BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC - Quarter Report: 2016 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q



ý	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2016



o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-15781

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		04-3510455
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts		01201
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (413) 236-3149

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one)

Large Accelerated Filer ý Accelerated Filer o Non-Accelerated Filer o Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes o No ý

The Registrant had 31,173,020 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of November 4, 2016.

Table of Contents

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

INDEX



				Page

PART I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015			4

	Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015			5

	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015			6

	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015			7

	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 and 2015			8

	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
		Note 1	Basis of Presentation	10
		Note 2	Acquisition	14
		Note 3	Trading Security	16
		Note 4	Securities Available for Sale and Held to Maturity	17
		Note 5	Loans	22
		Note 6	Loan Loss Allowance	35
		Note 7	Deposits	42
		Note 8	Borrowed Funds	42
		Note 9	Capital Ratios and Shareholders’ Equity	44
		Note 10	Earnings per Share	49
		Note 11	Stock-Based Compensation Plans	49
		Note 12	Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	50
		Note 13	Fair Value Measurements	57
		Note 14	Net Interest Income after Provision for Loan Losses	67
		Note 15	Subsequent Events	67

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			68

	Selected Financial Data			70

	Average Balances and Average Yields/Rates			72

	Non-GAAP Financial Measures			74

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			89

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures			91

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PART II.	OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	92

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	92

Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	94

Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	94

Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	94

Item 5.	Other Information	94

Item 6.	Exhibits	95

Signatures		96

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PART I

ITEM 1. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS



	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
(In thousands, except share data)	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Assets
Cash and due from banks	$	61,107		$	72,918
Short-term investments	8,178			30,644
Total cash and cash equivalents	69,285			103,562
Trading security, at fair value	14,149			14,189
Securities available for sale, at fair value	946,853			1,154,457
Securities held to maturity (fair values of $139,358 and $136,904)	131,467			131,652
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other restricted securities	61,277			71,018
Total securities	1,153,746			1,371,316
Loans held for sale	20,471			13,191
Commercial real estate	2,327,044			2,059,767
Commercial and industrial loans	994,874			1,048,263
Residential mortgages	1,818,111			1,815,035
Consumer loans	906,975			802,171
Total loans	6,047,004			5,725,236
Less: Allowance for loan losses	(43,105		)	(39,308		)
Net loans	6,003,899			5,685,928
Premises and equipment, net	85,794			88,072
Other real estate owned	80			1,725
Goodwill	339,975			323,943
Other intangible assets	8,308			10,664
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	127,880			125,233
Deferred tax assets, net	34,616			42,526
Other assets	87,107			64,926
Total assets	$	7,931,161		$	7,831,086

Liabilities
Demand deposits	$	1,113,733		$	1,081,860
NOW deposits	476,189			510,807
Money market deposits	1,469,075			1,408,107
Savings deposits	607,868			601,761
Time deposits	2,082,889			1,986,600
Total deposits	5,749,754			5,589,135
Short-term debt	939,800			1,071,200
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	109,114			103,135
Subordinated borrowings	89,116			88,983
Total borrowings	1,138,030			1,263,318
Other liabilities	110,784			91,444
Total liabilities	$	6,998,568		$	6,943,897
(continued)



Shareholders’ equity
Common stock ($.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized and 32,321,962 shares issued and 31,121,676 shares outstanding in 2016; 32,321,962 shares issued and 30,973,986 shares outstanding in 2015)	322			322
Additional paid-in capital	747,844			742,619
Unearned compensation	(6,991		)	(6,997		)
Retained earnings	213,453			183,885
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8,411			(3,305		)
Treasury stock, at cost (1,200,286 shares in 2016 and 1,179,045 shares in 2015)	(30,446		)	(29,335		)
Total shareholders’ equity	932,593			887,189
Total liabilities and Shareholders’ equity	$	7,931,161		$	7,831,086

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015			2016			2015
Interest and dividend income
Loans	$	61,571	$	56,343		$	179,716		$	152,292
Securities and other	8,940		9,109			28,289			26,314
Total interest and dividend income	70,511		65,452			208,005			178,606
Interest expense
Deposits	7,790		6,046			22,327			16,287
Borrowings	4,750		2,435			12,569			7,218
Total interest expense	12,540		8,481			34,896			23,505
Net interest income	57,971		56,971			173,109			155,101
Non-interest income
Loan related income	5,102		1,537			11,046			5,603
Mortgage banking income	1,862		693			4,018			3,492
Deposit related fees	6,278		6,549			18,678			18,668
Insurance commissions and fees	2,601		2,544			8,154			7,997
Wealth management fees	2,269		2,376			7,006			7,376
Total fee income	18,112		13,699			48,902			43,136
Other, net	188		(1,050		)	(440		)	(3,563		)
Gain on sale of securities, net	78		49			101			2,467
Gain on branch sales, net	563		—			563			—
Total non-interest income	18,941		12,698			49,126			42,040
Total net revenue	76,912		69,669			222,235			197,141
Provision for loan losses	4,734		4,240			13,262			12,295
Non-interest expense
Compensation and benefits	26,119		25,237			76,497			71,551
Occupancy and equipment	6,650		6,827			19,900			21,178
Technology and communications	4,902		4,645			14,573			12,328
Marketing and promotion	671		781			2,081			2,294
Professional services	1,744		1,053			4,533			3,700
FDIC premiums and assessments	1,208		1,157			3,644			3,429
Other real estate owned and foreclosures	46		298			702			800
Amortization of intangible assets	749		887			2,355			2,722
Acquisition, restructuring and conversion related expenses	2,170		3,361			3,828			16,493
Other	4,585		5,132			14,099			14,056
Total non-interest expense	48,844		49,378			142,212			148,551

Income before income taxes	23,334		16,051			66,761			36,295
Income tax expense	6,953		1,350			18,422			2,791
Net income	$	16,381	$	14,701		$	48,339		$	33,504

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.53	$	0.49		$	1.58		$	1.21
Diluted	$	0.53	$	0.49		$	1.57		$	1.20

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	30,621		29,893			30,584			27,685
Diluted	30,811		30,069			30,757			27,847

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Net income	$	16,381		$	14,701		$	48,339		$	33,504
Other comprehensive income, before tax:
Changes in unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale	(5,654		)	8,207			21,639			1,474
Changes in unrealized loss on derivative hedges	2,730			(4,369		)	(2,660		)	(7,486		)
Changes in unrealized loss on pension	—			65			—			(1,402		)
Income taxes related to other comprehensive income:
Changes in unrealized gain on securities available-for-sale	2,218			(3,186		)	(8,330		)	(692		)
Changes in unrealized loss on derivative hedges	(1,096		)	1,761			1,067			3,017
Changes in unrealized loss on pension	—			(26		)	—			565
Total other comprehensive (loss) income	(1,802		)	2,452			11,716			(4,524		)
Total comprehensive income	$	14,579		$	17,153		$	60,055		$	28,980

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY



					Additional									Accumulated other
	Common stock				paid-in			Unearned			Retained			comprehensive			Treasury
(In thousands)	Shares		Amount		capital			compensation			earnings			income			stock			Total
Balance at December 31, 2014	25,183		$	265	$	585,289		$	(6,147	)	$	156,446		$	6,579		$	(33,145	)	$	709,287

Comprehensive income:
Net income	—		—		—			—			33,504			—			—			33,504
Other comprehensive loss	—		—		—			—			—			(4,524		)	—			(4,524		)
Total comprehensive income																				28,980
Acquisition of Hampden Bancorp, Inc	4,186		42		114,562			—			—			—			—			114,604
Acquisition of Firestone Financial	1,442		15		42,092			—			—			—			—			42,107
Cash dividends declared ($0.57 per share)	—		—		—			—			(16,016		)	—			—			(16,016		)
Treasury stock purchased	—		—		—			—			—			—			—			—
Forfeited shares	(19	)	—		42			479			—			—			(521		)	—
Exercise of stock options	11		—		—			—			(165		)	—			281			116
Restricted stock grants	182		—		316			(4,804		)	—			—			4,488			—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—			3,378			—			—			—			3,378
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation	—		—		26			—			—			—			—			26
Other, net	(36	)	—		7			—			—			—			(921		)	(914		)
Balance at September 30, 2015	30,949		$	322	$	742,334		$	(7,094	)	$	173,769		$	2,055		$	(29,818	)	$	881,568

Balance at December 31, 2015	30,974		$	322	$	742,619		$	(6,997	)	$	183,885		$	(3,305	)	$	(29,335	)	$	887,189

Comprehensive income:
Net income	—		—		—			—			48,339			—			—			48,339
Other comprehensive income	—		—		—			—			—			11,716			—			11,716
Total comprehensive income																				60,055
Acquisition of 44 Business Capital	45		—		—			—			—			—			1,217			1,217
Cash dividends declared ($0.60 per share)	—		—		—			—			(18,675		)	—			—			(18,675		)
Treasury stock adjustment (1)	—		—		4,632			—			—			—			(4,632		)	—
Forfeited shares	(63	)	—		106			1,592			—			—			(1,698		)	—
Exercise of stock options	9		—		—			—			(96		)	—			238			142
Restricted stock grants	185		—		504			(5,052		)	—			—			4,548			—
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—			3,466			—			—			—			3,466
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation	—		—		(1		)	—			—			—			—			(1		)
Other, net	(28	)	—		(16		)	—			—			—			(784		)	(800		)
Balance at September 30, 2016	31,122		$	322	$	747,844		$	(6,991	)	$	213,453		$	8,411		$	(30,446	)	$	932,593

(1) Treasury stock adjustment represents the extinguishment of 168,931 shares of Berkshire Hills Bancorp stock held by the Company's subsidiary.

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	48,339		$	33,504
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for loan losses	13,262			12,295
Net amortization of securities	3,476			2,282
Change in unamortized net loan costs and premiums	(3,825		)	(716		)
Premises and equipment depreciation and amortization expense	6,226			6,443
Stock-based compensation expense	3,466			3,377
Accretion of purchase accounting entries, net	(7,266		)	(6,383		)
Amortization of other intangibles	2,355			2,722
Write down of other real estate owned	395			480
Excess tax loss from stock-based payment arrangements	(105		)	(26		)
Income from cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	(2,905		)	(2,401		)
Gain on sales of securities, net	(101		)	(2,467		)
Net (increase) in loans held for sale	(7,280		)	(5,060		)
Loss on disposition of assets	32			2,208
Loss on sale of real estate	62			240
Amortization of interest in tax-advantaged projects	4,454			8,577
Net change in other	(1,089		)	(4,236		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	59,496			50,839

Cash flows from investing activities:
Net decrease in trading security	446			424
Proceeds from sales of securities available for sale	283,755			24,389
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of securities available for sale	128,566			143,489
Purchases of securities available for sale	(186,392		)	(236,601		)
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments of securities held to maturity	5,946			6,889
Purchases of securities held to maturity	(5,969		)	(62,074		)
Net change in loans	(284,440		)	(327,813		)
Purchases of bank owned life insurance	—			554
Proceeds from surrender of bank-owned life insurance	258			—
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	18,544			306
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock	(8,803		)	(10,706		)
Net investment in limited partnership tax credits	(5,189		)	(2,500		)
Proceeds from the sale of premises and equipment	226			1,932
Purchase of premises and equipment, net	(4,314		)	(3,961		)
Acquisitions, net of cash (paid) acquired	(55,542		)	74,324
Proceeds from sale of other real estate	1,483			1,705
Net cash used in investing activities	$	(111,425	)	$	(389,643	)
(continued)

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	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net increase in deposits	161,114			393,762
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings	7,264,120			6,441,300
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings	(7,389,048		)	(6,458,567		)
Exercise of stock options	141			116
Excess tax loss from stock-based payment arrangements	—			26
Common stock cash dividends paid	(18,675		)	(16,016		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	17,652			360,621

Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(34,277		)	21,817

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	103,562			71,754

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$	69,285		$	93,571

Supplemental cash flow information:
Interest paid on deposits	$	21,954		$	15,833
Interest paid on borrowed funds	12,166			7,069
Income taxes paid, net	10,995			1,125

Acquisition of non-cash assets and liabilities:
Assets acquired	56,976			948,796
Liabilities assumed	(109		)	(762,261		)

Other non-cash changes:
Other net comprehensive income (loss)	11,716			(4,524		)
Real estate owned acquired in settlement of loans	295			2,747

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Berkshire”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company is a Delaware corporation and the holding company for Berkshire Bank (the “Bank”), a Massachusetts-chartered trust company headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc. (“Berkshire Insurance Group” or “BIG”). These financial statements include the accounts of the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiaries and the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. In consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated. The results of operations of companies or assets acquired are included only from the dates of acquisition. All material wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries are consolidated unless GAAP requires otherwise.

In addition, these interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X, and accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared according to U.S. GAAP have been omitted.

The results for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and note disclosures for Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”) previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. In management's opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement are reflected in the interim periods presented.

Recently Adopted Accounting Principles

Effective January 1, 2016, the following new accounting guidance was adopted by the Company:


•	ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810) - Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis;


•	ASU No. 2015-03, Interest-Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-30) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs;


•	ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement; and


•	ASU No. 2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement - Period Adjustments.

The adoption of these accounting standards did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This ASU contains targeted amendments to the accounting for shared based payment transactions, including income tax consequences for awards, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification of activity on the statement of cash flows. Specifically, some of the requirements under the amendments include: (1) excess tax benefits and/or tax deficiencies, determined as the difference between compensation cost recognized for financial reporting purposes and the deduction for tax, be recognized in the income statement as income tax expense or benefit in the period in which they occur, removing historical equity treatment; (2) excess tax benefits are no longer separately classified as a financing activity but rather should be classified with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity on the statement of cash flows; (3) cash paid by an employer when withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. Additionally, regarding forfeitures, this guidance permits a company to make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest (current GAAP) or account for forfeitures when they occur. ASU No. 2016-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-09 in April 2016 and the adoption of this accounting standard did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. The Company chose a modified retrospective approach and a policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur. This change resulted in a cumulative adjustment immaterial to all periods presented.

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Future Application of Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09 related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. The new revenue pronouncement creates a single source of revenue guidance for all companies in all industries and is more principles based than current revenue guidance. The pronouncement provides a five-step model for a company to recognize revenue when it transfers control of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration to which it expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The five steps are (1) identify the contract with the customer, (2) identify the separate performance obligations in the contract, (3) determine the transaction price, (4) allocate the transaction price to the separate performance obligations and (5) recognize revenue when each performance obligation is satisfied. The standard is effective for public entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016; early adoption is not permitted. However, in August 2015, Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-14, “Deferral of the Effective Date” (“ASU 2015-14”) was issued and delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but not before the original effective date (i.e., interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). For financial reporting purposes, the standard allows for either full retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or modified retrospective adoption, meaning the standard is applied only to the most current period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application.

In March, April and May 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08, “Principal versus Agent Considerations,” ASU No. 2016-10, “Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing,” and ASU 2016-12, “Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients,” respectfully. The updates are not intended to change the core principles of the standard; however, they attempt to clarify important aspects of the guidance and improve its operability. The amendments have the same effective date and transition requirements as the new revenue standard. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, and will be closely monitoring developments and additional guidance to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This ASU requires an entity to: i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present in other comprehensive income the changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of AFS debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The guidance provides an election to subsequently measure certain nonmarketable equity investments at cost less any impairment and adjusted for certain observable price changes. The guidance also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is only permitted for the provision related to instrument specific credit risk. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new standard on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”. The new pronouncement improves the transparency and comparability of financial reporting around leasing transactions and more closely aligns accounting for leases with the recently issued International Financial Reporting Standard. The pronouncement affects all entities that are participants to leasing agreements. From a lessee accounting perspective, the ASU requires a lessee to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for operating leases and changes many key definitions, including the definition of a lease. The ASU includes a short-term lease exception for leases with a term of twelve months or less, in which a lessee can make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Lessees will continue to differentiate between finance leases (previously referred to as capital leases) and operating leases, using classification criteria that are substantially similar to the previous guidance. For lessees, the recognition, measurement, and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease have not significantly changed from previous GAAP. From a lessor accounting perspective, the guidance is largely unchanged, except for targeted improvements to align with new terminology under lessee accounting and with the

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updated revenue recognition guidance in Topic 606. For sale-leaseback transactions, for a sale to occur the transfer must meet the sale criteria under the new revenue standard, ASC 606. Entities will not be required to reassess transactions previously accounted under then existing guidance.

