Berkshire Bank Opens Second Branch in Guilderland, New York.

New branch is bank's eighth in New York 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") (NASDAQ: BHLB), the holding company for Berkshire Bank (the "Bank") announced today that the Bank has opened its second full-service branch in Guilderland, New York, this newest one being in the Town Center Plaza at 1704 Western Avenue. Town Center Plaza is located on the southerly side of Western Avenue, directly across from the entrance to Crossgates Mall Road.

Commenting on this newest branch, Michael P. Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and the Bank stated, "The branch we opened today is our second in Guilderland, the other being located at 20 Mall, 2080 Western Avenue, where we have established a significant customer base. We are increasing our capacity to serve the people and businesses of Guilderland with this new, conveniently located office. This is also the second branch we have opened in the Capital Region since the beginning of the year. We now have eight in New York with two more planned to open in Glenville and Colonie in the coming weeks."

All deposits at the Bank in excess of the FDIC insurance limit are 100 percent insured, without exception, by the Depositors Insurance Fund. No other bank or credit union in New York offers this protection. The Bank offers a full array of financial products and services at the new Guilderland branch, including personal and business checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts, IRAs, residential and commercial mortgages, auto loans and a wide variety of other types of commercial and consumer loans, home equity loans, retirement products and wealth and investment management, drive-thru banking, and an ATM.

The Bank has a total of 29 branches and 39 ATMs throughout Northeastern New York and Western Massachusetts. Berkshire Bank's regional headquarters are located at 41 State Street in Downtown Albany, where the Bank also maintains a branch. Other branches in the region are located in Clifton Park, Delmar, East Greenbush, two in Guilderland, Halfmoon, and Oriskany Falls.

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.