Berkshire Bank Appoints New York Advisory Board.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ:BHLB), the holding company for Berkshire Bank (the "Bank"), announced today that the Bank has established an advisory board for its New York Region, comprised of leaders from the Albany area's business, communications and education sectors. Advisory board members will consult with the Bank's senior management and board of directors on matters related to its business activities in New York, advise the Bank on emerging regional trends and issues, and help identify opportunities for participation in community organizations and projects.

Chairing the advisory board is Wallace W. Altes, who is a director of the Company and the Bank and is currently Executive-in-Residence at the Graduate College of Union University. Mr. Altes was President and CEO of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce from 1990 to 2002.

Other members of the advisory board are Michael M. Fancher, Director of Economic Outreach, University at Albany; Tracy Metzger, President, TL Metzger & Associates LLC, Albany; Jeffrey Pfeil, President, J.W. Pfeil & Company, Saratoga Springs; James K. Reed, MD, President and CEO, Northeast Health, Troy; Arthur J. Roth, Special Consultant, Hodgson Russ LLP, Albany; Faith Takes, CEO, Empire Education Corporation, Latham and Rodger K.Wyland, Sports Director, News Channel 13, Albany.

Michael P. Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank stated, "We are very fortunate to have this advisory board of accomplished community leaders and will call upon them for their advice in many areas as we continue to grow our New York franchise. I am very appreciative of their willingness to step into this role."

Thomas C. Crowley, the Bank's New York Regional President said, "Berkshire Bank has experienced rapid growth and we continue to execute on our strategic plan to become one of the major financial institutions in the New York Region and Tech Valley. I look forward to working with Wally Altes and the other members of our advisory board in developing initiatives that promote strategic growth and support the community."

The Bank's regional headquarters are located at 41 State Street, where it also maintains a branch. Other branches in the region are located in Clifton Park, Delmar, East Greenbush, Guilderland and Oriskany Falls. The Bank previously announced plans to open branches later this year and early next year in Half Moon, Colonie, Glenville and a second branch in Guilderland. The Bank currently has 27 full-service branches and 37 ATMs throughout Northeastern New York and Western Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. is the holding company for Berkshire Bank. Established in 1846, Berkshire Bank is one of Massachusetts' oldest and largest independent banks and the largest banking institution based in Western Massachusetts. The Bank is headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts with branches serving communities throughout Western Massachusetts and Northeastern New York. The Bank is transitioning into a regional bank and is positioning itself as the financial institution of choice in its retail and commercial markets, delivering exceptional customer service and a broad array of competitively priced deposit, loan, insurance, wealth management and trust services, and investment products. For more information on Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. or Berkshire Bank, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601.