Additionally, the ASU includes additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures required by lessees and lessors to help users better understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply as well as transition guidance specific to nonstandard leasing transactions. The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2016-02 to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-05, “Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships.” This ASU clarifies that changes in the counterparty to a derivative instrument designated as a hedge does not alone require it to be de-designated and therefore discontinue the application of hedge accounting. Companies are still required to evaluate whether it is probable that a counterparty will perform under the contract as part of the ongoing effectiveness assessment for hedge accounting. The new guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and entities may adopt on a prospective or modified retrospective basis. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-06, “Contingent Put and Call Options in Debt Instruments” clarifying the assessment of whether contingent call or put options that can accelerate the payment of principal on debt instruments are clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics and risks of their debt hosts, a criteria in assessing whether to bifurcate an embedded derivative. The new pronouncement clarifies the exercise contingency and the event triggering the contingency does not need to be evaluated in the clearly and closely analysis relative to interest rates or credit risks. Rather, the call or put would be evaluated as a derivative regardless of the exercise contingency. Further, if an entity is no longer required to bifurcate a put or call option per the new guidance, the entity has a one-time option to irrevocably elect to measure that debt instrument in its entirety at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. ASU No. 2016-06 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. The ASU should be applied using the modified retrospective basis to existing instruments as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-07 “Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting” which eliminates the requirement to retroactively adjust an investment that becomes subject to the equity method of accounting as a result of an increase ownership interest or degree of influence. Alternatively, an investor entity adds the cost of acquiring the additional interest in the investee to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopts the equity method of accounting prospectively as of the qualifying date; no retroactive adjustment is required. Additionally, ASU No. 2016-07 specifies that when an available-for-sale equity security becomes qualified for the equity method of accounting, a company should recognize the unrealized holding gain or loss in accumulated other comprehensive income through earnings at the date the investment becomes qualified for use of the equity method. This guidance is effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted on a prospective basis. The adoption of this pronouncement is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU improves financial reporting by requiring timelier recording of credit losses on loans and other financial instruments. The ASU requires companies to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Forward-looking information will now be used in credit loss estimates. The ASU requires enhanced disclosures to provide better understanding surrounding significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses, as well as the credit quality and underwriting standards of a company’s portfolio. These disclosures include qualitative

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and quantitative requirements that provide additional information about the amounts recorded in the financial statements. Additionally, the ASU amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. Most debt instruments will require a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings on the statement of financial position as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted (modified retrospective approach). However, there is instrument-specific transition guidance. ASU No. 2016-13 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. Early application will be permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the provisions of ASU No. 2016-13, and will closely monitor developments and additional guidance to determine the potential impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” Current GAAP is unclear or does not include specific guidance on how to classify certain transactions in the statement of cash flows. The new guidance addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice. ASU No. 2016-15 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application will be permitted provided that all of the amendments are adopted in the same period. Entities will be required to apply the guidance retrospectively. If it is impracticable to apply the guidance retrospectively for an issue, the amendment related to that issue would be applied prospectively. As this guidance only affects the classification within the statement of cash flows, ASU No. 2016-15 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

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NOTE 2. ACQUISITION

44 Business Capital

On April 29, 2016, the Bank acquired and assumed the business model, certain assets, and certain liabilities of 44 Business Capital, along with certain loans and other assets of Parke Bank’s (“Parke”) SBA 7(a) loan program operations. 44 Business Capital was a joint venture of Parke (51%) and a management group (49%), 44 Amigos LLC, located in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. 44 Business Capital was engaged in originating, servicing, and selling SBA loans using Parke’s SBA PLP preferred lender license.

The transaction includes acquiring assets, key people, systems, and processes necessary for a market participant to run operations as a business. In accordance with ASC 805-10-55, the transaction was recorded as a business combination, resulting in acquisition accounting in which all assets acquired and liabilities are assumed at fair value.

The loans acquired by the Bank were the unguaranteed portions of SBA loans of which $35.6 million were recorded as commercial real estate and $1.2 million were recorded as commercial & industrial. Servicing rights on a notional loan balance of $148 million were also acquired. The Company expects the acquisition to expand its SBA lending program on a super-regional and national basis with the intent of selling many of these loans on the secondary market. It expands and diversifies the Company's fee revenue sources. Additionally, the acquisition of 44 Business Capital expands the Company’s product lines, creates cross-selling opportunities, and adds niche lending to its portfolio. 44 Business Capital will operate as a direct small business lending department reporting up through the Company’s established specialty lending division.

The following table provides a summary of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the associated fair value adjustments as recorded by the Company at acquisition:



(in thousands)	As Acquired			Fair Value Adjustments				As Recorded at Acquisition
Consideration paid:
Company common stock issued to certain 44 Business Capital shareholders (44,840 shares)								$	1,217
Cash paid to 44 Business Capital shareholders and Parke								55,649
Total consideration paid								$	56,866
Recognized amounts of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed, at fair value:
Cash and short-term investments	$	107		$	—			$	107
Loans	42,627			(5,777		)	(a)	36,850
Premises and equipment	69			(36		)	(b)	$	33
Other assets	3,076			639			(c)	3,715
Other liabilities	(108		)	—				$	(108	)
Total identifiable net assets	$	45,771		$	(5,174	)		$	40,597

Goodwill								$	16,269

Explanation of Certain Fair Value Adjustments

(a)

The adjustment represents the write down of the book value of loans to their estimated fair value based on current interest rates and expected cash flows, which includes an estimate of expected loan loss inherent in the portfolio. Loans that met the criteria and are being accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30 had a book value of $6.3 million and have a fair value $2.6 million. Non-impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-10 had a book value of $36.4 million and have a fair value of $34.3 million. ASC 310-30 loans have a $708 thousand fair value adjustment discount that is accretable in earnings over an average estimated six-year life using the effective yield as determined on the date of acquisition. The effective yield is periodically adjusted for changes in expected cash flows. ASC 310-10 loans have a $2.1 million fair value adjustment discount that is amortized into income over the remaining term of the loans using the effective interest method.


(b)	The fair value of the equipment was assumed to approximate the net carrying value based on overall condition and age. The adjustment represents the immediate expensing of equipment not meeting the thresholds for

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capitalization in accordance with Company policy. The recorded amount will be depreciated over the remaining estimated economic lives of the assets.

(c)

The adjustment represents the fair value write up of book value of the loan servicing right asset to its estimated fair value based on current interest rates and expected cash flows, which includes an estimate of cost of service and conditional prepayment rates applied to the underlying unpaid loan pool balance over the remaining life of the loans. The balance includes accrued interest of $221 thousand.

The fair values for loans acquired were estimated using cash flow projections based on the remaining maturity and repricing terms. Cash flows were adjusted by estimating future credit losses and the rate of prepayments. Projected monthly cash flows were then discounted to present value using a risk-adjusted market rate for similar loans. There was no carryover of the seller’s allowance for credit losses associated with the loans that were acquired in the acquisition as the loans were initially recorded at fair value.

Information about the acquired loan portfolio subject to ASC 310-30 as of April 29, 2016 is, as follows (in thousands):



	ASC 310-30 Loans
Gross contractual receivable amounts at acquisition	$	6,265
Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (nonaccretable discount)	(3,000		)
Expected cash flows at acquisition	3,265
Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable discount)	(708		)
Fair value of acquired loans	$	2,557

Capitalized goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to the Company.

Direct acquisition and integration costs of the 44 Business Capital acquisition were expensed as incurred, and totaled $164 thousand during the nine months ending September 30, 2016 and $124 thousand for the same period of 2015. These costs totaled $66 thousand for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and $124 thousand for the same period of 2015.

Pro Forma Information (unaudited)

The following table presents selected unaudited pro forma financial information reflecting the acquisition of 44 Business Capital assuming the acquisition was completed as of January 1, 2015. The unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments for scheduled amortization and accretion of fair value adjustments recorded at the acquisitions. These adjustments would have been different if they had been recorded on January 1, 2015, and they do not include the impact of prepayments. The unaudited pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the combined financial results of the Company and 44 Business Capital had the transaction actually been completed at the beginning of the periods presented, nor does it indicate future results for any other interim or full-year period. Pro forma basic and diluted earnings per common share were calculated using Berkshire’s actual weighted-average shares outstanding for the periods presented plus the 45 thousand shares issued as a result of the 44 Business Capital acquisition. The unaudited pro forma information is based on the actual financial statements of Berkshire and 44 Business Capital for the periods shown until the date of acquisition, at which time 44 Business Capital operations became included in Berkshire’s financial statements. For the period from the date of acquisition through September 30, 2016, 44 Business Capital's net revenue was $2.8 million and net income was $593 thousand which includes $164 thousand of acquisition expenses.

The unaudited pro forma information, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, set forth below reflects adjustments related to amortization and accretion of purchase accounting fair value adjustments and an estimated tax rate of 40 percent. Direct acquisition expenses incurred by the Company during 2016, as noted above, are reversed for the purposes of this unaudited pro forma information. Furthermore, the unaudited pro forma information does not reflect management’s estimate of any revenue-enhancing or anticipated cost-savings that could occur as a result of the acquisition.

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Information in the following table is shown in thousands, except earnings per share:



	Pro Forma (unaudited)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016		2015

Net interest income	$	173,421	$	156,812
Non-interest income	51,279		46,196
Net income	49,170		35,567

Pro forma earnings per share:
Basic	$	1.61	$	1.28
Diluted	$	1.60	$	1.28

NOTE 3. TRADING SECURITY

The Company holds a tax advantaged economic development bond accounted for at fair value. The security had an amortized cost of $11.5 million and $12.0 million, and a fair value of $14.1 million and $14.2 million, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. As discussed further in Note 12 - Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, the Company has entered into a swap contract to swap-out the fixed rate of the security in exchange for a variable rate. The Company does not purchase securities with the intent of selling them in the near term, and there are no other securities in the trading portfolio at September 30, 2016.

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NOTE 4. SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE AND HELD TO MATURITY

The following is a summary of securities available for sale and held to maturity:



(In thousands)	Amortized Cost		Gross Unrealized Gains		Gross Unrealized Losses			Fair Value
September 30, 2016
Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	$	114,866	$	6,357	$	(97	)	$	121,126
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	530,548		11,567		(118		)	541,997
Agency mortgage-backed securities	103,261		1,463		(54		)	104,670
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities	61,673		627		—			62,300
Corporate bonds	46,869		359		(706		)	46,522
Trust preferred securities	11,584		275		(58		)	11,801
Other bonds and obligations	3,158		42		—			3,200
Total debt securities	871,959		20,690		(1,033		)	891,616
Marketable equity securities	47,825		9,148		(1,736		)	55,237
Total securities available for sale	919,784		29,838		(2,769		)	946,853
Securities held to maturity
Municipal bonds and obligations	95,457		5,708		—			101,165
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	66		7		—			73
Tax advantaged economic development bonds	35,619		2,176		—			37,795
Other bonds and obligations	325		—		—			325
Total securities held to maturity	131,467		7,891		—			139,358

Total	$	1,051,251	$	37,729	$	(2,769	)	$	1,086,211

December 31, 2015
Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	$	99,922	$	4,763	$	(124	)	$	104,561
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	833,633		4,957		(5,554		)	833,036
Agency mortgage-backed securities	127,274		542		(987		)	126,829
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		—		—			—
Corporate bonds	42,849		—		(1,826		)	41,023
Trust preferred securities	11,719		182		(1		)	11,900
Other bonds and obligations	3,175		—		(34		)	3,141
Total debt securities	1,118,572		10,444		(8,526		)	1,120,490
Marketable equity securities	30,522		5,331		(1,886		)	33,967
Total securities available for sale	1,149,094		15,775		(10,412		)	1,154,457
Securities held to maturity
Municipal bonds and obligations	94,642		3,359		(34		)	97,967
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	68		3		—			71
Tax advantaged economic development bonds	36,613		1,924		—			38,537
Other bonds and obligations	329		—		—			329
Total securities held to maturity	131,652		5,286		(34		)	136,904

Total	$	1,280,746	$	21,061	$	(10,446	)	$	1,291,361

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The amortized cost and estimated fair value of available for sale (“AFS”) and held to maturity (“HTM”) securities, segregated by contractual maturity at September 30, 2016 are presented below. Expected maturities may differ from contractual maturities because issuers may have the right to call or prepay obligations. Mortgage-backed securities are shown in total, as their maturities are highly variable. Equity securities have no maturity and are also shown in total.



	Available for sale				Held to maturity
	Amortized		Fair		Amortized		Fair
(In thousands)	Cost		Value		Cost		Value

Within 1 year	$	—	$	—	$	2,580	$	2,589
Over 1 year to 5 years	4,894		4,984		16,906		17,920
Over 5 years to 10 years	32,920		33,643		13,853		14,444
Over 10 years	138,663		144,022		98,062		104,332
Total bonds and obligations	176,477		182,649		131,401		139,285

Marketable equity securities	47,825		55,237		—		—
Mortgage-backed securities	695,482		708,967		66		73
Total	$	919,784	$	946,853	$	131,467	$	139,358

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Securities with unrealized losses, segregated by the duration of their continuous unrealized loss positions, are summarized as follows:



	Less Than Twelve Months				Over Twelve Months				Total
	Gross				Gross				Gross
	Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair		Unrealized		Fair
(In thousands)	Losses		Value		Losses		Value		Losses		Value
September 30, 2016

Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	$	97	$	12,160	$	—	$	—	$	97	$	12,160
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	118		43,710		—		—		118		43,710
Agency mortgage-backed securities	30		12,901		24		1,349		54		14,250
Corporate bonds	—		—		706		19,998		706		19,998
Trust preferred securities	—		—		58		1,200		58		1,200
Total debt securities	245		68,771		788		22,547		1,033		91,318
Marketable equity securities	494		9,899		1,242		6,939		1,736		16,838
Total securities available for sale	739		78,670		2,030		29,486		2,769		108,156

Total	$	739	$	78,670	$	2,030	$	29,486	$	2,769	$	108,156

December 31, 2015

Securities available for sale
Debt securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	$	9	$	1,587	$	115	$	3,400	$	124	$	4,987
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	2,958		304,907		2,596		136,988		5,554		441,895
Agency mortgage-backed securities	306		34,543		681		35,522		987		70,065
Corporate bonds	30		6,934		1,796		21,587		1,826		28,521
Trust preferred securities	1		1,269		—		—		1		1,269
Other bonds and obligations	—		108		34		3,032		34		3,140
Total debt securities	3,304		349,348		5,222		200,529		8,526		549,877
Marketable equity securities	534		2,908		1,352		5,729		1,886		8,637
Total securities available for sale	3,838		352,256		6,574		206,258		10,412		558,514

Securities held to maturity
Tax advantaged economic development bonds	—		—		34		2,143		34		2,143
Total securities held to maturity	—		—		34		2,143		34		2,143

Total	$	3,838	$	352,256	$	6,608	$	208,401	$	10,446	$	560,657

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Debt Securities

The Company expects to recover its amortized cost basis on all debt securities in its AFS and HTM portfolios. Furthermore, the Company does not intend to sell nor does it anticipate that it will be required to sell any of its securities in an unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2016, prior to this recovery. The Company’s ability and intent to hold these securities until recovery is supported by the Company’s strong capital and liquidity positions as well as its historically low portfolio turnover.

The following summarizes, by investment security type, the basis for the conclusion that the debt securities in an unrealized loss position within the Company’s AFS and HTM portfolios were not other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2016:

AFS municipal bonds and obligations

At September 30, 2016, 7 of the total 127 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS municipal bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 0.8% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company continually monitors the municipal bond sector of the market carefully and periodically evaluates the appropriate level of exposure to the market. At this time, the Company feels the bonds in this portfolio carry minimal risk of default and the Company is appropriately compensated for that risk. There were no material underlying credit downgrades during the quarter. All securities are performing.

AFS collateralized mortgage obligations

At September 30, 2016, 6 out of the total 112 securities in the Company’s portfolios of AFS collateralized mortgage obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 0.3% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Federal National Mortgage Association (“FNMA”), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“FHLMC”), and Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”) guarantee the contractual cash flows of all of the Company’s collateralized mortgage obligations. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during the quarter. All securities are performing.

