berkshire Hills Bancorp,&nbsp;Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) has completed the acquisition of Firestone Financial Corp. effective today. Firestone is now known as &#147;Firestone Financial, LLC&#148; and operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Bank.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#147;We are pleased to welcome the customers, employees, and shareholders of Firestone to America&#146;s Most Exciting Bank,&#148; stated Berkshire President and CEO, Michael P. Daly.&#160; &#147;This combination increases the client offerings for both companies, diversifies our loan portfolio and provides a valuable future growth channel.&#160; We look forward to helping Firestone achieve its goals and to facilitating its continued growth.&#148;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">The acquisition is priced at 130% of Firestone&#146;s adjusted tangible book value as of August&nbsp;7, 2015.&#160; The deal value is estimated to be approximately $53 million, with 75% of the consideration being paid in BHLB common stock and 25% being paid in cash.&#160; The acquisition is expected to be modestly accretive to Berkshire&#146;s earnings per share in 2016, and to benefit profitability and capital metrics.&#160; The transaction is expected to be $0.08 dilutive to Berkshire&#146;s tangible book value per share, with a related payback period of approximately 2.5 years.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Berkshire now has over $7.5 billion in assets and 93 branches serving New England and Central New York, along with loan production offices in the Boston area.&#160; As a result of the merger, Berkshire&#146;s outstanding common stock has increased to approximately 30.9 million shares, resulting in a market capitalization of approximately $900 million.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">BACKGROUND</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank &#151; America&#146;s Most Exciting Bank&#174;. The Company has over $7.5 billion in assets and 93 full-service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">This document contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.&#160; There are several factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such factors, please see Berkshire&#146;s most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the</font></p>
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<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC&#146;s website at www.sec.gov.&#160; Berkshire does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CONTACTS</font></b></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">Investor Relations Contact</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">Allison O&#146;Rourke; Senior Vice President,&nbsp;Investor Relations Officer; 413-236-3149</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">Media Contact</font></p>
<p style="border:none;margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="border:none;font-size:10.0pt;">Elizabeth Mach; Vice President, Marketing; 413-445-8390</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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end
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