AFS mortgage-backed securities

At September 30, 2016, 13 out of the total 87 securities in the Company’s portfolios of AFS residential mortgage-backed securities were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 0.4% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The FNMA, FHLMC, and GNMA guarantee the contractual cash flows of all of the Company’s residential mortgage-backed securities. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during the quarter. All securities are performing.

AFS corporate bonds

At September 30, 2016, 2 out of 9 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS corporate bonds were in an unrealized loss position. The aggregate unrealized loss represents 3.4% of the amortized cost of bonds in unrealized loss positions. The Company reviews the financial strength of all of these bonds and has concluded that the amortized cost remains supported by the expected future cash flows of these securities.

At September 30, 2016, $637.9 thousand of the total unrealized losses was attributable to a $17.5 million investment. The Company evaluated this security, with a Level 2 fair value of $16.9 million, for potential other-than-temporary impairment (“OTTI”) at September 30, 2016 and determined that OTTI was not evident based on both the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until the recovery of its remaining amortized cost.

AFS trust preferred securities

At September 30, 2016 1 out of the 3 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS trust preferred securities were in an unrealized loss position. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 4.6% of the amortized cost of these securities in an unrealized loss position. The Company’s evaluation of the present value of expected cash flows on these securities supports its conclusions about the recoverability of these securities’ amortized cost basis. These securities are investment grade rated. The Company reviews the financial strength of all of the single issue trust issuers and

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has concluded that the amortized cost remains supported by the market value of these securities and they are performing.

Marketable Equity Securities

In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolio for OTTI, the Company considers its ability to more likely than not hold an equity security to recovery. The Company additionally considers other various factors including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI is recognized immediately through earnings.

At September 30, 2016, 10 out of the total 28 securities in the Company’s portfolio of marketable equity securities were in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss represented 9.4% of the amortized cost of the securities. The Company has the ability and intent to hold the securities until recovery of their cost basis and does not consider the securities other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2016. As new information becomes available in future periods, changes to the Company’s assumptions may be warranted and could lead to a different conclusion regarding the OTTI of these securities.

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NOTE 5. LOANS

The Company’s loan portfolio is segregated into the following segments: commercial real estate, commercial and industrial, residential mortgage, and consumer. Commercial real estate loans include construction, single and multi-family, and other commercial real estate classes. Commercial and industrial loans include asset based lending loans, lease financing, and other commercial business loan classes. Residential mortgage loans include classes for 1-4 family owner occupied and construction loans. Consumer loans include home equity, direct and indirect auto, and other. These portfolio segments each have unique risk characteristics that are considered when determining the appropriate level for the allowance for loan losses. A substantial portion of the loan portfolio is secured by real estate in western Massachusetts, southern Vermont, northeastern New York, and in the Bank’s other New England lending areas. The ability of many of the Bank’s borrowers to honor their contracts is dependent, among other things, on the specific economy and real estate markets of these areas.

Total loans include business activity loans and acquired loans. Acquired loans are those loans acquired from Parke Bank, Firestone Financial Corp., Hampden Bancorp, Inc., the New York branch acquisition, Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc., The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Legacy Bancorp, Inc., and Rome Bancorp, Inc. The following is a summary of total loans:



	September 30, 2016						December 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Business Activities Loans		Acquired Loans		Total		Business Activities Loans		Acquired Loans		Total
Commercial real estate:
Construction	$	221,749	$	19,850	$	241,599	$	210,196	$	43,474	$	253,670
Single and multi-family	271,844		40,696		312,540		214,823		36,783		251,606
Other commercial real estate	1,438,726		334,179		1,772,905		1,209,008		345,483		1,554,491
Total commercial real estate	1,932,319		394,725		2,327,044		1,634,027		425,740		2,059,767

Commercial and industrial loans:
Asset based lending	327,100		—		327,100		331,253		—		331,253
Other commercial and industrial loans	520,769		147,005		667,774		495,979		221,031		717,010
Total commercial and industrial loans	847,869		147,005		994,874		827,232		221,031		1,048,263

Total commercial loans	2,780,188		541,730		3,321,918		2,461,259		646,771		3,108,030

Residential mortgages:
1-4 family	1,513,122		287,574		1,800,696		1,454,233		332,747		1,786,980
Construction	16,600		815		17,415		26,704		1,351		28,055
Total residential mortgages	1,529,722		288,389		1,818,111		1,480,937		334,098		1,815,035

Consumer loans:
Home equity	323,642		46,258		369,900		307,159		53,446		360,605
Auto and other	435,618		101,457		537,075		311,328		130,238		441,566
Total consumer loans	759,260		147,715		906,975		618,487		183,684		802,171

Total loans	$	5,069,170	$	977,834	$	6,047,004	$	4,560,683	$	1,164,553	$	5,725,236

Table of Contents

The carrying amount of the acquired loans at September 30, 2016 totaled $978 million. A subset of these loans was determined to have evidence of credit deterioration at acquisition date, which is accounted for in accordance with ASC 310-30. These purchased credit-impaired loans presently maintain a carrying value of $15.1 million (and a note balance of $29.9 million). These loans are evaluated for impairment through the periodic reforecasting of expected cash flows. Loans considered not impaired at acquisition date had a carrying amount of $962.7 million.

At December 31, 2015, acquired loans maintained a carrying value of $1.2 billion and purchased credit-impaired loans totaled $21.4 million (note balance of $40.2 million). Loans considered not impaired at acquisition date had a carrying amount of $1.1 billion.

The following table summarizes activity in the accretable yield for the acquired loan portfolio that falls under the purview of ASC 310-30, Accounting for Certain Loans or Debt Securities Acquired in a Transfer:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	6,213		$	6,540
Acquisitions	—			684
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows	688			1,214
Accretion	(2,298		)	(967		)
Balance at end of period	$	4,603		$	7,471

	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of period	$	6,925		$	2,541
Acquisitions	708			4,862
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows	2,106			2,950
Reclassification to TDR	(185		)	—
Accretion	(4,951		)	(2,882		)
Balance at end of period	$	4,603		$	7,471

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of past due loans at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Business Activities Loans



(in thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		Past Due > 90 days and Accruing
September 30, 2016
Commercial real estate:
Construction	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	221,749	$	221,749	$	—
Single and multi-family	573		—		351		924		270,920		271,844		—
Other commercial real estate	568		473		7,240		8,281		1,430,445		1,438,726		2,292
Total	1,141		473		7,591		9,205		1,923,114		1,932,319		2,292
Commercial and industrial loans:
Asset based lending	—		—		—		—		327,100		327,100		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	1,304		181		5,270		6,755		514,014		520,769		503
Total	1,304		181		5,270		6,755		841,114		847,869		503
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family	1,446		1,602		3,411		6,459		1,506,663		1,513,122		944
Construction	—		—		45		45		16,555		16,600		—
Total	1,446		1,602		3,456		6,504		1,523,218		1,529,722		944
Consumer loans:
Home equity	154		5		1,732		1,891		321,751		323,642		150
Auto and other	1,774		405		530		2,709		432,909		435,618		—
Total	1,928		410		2,262		4,600		754,660		759,260		150
Total	$	5,819	$	2,666	$	18,579	$	27,064	$	5,042,106	$	5,069,170	$	3,889

Business Activities Loans



(in thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Current		Total Loans		Past Due > 90 days and Accruing
December 31, 2015
Commercial real estate:
Construction	$	—	$	—	$	58	$	58	$	210,138	$	210,196	$	—
Single and multi-family	65		160		70		295		214,528		214,823		—
Other commercial real estate	1,523		831		3,286		5,640		1,203,368		1,209,008		—
Total	1,588		991		3,414		5,993		1,628,034		1,634,027		—
Commercial and industrial loans:
Asset based lending	—		—		—		—		331,253		331,253		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	1,202		1,105		7,770		10,077		485,902		495,979		146
Total	1,202		1,105		7,770		10,077		817,155		827,232		146
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family	3,537		857		4,304		8,698		1,445,535		1,454,233		2,006
Construction	—		—		—		—		26,704		26,704		—
Total	3,537		857		4,304		8,698		1,472,239		1,480,937		2,006
Consumer loans:
Home equity	563		20		1,658		2,241		304,918		307,159		61
Auto and other	1,230		132		610		1,972		309,356		311,328		59
Total	1,793		152		2,268		4,213		614,274		618,487		120
Total	$	8,120	$	3,105	$	17,756	$	28,981	$	4,531,702	$	4,560,683	$	2,272

Table of Contents

Acquired Loans



(in thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Acquired Credit Impaired		Total Loans		Past Due > 90 days and Accruing
September 30, 2016
Commercial real estate:
Construction	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,082	$	19,850	$	—
Single and multi-family	1,086		—		—		1,086		1,169		40,696		—
Other commercial real estate	431		—		996		1,427		9,580		334,179		—
Total	1,517		—		996		2,513		11,831		394,725		—
Commercial and industrial loans:
Asset based lending	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	1,190		177		1,947		3,314		1,852		147,005		—
Total	1,190		177		1,947		3,314		1,852		147,005		—
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family	764		441		1,951		3,156		1,337		287,574		89
Construction	—		—		—		—		—		815		—
Total	764		441		1,951		3,156		1,337		288,389		89
Consumer loans:
Home equity	—		489		784		1,273		7		46,258		257
Auto and other	340		842		818		2,000		96		101,457		176
Total	340		1,331		1,602		3,273		103		147,715		433
Total	$	3,811	$	1,949	$	6,496	$	12,256	$	15,123	$	977,834	$	522

Acquired Loans



(in thousands)	30-59 Days Past Due		60-89 Days Past Due		90 Days or Greater Past Due		Total Past Due		Acquired Credit Impaired		Total Loans		Past Due > 90 days and Accruing
December 31, 2015
Commercial real estate:							—
Construction	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	1,298	$	43,474	$	—
Single and multi-family	—		176		227		403		1,380		36,783		127
Other commercial real estate	547		43		1,368		1,958		13,087		345,483		—
Total	547		219		1,595		2,361		15,765		425,740		127
Commercial and industrial loans:
Asset based lending	—		—		—		—		—		—		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	1,214		505		1,420		3,139		2,775		221,031		785
Total	1,214		505		1,420		3,139		2,775		221,031		785
Residential mortgages:
1-4 family	2,580		311		1,880		4,771		2,572		332,747		212
Construction	—		—		—		—		—		1,351		—
Total	2,580		311		1,880		4,771		2,572		334,098		212
Consumer loans:
Home equity	82		277		837		1,196		118		53,446		111
Auto and other	1,491		145		1,081		2,717		132		130,238		187
Total	1,573		422		1,918		3,913		250		183,684		298
Total	$	5,914	$	1,457	$	6,813	$	14,184	$	21,362	$	1,164,553	$	1,422

Table of Contents

The following is summary information pertaining to non-accrual loans at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015



	September 30, 2016						December 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Business Activities Loans		Acquired Loans (1)		Total		Business Activities Loans		Acquired Loans (2)		Total
Commercial real estate:
Construction	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	59	$	—	$	59
Single and multi-family	351		—		351		70		100		170
Other commercial real estate	4,948		996		5,944		3,285		1,368		4,653
Total	5,299		996		6,295		3,414		1,468		4,882

Commercial and industrial loans:
Other commercial and industrial loans	4,767		1,695		6,462		7,624		597		8,221
Total	4,767		1,695		6,462		7,624		597		8,221

Residential mortgages:
1-4 family	2,467		1,862		4,329		2,298		1,668		3,966
Construction	45		—		45		—		—		—
Total	2,512		1,862		4,374		2,298		1,668		3,966

Consumer loans:
Home equity	1,582		526		2,108		1,597		727		2,324
Auto and other	530		643		1,173		551		893		1,444
Total	2,112		1,169		3,281		2,148		1,620		3,768

Total non-accrual loans	$	14,690	$	5,722	$	20,412	$	15,484	$	5,353	$	20,837

_______________________________________

(1) At quarter end September 30, 2016, acquired credit impaired loans accounted for $252 thousand of non-accrual loans that are not presented in the above table.

(2) At December 31, 2015, acquired credit impaired loans accounted for $39 thousand of non-accrual loans that are not presented in the above table.

Table of Contents

Loans evaluated for impairment as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 were as follows:

Business Activities Loans



(In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Total
September 30, 2016
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of period
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	14,058	$	3,955	$	3,045	$	1,483	$	22,541
Collectively evaluated	1,918,261		843,914		1,526,677		757,777		5,046,629
Total	$	1,932,319	$	847,869	$	1,529,722	$	759,260	$	5,069,170

Business Activities Loans



(In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Total
December 31, 2015
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of year
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	11,560	$	7,191	$	2,812	$	1,810	$	23,373
Collectively evaluated for impairment	1,622,467		820,041		1,478,125		616,677		4,537,310
Total	$	1,634,027	$	827,232	$	1,480,937	$	618,487	$	4,560,683

Acquired Loans



(In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Total
September 30, 2016
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of Period
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,190	$	1,144	$	315	$	415	$	6,064
Purchased credit-impaired loans	11,831		1,852		1,337		103		15,123
Collectively evaluated	378,704		144,009		286,737		147,197		956,647
Total	$	394,725	$	147,005	$	288,389	$	147,715	$	977,834

Acquired Loans



(In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Total
December 31, 2015
Loans receivable:
Balance at end of year
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	3,749	$	—	$	570	$	487	$	4,806
Purchased credit-impaired loans	15,765		2,775		2,572		250		21,362
Collectively evaluated for impairment	406,226		218,256		330,956		182,947		1,138,385
Total	$	425,740	$	221,031	$	334,098	$	183,684	$	1,164,553

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of impaired loans at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Business Activities Loans



	September 30, 2016
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		—
Other commercial real estate loans	3,593		3,593		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	218		218		—
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	2,367		2,367		—
Consumer - home equity	380		380		—
Consumer - other	3		3		—

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		—
Other commercial real estate loans	10,275		10,465		190
Other commercial and industrial loans	3,543		3,737		194
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	589		678		89
Consumer - home equity	841		999		158
Consumer - other	94		101		7

Total
Commercial real estate	$	13,868	$	14,058	$	190
Commercial and industrial loans	3,761		3,955		194
Residential mortgages	2,956		3,045		89
Consumer	1,318		1,483		165
Total impaired loans	$	21,903	$	22,541	$	638

Table of Contents

Business Activities Loans



	December 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	2,000	$	2,000	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		—
Other commercial real estate loans	4,613		4,613		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	5,828		5,828		—
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	1,181		1,181		—
Consumer - home equity	702		702		—
Consumer - other	1		1		—

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		—
Other commercial real estate loans	4,798		4,947		149
Other commercial and industrial loans	1,341		1,362		21
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	1,479		1,632		153
Consumer - home equity	903		999		96
Consumer - other	101		108		7

Total
Commercial real estate	$	11,411	$	11,560	$	149
Commercial and industrial loans	7,169		7,190		21
Residential mortgages	2,660		2,813		153
Consumer	1,707		1,810		103
Total impaired loans	$	22,947	$	23,373	$	426

Table of Contents

Acquired Loans



	September 30, 2016
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		—
Other commercial real estate loans	632		632		—
Other commercial and industrial loans	—		—		—
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	211		211		—
Consumer - home equity	—		—		—
Consumer - other	—		—		—

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	891		930		39
Other commercial real estate loans	1,963		2,628		665
Other commercial and industrial loans	1,023		1,144		121
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	92		104		12
Consumer - home equity	280		415		135
Consumer - other	—		—		—

Total
Commercial real estate	$	3,486	$	4,190	$	704
Commercial and industrial loans	1,023		1,144		121
Residential mortgages	303		315		12
Consumer	280		415		135
Total impaired loans	$	5,092	$	6,064	$	972

Acquired Loans



	December 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Recorded Investment		Unpaid Principal Balance		Related Allowance
With no related allowance:
Other commercial real estate loans	$	1,722	$	1,722	$	—
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	274		274		—
Consumer - home equity	117		117		—
Consumer - other	177		177		—

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	$	638	$	655	$	17
Other commercial real estate loans	1,964		2,032		68
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	266		296		30
Consumer - home equity	167		192		25

Total
Other commercial real estate loans	$	4,324	$	4,409	$	85
Other commercial and industrial loans	—		—		—
Residential mortgages	540		570		30
Consumer	461		486		25
Total impaired loans	$	5,325	$	5,465	$	140

Table of Contents

The following is a summary of the average recorded investment and interest income recognized on impaired loans as of September 30, 2016 and 2015:

Business Activities Loans



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(in thousands)	Average Recorded Investment		Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	2,326	$	1
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	48		1		80		—
Other commercial real estate loans	2,624		111		9,787		157
Other commercial and industrial loans	805		26		234		7
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	2,309		51		1,264		32
Consumer - home equity	693		5		155		6
Consumer - other	1		—		—		—

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		—		—
Other commercial real estate loans	10,266		351		7,725		199
Other commercial and industrial loans	4,609		154		3,610		103
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	684		21		1,795		60
Consumer - home equity	999		26		248		—
Consumer - other	104		3		113		3

Total
Commercial real estate	$	12,938	$	463	$	19,918	$	357
Commercial and industrial loans	5,414		180		3,844		110
Residential mortgages	2,993		72		3,059		92
Consumer loans	1,797		34		516		9
Total impaired loans	$	23,142	$	749	$	27,337	$	568

Table of Contents

Acquired Loans



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016				Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(in thousands)	Average Recorded Investment		Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized		Average Recorded Investment		Cash Basis Interest Income Recognized
With no related allowance:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	593	$	60
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	—		—		169		—
Other commercial real estate loans	546		20		1,824		5
Other commercial and industrial loans	191		1		42		3
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	321		9		423		—
Consumer - home equity	—		—		39		—
Consumer - other	140		1		—		—

With an allowance recorded:
Commercial real estate - construction	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—
Commercial real estate - single and multifamily	942		37		2,878		82
Other commercial real estate loans	2,606		127		1,266		77
Other commercial and industrial loans	404		10		—		—
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family	117		4		409		13
Consumer - home equity	356		13		309		11
Consumer - other	—		—		19		4

Total
Other commercial real estate loans	$	4,094	$	184	$	6,730	$	224
Commercial and industrial loans	595		11		42		3
Residential mortgages	438		13		832		13
Consumer loans	496		14		367		15
Total impaired loans	$	5,623	$	222	$	7,971	$	255

Table of Contents

Troubled Debt Restructuring Loans

The Company’s loan portfolio also includes certain loans that have been modified in a Troubled Debt Restructuring (TDR), where economic concessions have been granted to borrowers who have experienced or are expected to experience financial difficulties. These concessions typically result from the Company’s loss mitigation activities and could include reductions in the interest rate, payment extensions, forgiveness of principal, forbearance, or other actions. Certain TDRs are classified as nonperforming at the time of restructure and may only be returned to performing status after considering the borrower’s sustained repayment performance for a reasonable period, generally six months. TDRs are evaluated individually for impairment and may result in a specific allowance amount allocated to an individual loan.

The following tables include the recorded investment and number of modifications identified during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively. The table includes the recorded investment in the loans prior to a modification and also the recorded investment in the loans after the loans were restructured. The modifications for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were attributable to interest rate concessions, maturity date extensions, modified payment terms, reamortization, and accelerated maturity. The modifications for the three and nine months ending September 30, 2015 were attributable to interest rate concessions, maturity date extensions, modified payment terms, reamortization, and accelerated maturity.



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of Modifications	Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial and industrial - Other	2	$	404	$	404
Residential - 1-4 Family	2	5		5
Total	4	$	409	$	409



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of Modifications	Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial - Other	2	$	1,049	$	1,049
Commercial and industrial - Other	4	555		555
Residential - 1-4 Family	2	5		5
Consumer - Home Equity	1	117		117
Total	9	$	1,726	$	1,726



	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of Modifications	Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial - Single and multifamily	2	307		307
Total	2	$	307	$	307



	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
(Dollars in thousands)	Number of Modifications	Pre-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment		Post-Modification Outstanding Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial - Construction	1	$	2,000	$	2,000
Commercial - Single and multifamily	2	307		307
Commercial - Other	2	1,694		1,694
Commercial and industrial - Other	5	8,192		8,192
Total	10	12,193		12,193

Table of Contents

The following tables disclose the recorded investments and numbers of modifications for TDRs for the prior year where a concession has been made, that then defaulted in the respective reporting period. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, there were no loans that were restructured that had subsequently defaulted during the period.



	Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
	Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Contracts	Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial and industrial- Other	2	$	5,742



	Modifications that Subsequently Defaulted
	Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
	Number of Contracts	Recorded Investment
Troubled Debt Restructurings
Commercial - Other	1	$	649
Commercial and industrial - Other	2	$	5,742

The following table presents the Company’s TDR activity for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:



	Three Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of the period	$	22,122		$	25,716
Principal payments	(932		)	(1,538		)
TDR status change (1)	—			—
Other reductions/increases (2)	—			(69		)
Newly identified TDRs	409			307
Balance at end of the period	$	21,599		$	24,416



	Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015
Balance at beginning of the period	$	22,048		$	16,714
Principal payments	(2,041		)	(2,629		)
TDR status change (1)	2,236			—
Other reductions/increases (2)	(2,370		)	(1,862		)
Newly identified TDRs	1,726			12,193
Balance at end of the period	$	21,599		$	24,416

_________________________________

(1) TDR status change classification represents TDR loans with a specified interest rate equal to or greater than the rate that the Company was willing to accept at the time of the restructuring for a new loan with comparable risk and the loan was on current payment status and not impaired based on the terms specified by the restructuring agreement.

(2) Other reductions classification consists of transfer to other real estate owned and charge-offs and advances to loans.

The evaluation of certain loans individually for specific impairment includes loans that were previously classified as TDRs or continue to be classified as TDRs.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company maintained foreclosed residential real estate property with a fair value of $80 thousand. Additionally, residential mortgage loans collateralized by real estate property that are in the process of foreclosure as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 totaled $6.3 million and $7.5 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2015, foreclosed residential real estate property totaled $675 thousand.

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NOTE 6. LOAN LOSS ALLOWANCE

Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 was as follows:



	At or for the three months ended September 30, 2016
Business Activities Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	16,895	$	8,296	$	7,526	$	4,769	$	(362	)	$	37,124
Charged-off loans	—		1,599		253		434		—			2,286
Recoveries on charged-off loans	114		37		96		61		—			308
Provision/(releases) for loan losses	507		1,776		37		904		251			3,475
Balance at end of period	$	17,516	$	8,510	$	7,406	$	5,300	$	(111	)	$	38,621
Individually evaluated for impairment	190		194		89		165		—			638
Collectively evaluated	17,326		8,316		7,317		5,135		(111		)	37,983
Total	$	17,516	$	8,510	$	7,406	$	5,300	$	(111	)	$	38,621



	At or for the nine months ended September 30, 2016
Business Activities Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	14,508	$	7,317	$	7,566	$	4,956	$	227		$	34,574
Charged-off loans	1,578		4,145		1,340		1,175		—			8,238
Recoveries on charged-off loans	242		114		101		183		—			640
Provision/(releases) for loan losses	4,344		5,224		1,079		1,336		(338		)	11,645
Balance at end of period	$	17,516	$	8,510	$	7,406	$	5,300	$	(111	)	$	38,621
Individually evaluated for impairment	190		194		89		165		—			638
Collectively evaluated	17,326		8,316		7,317		5,135		(111		)	37,983
Total	$	17,516	$	8,510	$	7,406	$	5,300	$	(111	)	$	38,621



	At or for the three months ended September 30, 2015
Business Activities Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans			Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated			Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	12,967	$	9,166		$	6,471	$	4,914	$	(292	)	$	33,226
Charged-off loans	1,329		916			316		353		—			2,914
Recoveries on charged-off loans	—		6			28		86		—			120
Provision/(releases) for loan losses	2,623		(223		)	1,187		281		263			4,131
Balance at end of period	$	14,261	$	8,033		$	7,370	$	4,928	$	(29	)	$	34,563
Individually evaluated for impairment	410		1,032			248		38		—			1,728
Collectively evaluated	13,851		7,001			7,122		4,890		(29		)	32,835
Total	$	14,261	$	8,033		$	7,370	$	4,928	$	(29	)	$	34,563

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	At or for the nine months ended September 30, 2015
Business Activities Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer			Unallocated			Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	14,690	$	5,206	$	6,836	$	5,928		$	135		$	32,795
Charged-off loans	5,751		1,288		762		815			—			8,616
Recoveries on charged-off loans	146		160		141		213			—			660
Provision/(releases) for loan losses	5,176		3,955		1,155		(398		)	(164		)	9,724
Balance at end of period	$	14,261	$	8,033	$	7,370	$	4,928		$	(29	)	$	34,563
Individually evaluated for impairment	410		1,032		248		38			—			1,728
Collectively evaluated	13,851		7,001		7,122		4,890			(29		)	32,835
Total	$	14,261	$	8,033	$	7,370	$	4,928		$	(29	)	$	34,563



	At or for the three months ended September 30, 2016
Acquired Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	2,140	$	776	$	881	$	476	$	—	$	4,273
Charged-off loans	662		84		332		77		—		1,155
Recoveries on charged-off loans	—		37		37		33		—		107
Provision for loan losses	907		210		111		31		—		1,259
Balance at end of period	$	2,385	$	939	$	697	$	463	$	—	$	4,484
Individually evaluated for impairment	704		121		12		135		—		972
Purchased credit-impaired loans	—		—		—		—		—		—
Collectively evaluated	1,681		818		685		328		—		3,512
Total	$	2,385	$	939	$	697	$	463	$	—	$	4,484



	At or for the nine months ended September 30, 2016
Acquired Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans			Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,903	$	1,330		$	976	$	525	$	—	$	4,734
Charged-off loans	788		359			696		457		—		2,300
Recoveries on charged-off loans	—		213			141		79		—		433
Provision for loan losses	1,270		(245		)	276		316		—		1,617
Balance at end of period	$	2,385	$	939		$	697	$	463	$	—	$	4,484
Individually evaluated for impairment	704		121			12		135		—		972
Purchased credit-impaired loans	—		—			—		—		—		—
Collectively evaluated	1,681		818			685		328		—		3,512
Total	$	2,385	$	939		$	697	$	463	$	—	$	4,484

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	At or for the three months ended September 30, 2015
Acquired Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate			Commercial and industrial loans			Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	1,786		$	973		$	808	$	404	$	—	$	3,971
Charged-off loans	38			318			66		206		—		628
Recoveries on charged-off loans	23			130			1		11		—		165
Provision for loan losses	(252		)	(133		)	182		312		—		109
Balance at end of period	$	1,519		$	652		$	925	$	521	$	—	$	3,617
Individually evaluated for impairment	199			—			48		71		—		318
Purchased credit-impaired loans	—			—			—		—		—		—
Collectively evaluated	1,320			652			877		450		—		3,299
Total	$	1,519		$	652		$	925	$	521	$	—	$	3,617



	At or for the nine months ended September 30, 2015
Acquired Loans (In thousands)	Commercial real estate		Commercial and industrial loans		Residential mortgages		Consumer		Unallocated		Total
Balance at beginning of period	$	790	$	1,093	$	615	$	369	$	—	$	2,867
Charged-off loans	625		654		441		814		—		2,534
Recoveries on charged-off loans	418		186		42		67		—		713
Provision for loan losses	936		27		709		899		—		2,571
Balance at end of period	$	1,519	$	652	$	925	$	521	$	—	$	3,617
Individually evaluated for impairment	199		—		48		71		—		318
Purchased credit-impaired loans	—		—		—		—		—		—
Collectively evaluated	1,320		652		877		450		—		3,299
Total	$	1,519	$	652	$	925	$	521	$	—	$	3,617

Credit Quality Information

Business Activities Loans Credit Quality Analysis

The Company monitors the credit quality of its portfolio by using internal risk ratings that are based on regulatory guidance. Loans that are given a Pass rating are not considered a problem credit. Loans that are classified as Special Mention loans are considered to have potential credit problems and are evaluated closely by management. Substandard and non-accruing loans are loans for which a definitive weakness has been identified and which may make full collection of contractual cash flows questionable. Doubtful loans are those with identified weaknesses that make full collection of contractual cash flows, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable.

For commercial credits, the Company assigns an internal risk rating at origination and reviews the rating annually, semiannually or quarterly depending on the risk rating. The rating is also reassessed at any point in time when management becomes aware of information that may affect the borrower’s ability to fulfill their obligations.

The Company risk rates its residential mortgages, including 1-4 family and residential construction loans, based on a three rating system: Pass, Special Mention and Substandard. Loans that are current within 59 days are rated Pass. Residential mortgages that are 60-89 days delinquent are rated Special Mention. Loans delinquent for 90 days or greater are rated Substandard and generally placed on non-accrual status. Home equity loans are risk rated based on the same rating system as the Company’s residential mortgages.

Ratings for other consumer loans, including auto loans, are based on a two rating system. Loans that are current within 119 days are rated Performing while loans delinquent for 120 days or more are rated Non-performing. Other consumer loans are placed on non-accrual at such time as they become Non-performing.

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Acquired Loans Credit Quality Analysis

Upon acquiring a loan portfolio, the Company's internal loan review function assigns risk ratings to the acquired loans, utilizing the same methodology as it does with business activities loans. This may differ from the risk rating policy of the predecessor bank. Loans which are rated Substandard or worse according to the rating process outlined below are deemed to be credit impaired loans accounted for under ASC 310-30, regardless of whether they are classified as performing or non-performing.

The Bank utilizes an eleven grade internal loan rating system for each of its acquired commercial real estate, construction and commercial loans as outlined in the Credit Quality Information section of this Note. The ratings system is similar to loans originated through business activities.

The Company subjects loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria to ASC 450-20 (Loss Contingencies) by collectively evaluating these loans for an allowance for loan loss. The Company applies a methodology similar to the methodology prescribed for business activities loans, which includes the application of environmental factors to each category of loans. The methodology to collectively evaluate the acquired loans outside the scope of ASC 310-30 includes the application of a number of environmental factors that reflect management’s best estimate of the level of incremental credit losses that might be recognized given current conditions. This is reviewed as part of the allowance for loan loss adequacy analysis. As the loan portfolio matures and environmental factors change, the loan portfolio will be reassessed each quarter to determine an appropriate reserve allowance.

Additionally, the Company considers the need for an additional reserve for acquired loans accounted for outside of the scope of ASC 310-30 under ASC 310-20. At acquisition date, the Bank determined a fair value mark with credit and interest rate components. Under the Company’s model, the impairment evaluation process involves comparing the carrying value of acquired loans, including the entire unamortized premium or discount, to the recorded reserve allowance. If necessary, the Company books an additional reserve to account for shortfalls identified through this calculation. Fair value marks are not bifurcated when evaluating for impairment.

A decrease in the expected cash flows in subsequent periods requires the establishment of an allowance for loan losses at that time for ASC 310-30 loans. At September 30, 2016 the allowance for loan losses related to acquired loans under ASC 310-30 and ASC 310-20 was $4.5 million using the above mentioned criteria.

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The following tables present the Company’s loans by risk rating at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Business Activities Loans

Commercial Real Estate

Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category



	Construction				Single and multi-family				Other				Total commercial real estate
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Grade:
Pass	$	221,749	$	208,138	$	269,342	$	212,900	$	1,378,353	$	1,155,770	$	1,869,444	$	1,576,808
Special mention	—		—		348		—		21,533		3,449		21,881		3,449
Substandard	—		2,058		2,154		1,923		38,803		49,716		40,957		53,697
Doubtful	—		—		—		—		37		73		37		73
Total	$	221,749	$	210,196	$	271,844	$	214,823	$	1,438,726	$	1,209,008	$	1,932,319	$	1,634,027

Commercial and Industrial Loans

Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category



	Asset based lending				Other				Total comm. and industrial loans
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Grade:
Pass	$	327,100	$	331,253	$	499,953	$	455,710	$	827,053	$	786,963
Special mention	—		—		484		24,578		484		24,578
Substandard	—		—		20,332		15,691		20,332		15,691
Total	$	327,100	$	331,253	$	520,769	$	495,979	$	847,869	$	827,232

Residential Mortgages

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade



	1-4 family				Construction				Total residential mortgages
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Grade:
Pass	$	1,508,109	$	1,449,073	$	16,555	$	26,704	$	1,524,664	$	1,475,777
Special mention	1,602		857		—		—		1,602		857
Substandard	3,411		4,303		45		—		3,456		4,303
Total	$	1,513,122	$	1,454,233	$	16,600	$	26,704	$	1,529,722	$	1,480,937

Consumer Loans

Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity



	Home equity				Auto and other				Total consumer loans
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Performing	$	322,060	$	305,562	$	435,088	$	310,777	$	757,148	$	616,339
Nonperforming	1,582		1,597		530		551		2,112		2,148
Total	$	323,642	$	307,159	$	435,618	$	311,328	$	759,260	$	618,487

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Acquired Loans

Commercial Real Estate

Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category



	Construction				Single and multi-family				Other				Total commercial real estate
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Grade:
Pass	$	18,768	$	42,176	$	35,812	$	32,796	$	317,894	$	324,614	$	372,474	$	399,586
Special mention	—		—		—		655		1,630		352		1,630		1,007
Substandard	1,082		1,298		4,884		3,332		14,655		20,517		20,621		25,147
Total	$	19,850	$	43,474	$	40,696	$	36,783	$	334,179	$	345,483	$	394,725	$	425,740

Commercial and Industrial Loans

Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category



	Asset based lending				Other				Total comm. and industrial loans
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Grade:
Pass	$	—	$	—	$	141,843	$	212,825	$	141,843	$	212,825
Special mention	—		—		180		487		180		487
Substandard	—		—		4,813		7,719		4,813		7,719
Doubtful	—		—		169		—		169		—
Total	$	—	$	—	$	147,005	$	221,031	$	147,005	$	221,031

Residential Mortgages

Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade



	1-4 family				Construction				Total residential mortgages
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Grade:
Pass	$	285,167	$	329,375	$	815	$	1,351	$	285,982	$	330,726
Special mention	441		311		—		—		441		311
Substandard	1,966		3,061		—		—		1,966		3,061
Total	$	287,574	$	332,747	$	815	$	1,351	$	288,389	$	334,098

Consumer Loans

Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity



	Home equity				Auto and other				Total consumer loans
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Performing	$	45,732	$	52,719	$	100,814	$	129,345	$	146,546	$	182,064
Nonperforming	526		727		643		893		1,169		1,620
Total	$	46,258	$	53,446	$	101,457	$	130,238	$	147,715	$	183,684

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The following table summarizes information about total loans rated Special Mention or lower as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015. The table below includes consumer loans that are special mention and substandard accruing that are classified in the above table as performing based on payment activity.



	September 30, 2016						December 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Business Activities Loans		Acquired Loans		Total		Business Activities Loans		Acquired Loans		Total
Non-Accrual	$	14,690	$	5,974	$	20,664	$	15,484	$	5,391	$	20,875
Substandard Accruing	52,352		23,223		75,575		60,549		32,560		93,109
Total Classified	67,042		29,197		96,239		76,033		37,951		113,984
Special Mention	24,378		3,583		27,961		29,036		2,259		31,295
Total Criticized	$	91,420	$	32,780	$	124,200	$	105,069	$	40,210	$	145,279

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NOTE 7. DEPOSITS

A summary of time deposits is as follows:



(In thousands)	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015
Time less than $100,000	$	535,655	$	545,819
Time $100,000 or more	1,547,234		1,440,781
Total time deposits	$	2,082,889	$	1,986,600

Included in time deposits are brokered deposits of $810.0 million and $784.1 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. Included in the deposit balances contained on the balance sheet are reciprocal deposits of $102.4 million and $101.5 million at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

NOTE 8. BORROWED FUNDS

Borrowed funds at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015 are summarized, as follows:



	September 30, 2016				December 31, 2015
			Weighted				Weighted
			Average				Average
(dollars in thousands)	Principal		Rate		Principal		Rate
Short-term borrowings:
Advances from the FHLBB	$	924,800	0.55	%	$	1,071,200	0.43	%
Other Borrowings	15,000		2.17		—		—
Total short-term borrowings:	939,800		0.58		1,071,200		0.43
Long-term borrowings:
Advances from the FHLBB	109,114		1.61		103,135		1.89
Subordinated borrowings	73,652		7.00		73,519		7.00
Junior subordinated borrowings	15,464		2.67		15,464		2.23
Total long-term borrowings:	198,230		3.69		192,118		3.88
Total	$	1,138,030	1.12	%	$	1,263,318	0.96	%

Short term debt includes Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (“FHLBB”) advances with an original maturity of less than one year and a short-term line-of-credit drawdown through a correspondent bank. The Bank also maintains a $3.0 million secured line of credit with the FHLBB that bears a daily adjustable rate calculated by the FHLBB. There was no outstanding balance on the FHLBB line of credit for the periods ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

The Bank is approved to borrow on a short-term basis from the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston as a non-member bank. The Bank has pledged certain loans and securities to the Federal Reserve Bank to support this arrangement. No borrowings with the Federal Reserve Bank took place for the periods ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Long-term FHLBB advances consist of advances with an original maturity of more than one year. The advances outstanding at September 30, 2016 include callable advances totaling $11.0 million, and amortizing advances totaling $1.2 million. The advances outstanding at December 31, 2015 include callable advances totaling $11.0 million, and amortizing advances totaling $1.2 million. All FHLBB borrowings, including the line of credit, are secured by a blanket security agreement on certain qualified collateral, principally all residential first mortgage loans and certain securities.

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A summary of maturities of FHLBB advances as of September 30, 2016 is as follows:



	September 30, 2016
			Weighted
			Average
(in thousands, except rates)	Principal		Rate
Fixed rate advances maturing:
2016	$	835,308	0.54	%
2017	183,154		1.08
2018	1,018		2.62
2019	—		—
2020 and beyond	14,434		2.41
Total FHLBB advances	$	1,033,914	0.66	%

The Company does not have variable-rate FHLBB advances for the periods ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

In September 2012, the Company issued fifteen year subordinated notes in the amount of $75.0 million at a discount of 1.15%. The interest rate is fixed at 6.875% for the first ten years. After ten years, the notes become callable and convert to an interest rate of three-month LIBOR rate plus 5.113%. The subordinated note includes reduction to the note principal balance of $737 thousand and $829 thousand for unamortized debt issuance costs as of September 30, 2016 and December 31 2015, respectively.

The Company holds 100% of the common stock of Berkshire Hills Capital Trust I (“Trust I”) which is included in other assets with a cost of $0.5 million. The sole asset of Trust I is $15.5 million of the Company’s junior subordinated debentures due in 2035. These debentures bear interest at a variable rate equal to LIBOR plus 1.85% and had a rate of 2.67% and 2.23% at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company has the right to defer payments of interest for up to five years on the debentures at any time, or from time to time, with certain limitations, including a restriction on the payment of dividends to shareholders while such interest payments on the debentures have been deferred. The Company has not exercised this right to defer payments. The Company has the right to redeem the debentures at par value. Trust I is considered a variable interest entity for which the Company is not the primary beneficiary. Accordingly, Trust I is not consolidated into the Company’s financial statements.

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NOTE 9. CAPITAL RATIOS AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The actual and required capital ratios were as follows:



	September 30, 2016		Regulatory Minimum to be Well Capitalized		December 31, 2015		Regulatory Minimum to be Well Capitalized
Company (consolidated)
Total capital to risk weighted assets	11.5	%	10.0	%	11.9	%	10.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets	9.5		6.5		9.8		6.5
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets	9.6		8.0		9.9		8.0
Tier 1 capital to average assets	7.7		5.0		7.7		5.0

Bank
Total capital to risk weighted assets	10.9	%	10.0	%	11.2	%	10.0	%
Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets	9.6		6.5		9.9		6.5
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets	9.6		8.0		9.9		8.0
Tier 1 capital to average assets	7.6		5.0		7.7		5.0

At each date shown, the Company and the Bank met the conditions to be classified as “well capitalized” under the relevant regulatory framework. To be categorized as well capitalized, an institution must maintain minimum total risk-based, Tier 1 risk-based, and Tier 1 leverage ratios as set forth in the table above.

Effective January 1, 2015, the Company and the Bank became subject to the Basel III rule that requires the Company and the Bank to assess their Common equity tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets and the Company and the Bank each exceed the minimum to be well capitalized. In addition, the final capital rules added a requirement to maintain a minimum conservation buffer, composed of Common equity tier 1 capital, of 2.5% of risk-weighted assets, to be phased in over three years and applied to the Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio and the Total risk-based capital ratio. Accordingly, banking organizations, on a fully phased in basis no later than January 1, 2019, must maintain a minimum Common equity tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 7.0%, a minimum Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio of 8.5% and a minimum Total risk-based capital ratio of 10.5%.

The required minimum conservation buffer began to be phased in incrementally, starting at 0.625% on January 1, 2016 and will increase to 1.25% on January 1, 2017, 1.875% on January 1, 2018 and 2.5% on January 1, 2019. The final capital rules impose restrictions on capital distributions and certain discretionary cash bonus payments if the minimum capital conservation buffer is not met.

At September 30, 2016, the capital levels of both the Company and the Bank exceeded all regulatory capital requirements and their regulatory capital ratios were above the minimum levels required to be considered well capitalized for regulatory purposes. The capital levels of both the Company and the Bank at September 30, 2016 also exceeded the minimum capital requirements including the currently applicable capital conservation buffer of 0.625%.

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Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

Components of accumulated other comprehensive income is as follows:



(In thousands)	September 30, 2016			December 31, 2015
Other accumulated comprehensive income, before tax:
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities	$	27,955		$	6,316
Net unrealized loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives	(11,191		)	(8,532		)
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans	(3,469		)	(3,469		)

Income taxes related to items of accumulated other comprehensive income:
Net unrealized holding gain on AFS securities	(10,766		)	(2,437		)
Net unrealized loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives	4,490			3,425
Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans	1,392			1,392
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	$	8,411		$	(3,305	)

The following table presents the components of other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:



(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Net unrealized holding (loss) on AFS securities:	x
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	$	(5,576	)	$	2,190		$	(3,386	)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income	78			(28		)	50
Net unrealized holding (loss) on AFS securities	(5,654		)	2,218			(3,436		)

Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	1,363			(547		)	816
Less: reclassification adjustment for (losses) realized in net income	(1,367		)	549			(818		)
Net unrealized gain on cash flow hedging derivatives	2,730			(1,096		)	1,634

Net unrealized holding (loss) on pension plans:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	—			—			—
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized holding (loss) on pension plans	—			—			—
Other comprehensive (loss)	$	(2,924	)	$	1,122		$	(1,802	)

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net unrealized holding gains on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gains arising during the period	$	8,256		$	(3,204	)	$	5,052
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income	49			(18		)	31
Net unrealized holding gains on AFS securities	8,207			(3,186		)	5,021

Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	(4,369		)	1,761			(2,608		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	(4,369		)	1,761			(2,608		)

Net unrealized holding gain on pension plans:
Net unrealized gain arising during the period	—			—			—
Less: reclassification adjustment for (losses) realized in net income	(65		)	26			(39		)
Net unrealized holding gain on pension plans	65			(26		)	39
Other comprehensive income	$	3,903		$	(1,451	)	$	2,452

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(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Net unrealized holding gains on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gains arising during the period	$	21,740		$	(8,366	)	$	13,374
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income	101			(36		)	65
Net unrealized holding gains on AFS securities	21,639			(8,330		)	13,309

Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	(5,322		)	2,136			(3,186		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for (losses) realized in net income	(2,662		)	1,069			(1,593		)
Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	(2,660		)	1,067			(1,593		)

Net unrealized holding (loss) on pension plans:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	—			—			—
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized holding (loss) on pension plans	—			—			—
Other comprehensive income	$	18,979		$	(7,263	)	$	11,716

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net unrealized holding gains on AFS securities:
Net unrealized gains arising during the period	$	3,940		$	(1,580	)	$	2,360
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains realized in net income	2,466			(888		)	1,578
Net unrealized holding gains on AFS securities	1,474			(692		)	782

Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	(7,486		)	3,017			(4,469		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income	—			—			—
Net unrealized (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	(7,486		)	3,017			(4,469		)

Net unrealized holding (loss) on pension plans:
Net unrealized (loss) arising during the period	(1,596		)	643			(953		)
Less: reclassification adjustment for gains (losses) realized in net income	(194		)	78			(116		)
Net unrealized holding (loss) on pension plans	(1,402		)	565			(837		)
Other comprehensive (loss)	$	(7,414	)	$	2,890		$	(4,524	)

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The following table presents the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:



(in thousands)	Net unrealized holding gain on AFS Securities			Net loss on effective cash flow hedging derivatives			Net unrealized holding loss on pension plans			Total
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
Balance at Beginning of Period	$	20,625		$	(8,335	)	$	(2,077	)	$	10,213
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Gain Before reclassifications	(3,386		)	816			—			(2,570		)
Less: Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	50			(818		)	—			(768		)
Total Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(3,436		)	1,634			—			(1,802		)
Balance at End of Period	$	17,189		$	(6,701	)	$	(2,077	)	$	8,411

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Balance at Beginning of Period	$	5,677		$	(3,830	)	$	(2,244	)	$	(397	)
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) Before reclassifications	5,052			(2,608		)	—			2,444
Less: Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	31			—			(39		)	(8		)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5,021			(2,608		)	39			2,452
Balance at End of Period	$	10,698		$	(6,438	)	$	(2,205	)	$	2,055

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
Balance at Beginning of Period	$	3,880		$	(5,108	)	$	(2,077	)	$	(3,305	)
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) Before reclassifications	13,374			(3,186		)	—			10,188
Less: Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	65			(1,593		)	—			(1,528		)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	13,309			(1,593		)	—			11,716
Balance at End of Period	$	17,189		$	(6,701	)	$	(2,077	)	$	8,411

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Balance at Beginning of Period	$	9,916		$	(1,969	)	$	(1,368	)	$	6,579
Other Comprehensive Gain (Loss) Before reclassifications	2,360			(4,469		)	(953		)	(3,062		)
Less: Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income	1,578			—			(116		)	1,462
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	782			(4,469		)	(837		)	(4,524		)
Balance at End of Period	$	10,698		$	(6,438	)	$	(2,205	)	$	2,055

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The following table presents the amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015:



							Affected Line Item in the
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Statement where Net Income
(in thousands)	2016			2015			is Presented
Realized gains on AFS securities:
	$	78		$	49		Non-interest income
	(28		)	(18		)	Tax expense
	50			31			Net of tax

Realized (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives:
	(1,367		)	—			Non-interest income
	549			—			Tax expense
	(818		)	—			Net of tax

Realized (losses) on pension plans:
	—			(65		)	Non-interest income
	—			26			Tax expense
	—			(39		)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period	$	(768	)	$	(8	)	Net of tax



							Affected Line Item in the
	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Statement where Net Income
(in thousands)	2016			2015			is Presented
Realized gains on AFS securities:
	$	101		$	2,466		Non-interest income
	(36		)	(888		)	Tax expense
	65			1,578			Net of tax

Realized (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives:
	(2,662		)	—			Non-interest income
	1,069			—			Tax expense
	(1,593		)	—			Net of tax

Realized (losses) on pension plans:
	—			(194		)	Non-interest income
	—			78			Tax expense
	—			(116		)	Net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period	$	(1,528	)	$	1,462		Net of tax

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NOTE 10. EARNINGS PER SHARE

Earnings per share have been computed based on the following (average diluted shares outstanding are calculated using the treasury stock method):



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands, except per share data)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net income	$	16,381	$	14,701	$	48,339	$	33,504

Average number of common shares issued	32,273		31,565		32,216		29,374
Less: average number of treasury shares	1,137		1,201		1,117		1,229
Less: average number of unvested stock award shares	515		471		515		460
Average number of basic common shares outstanding	30,621		29,893		30,584		27,685
Plus: dilutive effect of unvested stock award shares	131		114		115		98
Plus: dilutive effect of stock options outstanding	59		62		58		64
Average number of diluted common shares outstanding	30,811		30,069		30,757		27,847

Earnings per share:
Basic	$	0.53	$	0.49	$	1.58	$	1.21
Diluted	$	0.53	$	0.49	$	1.57	$	1.20

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, 401 thousand shares of restricted stock and 201 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, 361 thousand shares of restricted stock and 212 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations.

NOTE 11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

A combined summary of activity in the Company’s stock award and stock option plans for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 is presented in the following table:



		Non-Vested Stock Awards Outstanding				Stock Options Outstanding
(Shares in thousands)		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value		Number of Shares		Weighted-Average Exercise Price
December 31, 2015		488		$	25.09	265		$	21.11
Granted		185		27.37		—		—
Stock options exercised		—		—		(10	)	14.98
Stock awards vested		(116	)	25.15		—		—
Forfeited		(63	)	25.39		—		—
Expired		—		—		(3	)	34.45
September 30, 2016		494		$	26.23	252		$	21.08
Exercisable options at	September 30, 2016					251		$	21.15

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, proceeds from stock option exercises totaled $141 thousand and $116 thousand, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, there were 116 thousand shares issued in connection with vested stock awards. During the nine months ended September 30, 2015, there were 126 thousand shares issued in connection with vested stock awards. All of these shares were issued from available treasury stock. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $3.5 million and $3.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized over the requisite service period for all awards.

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NOTE 12. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

As of September 30, 2016, the Company held derivatives with a total notional amount of $1.9 billion. That amount included $300.0 million in interest rate swap derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. The Company also had economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives totaling $1.5 billion and $83.8 million, respectively, which are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes and are therefore recorded at fair value. Economic hedges included interest rate swaps totaling $1.3 billion, risk participation agreements with dealer banks of $77.9 million, and $95.0 million in forward commitment contracts.

As part of the Company’s risk management strategy, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements to mitigate the interest rate risk inherent in certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities. Interest rate swap agreements involve the risk of dealing with both Bank customers and institutional derivative counterparties and their ability to meet contractual terms. The agreements are entered into with counterparties that meet established credit standards and contain master netting and collateral provisions protecting the at-risk party. The derivatives program is overseen by the Risk Management/Capital Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Based on adherence to the Company’s credit standards and the presence of the netting and collateral provisions, the Company believes that the credit risk inherent in these contracts was not significant at September 30, 2016.

The Company pledged collateral to derivative counterparties in the form of cash totaling $650 thousand and securities with an amortized cost of $59.2 million and a fair value of $61.3 million as of September 30, 2016. The Company does not typically require its commercial customers to post cash or securities as collateral on its program of back-to-back economic hedges. However certain language is written into the International Swaps Dealers Association, Inc. (“ISDA”) and loan documents where, in default situations, the Bank is allowed to access collateral supporting the loan relationship to recover any losses suffered on the derivative asset or liability. The Company may need to post additional collateral in the future in proportion to potential increases in unrealized loss positions.

Information about derivative assets and liabilities at September 30, 2016, follows:



			Weighted	Weighted Average Rate				Estimated
	Notional		Average			Contract		Fair Value
	Amount		Maturity	Received		pay rate		Asset (Liability)
	(In thousands)		(In years)					(In thousands)
Cash flow hedges:
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings	$	300,000	2.5	0.52	%	2.29	%	$	(11,191	)
Total cash flow hedges	300,000							(11,191		)

Economic hedges:
Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond	11,540		13.2	0.89	%	5.09	%	(2,869		)
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	642,399		6.4	2.27	%	4.23	%	(36,055		)
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	642,399		6.4	4.23	%	2.27	%	35,546
Risk Participation Agreements with Dealer Banks	77,887		12.2					47
Forward sale commitments	95,042		0.2					(582		)
Total economic hedges	1,469,267							(3,913		)

Non-hedging derivatives:
Interest rate lock commitments	83,765		0.2					1,574
Total non-hedging derivatives	83,765							1,574

Total	$	1,853,032						$	(13,530	)

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Information about derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2015, follows:



			Weighted	Weighted Average Rate				Estimated
	Notional		Average			Contract		Fair Value
	Amount		Maturity	Received		pay rate		Asset (Liability)
	(In thousands)		(In years)					(In thousands)
Cash flow hedges:
Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings	$	300,000	3.3	0.14	%	2.29	%	$	(8,532	)
Total cash flow hedges	300,000							(8,532		)

Economic hedges:
Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond	11,984		13.9	0.61	%	5.09	%	(2,450		)
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	457,392		6.7	2.18	%	4.49	%	(17,143		)
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers	457,392		6.7	4.49	%	2.18	%	17,129
Risk participation agreements with dealer banks	59,016		15.0					(56		)
Forward sale commitments	44,840		0.2					53
Total economic hedges	1,030,624							(2,467		)

Non-hedging derivatives:
Interest rate lock commitments	36,043		0.2					323
Total non-hedging derivatives	36,043							323

Total	$	1,366,667						$	(10,676	)

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Cash flow hedges

The effective portion of unrealized changes in the fair value of derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges is reported in other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction is forecasted to affect earnings. Each quarter, the Company assesses the effectiveness of each hedging relationship by comparing the changes in cash flows of the derivative hedging instrument with the changes in cash flows of the designated hedged item or transaction. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.

The Company has entered into six interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional value of $300 million as of September 30, 2016. All have durations of three years. This hedge strategy converts the one month rolling FHLBB borrowings based on the FHLBB’s one month fixed interest rate to fixed interest rates, thereby protecting the Company from floating interest rate variability.

Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income and in the other comprehensive income section of the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows), were as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings:
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss	$	1,363		$	(4,369	)	$	(5,322	)	$	(7,486	)

Less: Reclassification of unrealized (loss) from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest expense	(1,367		)	—			(2,662		)	—

Net tax effect on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income	(1,096		)	1,761			1,067			3,017

Other comprehensive gain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects	$	1,634		$	(2,608	)	$	(1,593	)	$	(4,469	)

Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on hedged FHLBB borrowings	$	1,367		$	—		$	2,662		$	—

Hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges was immaterial to the Company’s financial statements during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate liabilities. During the next twelve months, the Company anticipates reclassification of approximately $4.9 million.

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Economic hedges

As of September 30, 2016, the Company has an interest rate swap with a $11.5 million notional amount to swap out the fixed rate of interest on an economic development bond bearing a fixed rate of 5.09%, currently within the Company’s trading portfolio under the fair value option, in exchange for a LIBOR-based floating rate. The intent of the economic hedge is to improve the Company’s asset sensitivity to changing interest rates in anticipation of favorable average floating rates of interest over the 21-year life of the bond. The fair value changes of the economic development bond are mostly offset by fair value changes of the related interest rate swap.

The Company also offers certain derivative products directly to qualified commercial borrowers. The Company economically hedges derivative transactions executed with commercial borrowers by entering into mirror-image, offsetting derivatives with third-party financial institutions. The transaction allows the Company’s customer to convert a variable-rate loan to a fixed rate loan. Because the Company acts as an intermediary for its customer, changes in the fair value of the underlying derivative contracts mostly offset each other in earnings. Credit valuation adjustments arising from the difference in credit worthiness of the commercial loan and financial institution counterparties totaled $(62) thousand as of September 30, 2016. The interest income and expense on these mirror image swaps exactly offset each other.

The Company has risk participation agreements with dealer banks. Risk participation agreements occur when the Company participates on a loan and a swap where another bank is the lead. The Company gets paid a fee to take on the risk associated with having to make the lead bank whole on Berkshire’s portion of the pro-rated swap should the borrower default. Changes in fair value are recorded in current period earnings.

The Company utilizes forward sale commitments to hedge interest rate risk and the associated effects on the fair value of interest rate lock commitments and loans originated for sale. The forward sale commitments are accounted for as derivatives with changes in fair value recorded in current period earnings.

The Company uses the following types of forward sale commitments contracts:


•	Best efforts loan sales,


•	Mandatory delivery loan sales, and


•	To Be Announced (“TBA”) mortgage-backed securities sales.

A best efforts contract refers to a loan sale agreement where the Company commits to deliver an individual mortgage loan of a specified principal amount and quality to an investor if the loan to the underlying borrower closes. The Company may enter into a best efforts contract once the price is known, which is shortly after the potential borrower’s interest rate is locked.

A mandatory delivery contract is a loan sale agreement where the Company commits to deliver a certain principal amount of mortgage loans to an investor at a specified price on or before a specified date. Generally, the Company may enter into mandatory delivery contracts shortly after the loan closes with a customer.

The Company may sell TBA mortgage-backed securities to hedge the changes in fair value of interest rate lock commitments and held for sale loans, which do not have corresponding best efforts or mandatory delivery contracts. These security sales transactions are closed once mandatory contracts are written. On the closing date the price of the security is locked-in, and the sale is paired-off with a purchase of the same security. Settlement of the security purchase/sale transaction is done with cash on a net-basis.

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Non-hedging derivatives

The Company enters into interest rate lock commitments (“IRLCs”) for residential mortgage loans, which commit the Company to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time. IRLCs that relate to the origination of mortgage loans that will be held for sale are considered derivative financial instruments under applicable accounting guidance. Outstanding IRLCs expose the Company to the risk that the price of the mortgage loans underlying the commitments may decline due to increases in mortgage interest rates from inception of the rate lock to the funding of the loan. The IRLCs are free-standing derivatives which are carried at fair value with changes recorded in noninterest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Changes in the fair value of IRLCs subsequent to inception are based on changes in the fair value of the underlying loan resulting from the fulfillment of the commitment and changes in the probability that the loan will fund within the terms of the commitment, which is affected primarily by changes in interest rates and the passage of time.

Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income related to economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives were as follows:



	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016			2015			2016			2015
Economic hedges
Interest rate swap on industrial revenue bond:
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in other non-interest income	$	29		$	(493	)	$	(802	)	$	(433	)

Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in other non-interest income	2,411			(7,698		)	(18,911		)	(6,923		)

Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in other non-interest income	(2,411		)	7,698			18,911			6,923

(Unfavorable) Favorable change in credit valuation adjustment recognized in other non-interest income	(62		)	52			(495		)	109

Risk Participation Agreements:
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income	(14		)	(65		)	102			(42		)

Forward Commitments:
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income	(582		)	(387		)	(1,898		)	(300		)
Realized gain (loss) in other non-interest income	109			(493		)	(224		)	(80		)

Non-hedging derivatives
Interest rate lock commitments
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income	$	1,574		$	754		$	3,635		$	2,113
Realized gain in other non-interest income	760			819			2,505			1,760

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Assets and Liabilities Subject to Enforceable Master Netting Arrangements

Interest Rate Swap Agreements (“Swap Agreements”)

The Company enters into swap agreements to facilitate the risk management strategies for commercial banking customers. The Company mitigates this risk by entering into equal and offsetting swap agreements with highly rated third party financial institutions. The swap agreements are free-standing derivatives and are recorded at fair value in the Company’s consolidated statements of condition. The Company is party to master netting arrangements with its financial institution counterparties; however, the Company does not offset assets and liabilities under these arrangements for financial statement presentation purposes. The master netting arrangements provide for a single net settlement of all swap agreements, as well as collateral, in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. Collateral generally in the form of marketable securities is received or posted by the counterparty with net liability positions, respectively, in accordance with contract thresholds.

The Company had net asset positions with its commercial banking counterparties totaling $35.5 million and $17.1 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. The Company had net liability positions with its financial institution counterparties totaling $49.5 million and $28.2 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. At September 30, 2016, the Company did not have a net liability position with its commercial banking counterparties. The collateral posted by the Company that covered liability positions was $49.6 million and $28.2 million as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

The following table presents the assets and liabilities subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets



	Gross Amounts of		Gross Amounts Offset in the		Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
	Recognized		Statements of		Statements of		Financial		Cash
(in thousands)	Assets		Condition		Condition		Instruments		Collateral Received		Net Amount
September 30, 2016
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties	$	118	$	—	$	118	$	—	$	—	$	118
Commercial counterparties	35,546		—		35,546		—		—		35,546
Total	$	35,664	$	—	$	35,664	$	—	$	—	$	35,664

Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities



	Gross Amounts of			Gross Amounts Offset in the		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
	Recognized			Statements of		Statements of			Financial		Cash
(in thousands)	Liabilities			Condition		Condition			Instruments		Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
September 30, 2016
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties	$	(49,570	)	$	42	$	(49,528	)	$	48,878	$	650	$	—
Commercial counterparties	—			—		—			—		—		—
Total	$	(49,570	)	$	42	$	(49,528	)	$	48,878	$	650	$	—

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Offsetting of Financial Assets and Derivative Assets



	Gross Amounts of		Gross Amounts Offset in the		Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the		Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
	Recognized		Statements of		Statements of		Financial		Cash
(in thousands)	Assets		Condition		Condition		Instruments		Collateral Received		Net Amount
December 31, 2015
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties	$	40	$	—	$	40	$	—	$	—	$	40
Commercial counterparties	17,129		—		17,129		—		—		17,129
Total	$	17,169	$	—	$	17,169	$	—	$	—	$	17,169

Offsetting of Financial Liabilities and Derivative Liabilities



	Gross Amounts of			Gross Amounts Offset in the		Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the			Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Statements of Condition
	Recognized			Statements of		Statements of			Financial		Cash
(in thousands)	Liabilities			Condition		Condition			Instruments		Collateral Pledged		Net Amount
December 31, 2015
Interest Rate Swap Agreements:
Institutional counterparties	$	(28,220	)	$	—	$	(28,220	)	$	18,500	$	9,720	$	—
Commercial counterparties	—			—		—			—		—		—
Total	$	(28,220	)	$	—	$	(28,220	)	$	18,500	$	9,720	$	—

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NOTE 13. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

A description of the valuation methodologies used for assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below. These valuation methodologies were applied to all of the Company’s financial assets and financial liabilities that are carried at fair value.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value.



	September 30, 2016
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(In thousands)	Inputs		Inputs		Inputs		Fair Value
Trading security	$	—	$	—	$	14,149	$	14,149
Available-for-sale securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	—		121,126		—		121,126
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	—		541,997		—		541,997
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—		104,670		—		104,670
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		62,300		—		62,300
Corporate bonds	—		46,522		—		46,522
Trust preferred securities	—		11,801		—		11,801
Other bonds and obligations	—		3,200		—		3,200
Marketable equity securities	53,602		1,635		—		55,237
Loans held for sale	—		20,471		—		20,471
Derivative assets			35,546		1,574		37,120
Derivative liabilities	331		50,068		251		50,650



	December 31, 2015
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(In thousands)	Inputs		Inputs		Inputs		Fair Value
Trading security	$	—	$	—	$	14,189	$	14,189
Available-for-sale securities:
Municipal bonds and obligations	—		104,561		—		104,561
Agency collateralized mortgage obligations	—		833,036		—		833,036
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities	—		126,829		—		126,829
Agency commercial mortgage-backed securities	—		—		—		—
Corporate bonds	—		41,023		—		41,023
Trust preferred securities	—		11,900		—		11,900
Other bonds and obligations	—		3,141		—		3,141
Marketable equity securities	32,925		334		708		33,967
Loans Held for Sale	—		13,191		—		13,191
Derivative assets	45		17,130		332		17,507
Derivative liabilities	—		28,181		—		28,181

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There were no transfers between levels during the three months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company had one transfer of $708 thousand in marketable equity securities from Level 3 to Level 2 based on a change in valuation technique driven by the availability of market data. There were no transfers between levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Trading Security at Fair Value. The Company holds one security designated as a trading security. It is a tax advantaged economic development bond issued to the Company by a local nonprofit which provides wellness and health programs. The determination of the fair value for this security is determined based on a discounted cash flow methodology. Certain inputs to the fair value calculation are unobservable and there is little to no market activity in the security; therefore, the security meets the definition of a Level 3 security. The discount rate used in the valuation of the security is sensitive to movements in the 3-month LIBOR rate.

Securities Available for Sale. AFS securities classified as Level 1 consist of publicly-traded equity securities for which the fair values can be obtained through quoted market prices in active exchange markets. AFS securities classified as Level 2 include most of the Company’s debt securities. The pricing on Level 2 was primarily sourced from third party pricing services, overseen by management, and is based on models that consider standard input factors such as dealer quotes, market spreads, cash flows, the U.S. Treasury yield curve, live trading levels, trade execution data, market consensus prepayment speeds, credit information and the bond’s terms and condition, among other things.

Loans held for sale. The Company elected the fair value option for all loans held for sale (HFS) originated for sale on or after May 1, 2012. Loans HFS are classified as Level 2 as the fair value is based on input factors such as quoted prices for similar loans in active markets.

Aggregate Fair Value

September 30, 2016

Aggregate

Less Aggregate

(In thousands)

Fair Value

Unpaid Principal

Loans Held for Sale

20,471

19,796

675

Aggregate Fair Value

December 31, 2015

Aggregate

Less Aggregate

(In thousands)

Fair Value

Unpaid Principal

Loans Held for Sale

13,191

12,914

277

The changes in fair value of loans held for sale for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, were losses of $216 thousand and gains of $398 thousand, respectively. The changes in fair value of loans held for sale for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, were losses of $44 thousand and $115 thousand, respectively. The changes in fair value are included in mortgage banking income in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

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Derivative Assets and Liabilities

Interest Rate Swap. The valuation of the Company’s interest rate swaps is obtained from a third-party pricing service and is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. The pricing analysis is based on observable inputs for the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity and interest rate curves.

The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings.

Although the Company has determined that the majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by itself and its counterparties. However, as of September 30, 2016, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of its derivatives. As a result, the Company has determined that its derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Interest Rate Lock Commitments. The Company enters into IRLCs for residential mortgage loans, which commit the Company to lend funds to a potential borrower at a specific interest rate and within a specified period of time. The estimated fair value of commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale is based on quoted prices for similar loans in active markets. However, this value is adjusted by a factor which considers the likelihood that the loan in a lock position will ultimately close, and by the non-refundable costs of originating the loan. The closing ratio is derived from the Bank’s internal data and is adjusted using significant management judgment. The costs to originate are primarily based on the Company’s internal commission rates that are not observable. As such, IRLCs are classified as Level 3 measurements.

Forward Sale Commitments. The Company utilizes forward sale commitments as economic hedges against potential changes in the values of the IRLCs and loans originated for sale. To Be Announced (“TBA”) mortgage-backed securities forward commitment sales are used as the hedging instrument, are classified as Level 1, and consist of publicly-traded debt securities for which identical fair values can be obtained through quoted market prices in active exchange markets. The fair values of the Company’s best efforts and mandatory delivery loan sale commitments are determined similarly to the IRLCs using quoted prices in the market place that are observable. However, costs to originate and closing ratios included in the calculation are internally generated and are based on management’s judgment and prior experience, which are considered factors that are not observable. As such, best efforts and mandatory forward commitments are classified as Level 3 measurements.

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The table below presents the changes in Level 3 assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015.



	Assets (Liabilities)
				Securities			Interest Rate
	Trading			Available			Lock			Forward
(In thousands)	Security			for Sale			Commitments			Commitments
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016
June 30, 2016	$	14,479		$	—		$	1,259		$	(189	)
Unrealized (loss) gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	(180		)	—			3,563			(62		)
Paydown of trading security	(150		)	—			—			—
Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(3,248		)	—
September 30, 2016	$	14,149		$	—		$	1,574		$	(251	)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016
December 31, 2015	$	14,189		$	708		$	323		$	9
Unrealized gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	405			—			6,480			(260		)
Transfers to Level 2	—			(708		)	—			—
Paydown of trading security	(445		)	—			—			—
Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(5,229		)	—
September 30, 2016	$	14,149		$	—		$	1,574		$	(251	)

Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30, 2016	$	2,610		$	—		$	1,574		$	(251	)

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	Assets (Liabilities)
				Securities			Interest Rate
	Trading			Available			Lock			Forward
(In thousands)	Security			for Sale			Commitments			Commitments
Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
June 30, 2015	$	14,378		$	773		$	382		$	50
Sale of Marketable Equity Security	—			—			—			—
Unrealized gain (loss), net recognized in other non-interest income	351			—			1,366			(72		)
Unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(9		)	—			—
Paydown of trading account security	(142		)	—			—			—
Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(994		)	—
September 30, 2015	$	14,587		$	764		$	754		$	(22	)

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
December 31, 2014	$	14,909		$	2,326		$	625		$	(93	)
Sale of Marketable Equity Security	—			(1,327		)	—			—
Unrealized gain, net recognized in other non-interest income	103			—			4,037			71
Unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss	—			(235		)	—			—
Paydown of trading account security	(425		)	—			—			—
Transfers to held for sale loans	—			—			(3,908		)	—
September 30, 2015	$	14,587		$	764		$	754		$	(22	)

Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30, 2015	$	2,457		$	(6	)	$	754		$	(22	)

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Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 recurring assets and liabilities is as follows:



	Fair Value					Significant Unobservable Input
(In thousands)	September 30, 2016			Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Value
Assets (Liabilities)
Trading Security	$	14,149		Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	1.80		%

Forward Commitments	(251		)	Historical Trend	Closing Ratio	93.97		%
				Pricing Model	Origination Costs, per loan	$	2,500

Interest Rate Lock Commitment	1,574			Historical Trend	Closing Ratio	93.97		%
				Pricing Model	Origination Costs, per loan	$	2,500

Total	$	15,472



	Fair Value				Significant Unobservable Input
(In thousands)	December 31, 2015		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Value
Assets (Liabilities)
Trading Security	$	14,189	Discounted Cash Flow	Discount Rate	2.49		%

AFS Securities	708		Pricing Model	Median Peer Price/Tangible Book Value Percentage Multiple	88.52		%

Forward Commitments	9		Historical Trend	Closing Ratio	92.57		%
			Pricing Model	Origination Costs, per loan	$	2,500

Interest Rate Lock Commitment	323		Historical Trend	Closing Ratio	92.57		%
			Pricing Model	Origination Costs, per loan	$	2,500
Total	$	15,229

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Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

The Company is required, on a non-recurring basis, to adjust the carrying value or provide valuation allowances for certain assets using fair value measurements in accordance with GAAP. The following is a summary of applicable non-recurring fair value measurements. There are no liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis.



	September 30, 2016		December 31, 2015		Three months ended September 30, 2016			Nine months ended September 30, 2016			Fair Value Measurement Date as of September 30, 2016
	Level 3		Level 3		Total			Total			Level 3
(In thousands)	Inputs		Inputs		Gains (Losses)			Gains (Losses)			Inputs
Assets
Impaired loans	$	19,591	$	11,657	$	(2,955	)	$	7,934		September 2016
Capitalized servicing rights	10,495		5,187		—			—			September 2016
Other real estate owned	80		1,725		(35		)	(456		)	Feb. 2016 - Mar. 2016
Total	$	30,166	$	18,569	$	(2,990	)	$	7,478

Quantitative information about the significant unobservable inputs within Level 3 non-recurring assets is as follows:



	Fair Value
(in thousands)	September 30, 2016		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average) (a)
Assets
Impaired loans	$	19,591	Fair value of collateral - appraised value	Discounted cash flow - loss severity	0.19% to 89.11% (10.01%)
				Appraised value	$29.2 to $2,197.4 ($1160.1)

Capitalized servicing rights	10,495		Discounted cash flow	Constant prepayment rate (CPR)	7.35% to 15.23% (11.04%)
				Discount rate	10.00% to 14.00% (11.71%)

Other real estate owned	80		Fair value of collateral	Appraised value	$46.0 to $129.0 ($118.6)
Total	$	30,166


(a)	Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.



	Fair Value
(in thousands)	December 31, 2015		Valuation Techniques	Unobservable Inputs	Range (Weighted Average) (a)
Assets
Impaired loans	$	11,657	Fair value of collateral - appraised value	Discounted cash flow - loss severity	0.05% to 29.50% (7.55%)
				Appraised value	$46.3 to $1,962.0 ($999.7)

Capitalized servicing rights	5,187		Discounted cash flow	Constant prepayment rate (CPR)	7.17% to 12.06% (10.02%)
				Discount rate	10.00% to 15.00 (10.88%)

Other real estate owned	1,725		Fair value of collateral	Appraised value	$39.0 to $1,200.0 ($919.9)
Total	$	18,569


(a)	Where dollar amounts are disclosed, the amounts represent the lowest and highest fair value of the respective assets in the population except for adjustments for market/property conditions, which represents the range of adjustments to individuals properties.

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There were no Level 1 or Level 2 nonrecurring fair value measurements for the periods ended September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

Impaired Loans. Loans are generally not recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Periodically, the Company records non-recurring adjustments to the carrying value of loans based on fair value measurements for partial charge-offs of the uncollectible portions of those loans. Non-recurring adjustments can also include certain impairment amounts for collateral-dependent loans calculated when establishing the allowance for credit losses. Such amounts are generally based on the fair value of the underlying collateral supporting the loan and, as a result, the carrying value of the loan less the calculated valuation amount does not necessarily represent the fair value of the loan. Real estate collateral is typically valued using appraisals or other indications of value based on recent comparable sales of similar properties or assumptions generally observable in the marketplace. However, the choice of observable data is subject to significant judgment, and there are often adjustments based on judgment in order to make observable data comparable and to consider the impact of time, the condition of properties, interest rates, and other market factors on current values. Additionally, commercial real estate appraisals frequently involve discounting of projected cash flows, which relies inherently on unobservable data. Therefore, nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments that relate to real estate collateral have generally been classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value for other collateral that supports commercial loans are generally based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and therefore such valuations have been classified as Level 3.

Capitalized loan servicing rights. A loan servicing right asset represents the amount by which the present value of the estimated future net cash flows to be received from servicing loans exceed adequate compensation for performing the servicing. The fair value of servicing rights is estimated using a present value cash flow model. The most important assumptions used in the valuation model are the anticipated rate of the loan prepayments and discount rates. Adjustments are only recorded when the discounted cash flows derived from the valuation model are less than the carrying value of the asset. Although some assumptions in determining fair value are based on standards used by market participants, some are based on unobservable inputs and therefore are classified in Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.

Other real estate owned (“OREO”). OREO results from the foreclosure process on residential or commercial loans issued by the Bank. Upon assuming the real estate, the Company records the property at the fair value of the asset less the estimated sales costs. Thereafter, OREO properties are recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less the estimated sales costs. OREO fair values are primarily determined based on Level 3 data including sales comparables and appraisals.

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Summary of Estimated Fair Values of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values, and related carrying amounts, of the Company’s financial instruments follow. Certain financial instruments and all non-financial instruments are excluded from disclosure requirements. Accordingly, the aggregate fair value amounts presented herein may not necessarily represent the underlying fair value of the Company.



	September 30, 2016
	Carrying		Fair
(In thousands)	Amount		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	69,285	$	69,285	$	69,285	$	—	$	—
Trading security	14,149		14,149		—		—		14,149
Securities available for sale	946,853		946,853		53,602		893,251		—
Securities held to maturity	131,467		139,358		—		—		139,358
FHLB bank stock and restricted securities	61,277		61,277		—		61,277		—
Net loans	6,003,899		6,081,799		—		—		6,081,799
Loans held for sale	20,471		20,471		—		20,471		—
Accrued interest receivable	17,263		17,263		—		17,263		—
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	127,880		127,880		—		127,880		—
Derivative assets	37,120		37,120		—		35,546		1,574
Assets held for sale	—		—		—		—		—

Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	$	5,749,754	$	5,751,777	$	—	$	5,751,777	$	—
Short-term debt	939,800		939,823		—		939,823		—
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	109,114		109,625		—		109,625		—
Subordinated borrowings	89,116		97,437		—		97,437		—
Derivative liabilities	50,650		50,650		331		50,068		251

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	December 31, 2015
	Carrying		Fair
(In thousands)	Amount		Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Financial Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	103,562	$	103,562	$	103,562	$	—	$	—
Trading security	14,189		14,189		—		—		14,189
Securities available for sale	1,154,457		1,154,457		32,925		1,120,824		708
Securities held to maturity	131,652		136,904		—		—		136,904
FHLB bank stock and restricted securities	71,018		71,018		—		71,018		—
Net loans	5,685,928		5,727,570		—		—		5,727,570
Loans held for sale	13,191		13,191		—		13,191		—
Accrued interest receivable	20,940		20,940		—		20,940		—
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies	125,233		125,233		—		125,233		—
Derivative assets	17,507		17,507		45		17,130		332
Assets held for sale	278		278		—		278		—

Financial Liabilities
Total deposits	$	5,589,135	$	5,582,835	$	—	$	5,582,835	$	—
Short-term debt	1,071,200		1,071,044		—		1,071,044		—
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances	103,135		103,397		—		103,397		—
Subordinated borrowings	89,812		93,291		—		93,291		—
Derivative liabilities	28,181		28,181		—		28,181		—

Other than as discussed above, the following methods and assumptions were used by management to estimate the fair value of significant classes of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate that value.

Cash and cash equivalents. Carrying value is assumed to represent fair value for cash and cash equivalents that have original maturities of ninety days or less.

FHLB bank stock and restricted securities. Carrying value approximates fair value based on the redemption provisions of the issuers.

Cash surrender value of life insurance policies. Carrying value approximates fair value.

Loans, net. The carrying value of the loans in the loan portfolio is based on the cash flows of the loans discounted over their respective loan origination rates. The origination rates are adjusted for substandard and special mention loans to factor the impact of declines in the loan’s credit standing. The fair value of the loans is estimated by discounting future cash flows using the current interest rates at which similar loans with similar terms would be made to borrowers of similar credit quality.

Accrued interest receivable. Carrying value approximates fair value.

Deposits. The fair value of demand, non-interest bearing checking, savings and money market deposits is determined as the amount payable on demand at the reporting date. The fair value of time deposits is estimated by discounting the estimated future cash flows using market rates offered for deposits of similar remaining maturities.

Borrowed funds. The fair value of borrowed funds is estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market rates for similar borrowings. Such funds include all categories of debt and debentures in the table above.

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Subordinated borrowings. The Company utilizes a pricing service along with internal models to estimate the valuation of its junior subordinated debentures. The junior subordinated debentures re-price every ninety days.

Off-balance-sheet financial instruments. Off-balance-sheet financial instruments include standby letters of credit and other financial guarantees and commitments considered immaterial to the Company’s financial statements.

NOTE 14. NET INTEREST INCOME AFTER PROVISION FOR LOAN LOSSES

Presented below is net interest income after provision for loan losses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.



	Three Months Ended September 30,				Nine Months Ended September 30,
(In thousands)	2016		2015		2016		2015
Net interest income	$	57,971	$	56,971	$	173,109	$	155,101
Provision for loan losses	4,734		4,240		13,262		12,295
Net interest income after provision for loan losses	$	53,237	$	52,731	$	159,847	$	142,806

NOTE 15. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On June 24, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement and plan of merger with First Choice Bank ("First Choice"), the parent company of First Choice Loan Services ("FCLS"), pursuant to which First Choice will merge with and into Berkshire Bank in a transaction to be accounted for as a business combination. It is expected that FCLS will become an operating subsidiary of the Bank. Headquartered in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, First Choice had $1.1 billion in assets as of September 30, 2016 (unaudited) and operates eight banking offices providing a range of banking services in Central New Jersey and greater Philadelphia metropolitan area.

If the Merger is completed, each outstanding share of First Choice Bank common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.5773 shares of the Company's common stock. In addition, each outstanding share of First Choice preferred stock will be converted into the right to receive such number of the Company's common stock equal to the number of shares of First Choice common stock issuable upon the conversion of the First Choice preferred stock multiplied by 0.5773.

The transaction is subject to closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of First Choice. The merger is currently expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2016. If the merger is not consummated under specified circumstances, First Choice has agreed to pay the Company a termination fee of $4.1 million.

The Company incurred $1.1 million and $1.5 million of merger and acquisition expenses related to the First Choice merger for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016. There were no merger and acquisition expenses related to the First Choice merger in 2015. Excluding the merger and acquisition expenses incurred in 2016, this merger agreement had no material effect on the Company’s financial statements for the periods presented.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

GENERAL

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is intended to assist in understanding the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto appearing in Part I, Item 1 of this document and with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the following discussion, income statement comparisons are against the same period of the previous year and balance sheet comparisons are against the previous fiscal year-end, unless otherwise noted. Operating results discussed herein are not necessarily indicative of the results for the year 2016 or any future period. In management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, certain reclassifications have been made to make prior periods comparable. Tax-equivalent adjustments during the current period are the result of increasing income from tax-advantaged securities by an amount equal to the taxes that would be paid if the income were fully taxable based on a 40.1% marginal income tax rate. In the discussion, references to earnings per share refer to diluted earnings per share unless otherwise specified.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (“Berkshire” or “the Company”) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts and the holding company for Berkshire Bank (“the Bank”) and Berkshire Insurance Group. Established in 1846, the Bank operates as a commercial bank under a Massachusetts trust company charter. Berkshire Bank operates under the brand America’s Most Exciting Bank®.

Berkshire is a regional financial services company that seeks to distinguish itself over the long term based on the following attributes:


•	Strong growth from organic, de novo, product, and acquisition strategies


•	Solid capital, core funding, and risk management culture


•	Experienced executive team focused on earnings and stockholder value


•	Distinctive brand and culture as America’s Most Exciting Bank®


•	Diversified integrated financial service revenues


•	Positioned to be regional consolidator in attractive markets.

Shown below is a profile of the Company:

On April 17, 2015, Berkshire completed the acquisition of Springfield, MA based Hampden Bancorp, Inc. (“Hampden"). On August 7, 2015, Berkshire Bank completed the acquisition of Firestone Financial Corp.

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(“Firestone”), a commercial specialty finance company providing secured installment loan equipment financing for small and medium-sized businesses. On April 29, 2016, Berkshire acquired certain assets related to the SBA lending operations of 44 Business Capital LLC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained in this document that are not historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (referred to as the Securities Act), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (referred to as the Securities Exchange Act), and are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements from the use of the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “plan,” “potential,” “estimate,” “project,” “believe,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “target” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks, assumptions and uncertainties, including among other things, changes in general economic and business conditions, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, legislative and regulatory change, changes in the financial markets, and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that Berkshire Hills Bancorp files with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 and the Risk Factors in Item 1A of this report. Because of these and other uncertainties, Berkshire’s actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements. In addition, Berkshire’s past results of operations do not necessarily indicate Berkshire’s combined future results.

Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that includes a Proxy Statement/Prospectus filed by Berkshire Hills Bancorp with the SEC on October 24, 2016 related to the acquisition of First Choice Bank. This document contains forward-looking statements about the merger of Berkshire Hills Bancorp and First Choice. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include difficulties in achieving cost savings from the merger or in achieving such cost savings within the expected time frame, difficulties in integrating Berkshire Hills Bancorp and First Choice, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the business in which Berkshire Hills Bancorp and First Choice are engaged, changes in the securities markets and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that Berkshire Hills Bancorp files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

You should not place undue reliance on any of the forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the dates on which they were made. Berkshire is not undertaking an obligation to update forward-looking statements, even though its situation may change in the future, except as required under federal securities law. Berkshire qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

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SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following summary data is based in part on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes and other information appearing elsewhere in this or prior Forms 10-Q.



	At or for the						At or for the
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
PER COMMON SHARE DATA (1)
Net earnings, diluted	$	0.53		$	0.49		$	1.57		$	1.20
Adjusted earnings, diluted (2)	0.57			0.54			1.64			1.55
Total book value	29.97			28.48			29.97			28.48
Tangible book value (2)	18.78			17.61			18.78			17.61
Dividends	0.20			0.19			0.60			0.57
Common stock price:
High	28.37			29.81			28.93			29.81
Low	25.90			26.68			24.71			24.27
Close	27.71			27.54			27.71			27.54

PERFORMANCE RATIOS (1)(3)
Return on assets	0.82		%	0.78		%	0.82		%	0.63		%
Adjusted return on assets (2)	0.88			0.86			0.86			0.81
Return on equity	7.29			6.90			7.21			5.71
Adjusted return on equity (2)	7.75			7.58			7.53			7.34
Adjusted return on tangible equity (2)	12.99			12.78			12.55			12.43
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (FTE) (4)	3.25			3.37			3.30			3.29
Net interest margin, excluding purchased loan accretion and FTE (2)	3.13			3.22			3.18			3.18
Fee income/Net interest and fee income	23.81			19.38			22.03			21.76
Efficiency ratio (2)	57.90			60.35			58.81			61.63

GROWTH
Total commercial loans, (annualized)	6		%	37		%	8		%	37		%
Total loans, (annualized)	3			29			7			28
Total deposits, (annualized)	7			14			4			24
Total net revenues, (compared to prior year)	10			17			13			19
Earnings per share, (compared to prior year)	8			2			31			34
Adjusted earnings per share, (compared to prior year) (2)	6			17			6			17

FINANCIAL DATA: (In millions) (1)
Total assets	$	7,931		$	7,804		$	7,931		$	7,804
Total earning assets	7,229			7,130			7,229			7,130
Total investments	1,162			1,439			1,162			1,439
Total borrowings	1,138			1,301			1,138			1,301
Total loans	6,047			5,665			6,047			5,665
Allowance for loan losses	43			38			43			38
Total intangible assets	348			337			348			337
Total deposits	5,750			5,507			5,750			5,507
Total common stockholders’ equity	933			882			933			882
Net Income	16.4			14.7			48.3			33.5
Adjusted income (2)	17.4			16.2			50.4			43.1

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	At or for the						At or for the
	Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016			2015			2016			2015
ASSET QUALITY AND CONDITION RATIOS (1)(5)
Net charge-offs (annualized)/average loans	0.20		%	0.26		%	0.22		%	0.26		%
Allowance for loan losses/total loans	0.71			0.67			0.71			0.67
Loans/deposits	105			103			105			103
Shareholders' equity to total assets	11.76			11.30			11.76			11.30
Tangible shareholders' equity to tangible assets (2)	7.70			7.30			7.70			7.30

FOR THE PERIOD: (In thousands) (1)
Net interest income	$	57,971		$	56,971		$	173,109		$	155,101
Non-interest income	18,941			12,698			49,126			42,040
Provision for loan losses	4,734			4,240			13,262			12,295
Non-interest expense	48,844			49,378			142,212			148,551
Net income	16,381			14,701			48,339			33,504
Adjusted Income (2)	17,418			16,151			50,421			43,081

______________________________________

(1) Adjusted measurements are non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted to exclude net non-operating charges primarily related to acquisitions and restructuring activities. Refer to the Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures on page 76 for additional information.


(2)	Non-GAAP financial measure.

(3) All performance ratios are annualized and are based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.

(4) Fully taxable equivalent considers the impact of tax advantaged investment securities and loans.

(5) Generally accepted accounting principles require that loans acquired in a business combination be recorded at fair value, whereas loans from business activities are recorded at cost. The fair value of loans acquired in a business combination includes expected loan losses, and there is no loan loss allowance recorded for these loans at the time of acquisition. Accordingly, the ratio of the loan loss allowance to total loans is reduced as a result of the existence of such loans, and this measure is not directly comparable to prior periods. Similarly, net loan charge-offs are normally reduced for loans acquired in a business combination since these loans are recorded net of expected loan losses. Therefore, the ratio of net loan charge-offs to average loans is reduced as a result of the existence of such loans, and this measure is not directly comparable to prior periods. Other institutions may have loans acquired in a business combination, and therefore there may be no direct comparability of these ratios between and among other institutions.

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AVERAGE BALANCES AND AVERAGE YIELDS/RATES

The following table presents average balances and an analysis of average rates and yields on an annualized fully taxable equivalent basis for the periods included:



	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016				2015				2016				2015
($ In millions)	Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)		Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)		Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)		Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)
Assets
Loans:
Commercial real estate	$	2,261	4.28	%	$	1,949	4.47	%	$	2,171	4.30	%	$	1,828	4.35	%
Commercial and industrial loans	1,010		5.15		999		4.79		1,028		5.04		897		4.04
Residential mortgages	1,839		3.60		1,664		3.74		1,799		3.69		1,566		3.92
Consumer loans	900		3.41		814		3.29		851		3.42		801		3.25
Total loans (1)	6,010		4.10		5,426		4.14		5,849		4.13		5,092		4.01
Investment securities (2)	1,198		3.26		1,354		2.92		1,263		3.27		1,277		3.00
Short term investments & loans held for sale (3)	40		1.69		52		1.34		46		1.30		60		1.29
Total interest-earning assets	7,248		3.94		6,832		3.87		7,158		3.94		6,429		3.77
Intangible assets	349				330				343				303
Other non-interest earning assets	360				379				352				346
Total assets	$	7,957			$	7,541			$	7,853			$	7,078

Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Deposits:
NOW	$	475	0.12	%	$	475	0.14	%	$	484	0.13	%	$	453	0.15	%
Money market	1,448		0.46		1,474		0.42		1,423		0.47		1,440		0.40
Savings	608		0.12		616		0.15		608		0.12		575		0.16
Time	2,095		1.10		1,795		0.90		2,069		1.05		1,591		0.91
Total interest-bearing deposits	4,626		0.67		4,360		0.55		4,584		0.65		4,059		0.54
Borrowings and notes (4)	1,247		1.53		1,210		0.80		1,239		1.37		1,210		0.80
Total interest-bearing liabilities	5,873		0.85		5,570		0.61		5,823		0.80		5,269		0.60
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits	1,085				1,011				1,048				952
Other non-interest earning liabilities	100				108				89				74
Total liabilities	7,058				6,689				6,960				6,295

Total shareholders’ equity (2)	899				852				893				783
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	7,957			$	7,541			$	7,853			$	7,078

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	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2016				2015				2016				2015
	Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)		Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)		Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)		Average Balance		Yield/Rate (FTE basis)
Net interest spread			3.09	%			3.26	%			3.14	%			3.17	%
Net interest margin (5)			3.25				3.37				3.30				3.29
Cost of funds			0.72				0.51				0.68				0.51
Cost of deposits			0.54				0.45				0.53				0.43

Supplementary data
Total deposits (In millions)	$	5,711			$	5,371			$	5,632			$	5,011
Fully taxable equivalent income adj. (In thousands) (6)	1,190				1,131				1,171				1,029

_____________________________________


(1)	The average balances of loans include nonaccrual loans and deferred fees and costs.


(2)	The average balance for securities available for sale is based on amortized cost. The average balance of equity also reflects this adjustment.


(3)	Interest income on loans held for sale is included in loan interest income on the income statement.


(4)	The average balances of borrowings includes the capital lease obligation presented under other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.


(5)	Purchased loan accretion totaled $2.2 million and $2.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Purchased loan accretion totaled $6.3 million and $5.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively.


(6)	Fully taxable equivalent considers the impact of tax advantaged investment securities and loans.

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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This document contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with U.S Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”). These non-GAAP measures are intended to provide the reader with additional supplemental perspectives on operating results, performance trends, and financial condition. Non-GAAP financial measures are not a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information. The Company’s non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar non-GAAP information which may be presented by other companies. In all cases, it should be understood that non-GAAP operating measures do not depict amounts that accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders. An item which management excludes when computing non-GAAP adjusted earnings can be of substantial importance to the Company’s results and condition for any particular quarter or year. A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is provided below.

The Company utilizes the non-GAAP measure of adjusted earnings in evaluating operating trends, including components for operating revenue and expense. These measures exclude amounts which the Company views as unrelated to its normalized operations, including securities gains/losses, merger costs, restructuring costs, and systems conversion costs. These adjustments are presented net of an adjustment for related income tax expense. This adjustment is determined as the difference between the GAAP tax rate and the effective tax rate applicable to adjusted income. The Company calculates several non-GAAP performance measures based on its measure of adjusted earnings, including adjusted earnings per share, adjusted return on assets, adjusted return on equity, and

the efficiency ratio. The Company views these amounts as important to understanding its performance trends, particularly due to the impact of accounting standards related to merger and acquisition activity. Several of these measures are used as performance metrics in assessing the achievement of short and long term incentive compensation for management. Analysts also rely on these measures in estimating and evaluating the Company’s performance. Management also believes that the computation of non-GAAP earnings and earnings per share may facilitate the comparison of the Company to other companies in the financial services industry. The Company adjusts certain equity related measures to exclude intangible assets due to the importance of these measures to the investment community and as components of regulatory capital supervision.

Charges related to merger and acquisition activity consist primarily of severance/benefit related expenses, contract termination costs, systems conversion costs, variable compensation, and professional fees. Restructuring costs primarily consist of costs and losses associated with the disposition of assets and lease terminations, together with executive severance. During the most recent quarter, revenue included the gain recorded on the sale of the two branches, which the Company does not include in its measures of adjusted revenues and earnings.

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RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

The following table summarizes the reconciliation of non-GAAP items recorded for the time periods and dates indicated:



		At or for the Three Months Ended						At or for the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
(in thousands)		September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
GAAP Net income		$	16,381		$	14,701		$	48,339		$	33,504
Adj: Gain on sale of securities, net		(78		)	(49		)	(101		)	(2,467		)
Adj: Net gain on sale of branches		(563		)	—			(563		)	—
Adj: Merger and acquisition expense		1,453			2,987			2,681			11,927
Adj: Restructuring and conversion expense		717			374			1,147			4,566
Adj: Income taxes		(492		)	(1,862		)	(1,082		)	(4,449		)
Total adjusted income (non-GAAP)	(A)	$	17,418		$	16,151		$	50,421		$	43,081

GAAP Total revenue		$	76,912		$	69,669		$	222,235		$	197,141
Adj: Gain on sale of securities, net		(78		)	(49		)	(101		)	(2,467		)
Adj: Net gain on branch sales		(563		)	—			(563		)	—
Total operating revenue (non-GAAP)	(B)	$	76,271		$	69,620		$	221,571		$	194,674

GAAP Total non-interest expense		$	48,844		$	49,378		$	142,212		$	148,551
Less: Total non-operating expense (see above)		(2,170		)	(3,361		)	(3,828		)	(16,493		)
Operating non-interest expense (non-GAAP)	(C)	$	46,674		$	46,017		$	138,384		$	132,058

(in millions, except per share data)
Total average assets	(D)	$	7,957		$	7,541		$	7,852		$	7,078
Total average shareholders’ equity	(E)	899			852			893			783
Total average tangible shareholders’ equity	(F)	550			522			551			480
Total tangible shareholders’ equity, period-end (1)	(G)	584			545			584			545
Total tangible assets, period-end (1)	(H)	7,583			7,468			7,583			7,468
Total common shares outstanding, period-end (thousands)	(I)	31,122			30,949			31,122			30,949
Average diluted shares outstanding (thousands)	(J)	30,811			30,069			30,757			27,847

Earnings per share, diluted		$	0.53		$	0.49		$	1.58		$	1.20
Adjusted earnings per share, diluted	(A/J)	0.57			0.54			1.64			1.55
Book value per share, period-end		29.97			28.48			29.97			28.48
Tangible book value per share, period-end	(G/I)	18.78			17.61			18.78			17.61
Total shareholders' equity/total assets		11.76			11.30			11.76			11.30
Total tangible shareholder's equity/total tangible assets	(G)/(H)	7.70			7.30			7.70			7.30

Performance ratios (2)
GAAP return on assets		0.82		%	0.78		%	0.82		%	0.63		%
Adjusted return on assets	(A/D)	0.88			0.86			0.86			0.81
GAAP return on equity		7.29			6.90			7.21			5.71
Adjusted return on equity	(A/E)	7.75			7.58			7.53			7.34
Adjusted return on tangible equity (3)	(A/F)	12.99			12.78			12.55			12.43
Efficiency ratio	(C-M)/(B+K+N)	57.90			60.35			58.81			61.63

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		At or for the Three Months Ended						At or for the Nine Months Ended
		September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
(in thousands)		September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015			September 30, 2016			September 30, 2015
Supplementary data (in thousands)
Tax benefit on tax-credit investments (4)	(K)	$	1,852		$	4,029		$	6,217		$	12,098
Non-interest income charge on tax-credit investments (5)	(L)	(1,525		)	(2,851		)	(4,564		)	(8,554		)
Net income on tax-credit investments	(K+L)	327			1,178			1,653			3,543
Intangible amortization	(M)	749			887			2,355			2,722
Fully taxable equivalent income adjustment	(N)	1,200			1,131			3,154			3,088

_______________________________________


(1)	Total tangible shareholders’ equity is computed by taking total shareholders’ equity less the intangible assets at period-end. Total tangible assets is computed by taking total assets less the intangible assets at period-end.


(2)	Ratios are annualized and based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.


(3)	Adjusted return on tangible equity is computed by dividing the total adjusted income adjusted for the tax-affected amortization of intangible assets, assuming a 40% marginal rate, by tangible equity.


(4)	The tax benefit is the direct reduction to the income tax provision due to tax credits and deductions generated from investments in historic rehabilitation, low-income housing, new market projects, and renewable energy projects.


(5)	The non-interest income charge is the reduction to the tax-advantaged commercial project investments, which are incurred as the tax credits are generated.

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SUMMARY

Net income and earnings per share increased year to year for both the third quarter and first nine months of 2016 due to expanded operations and improved profitability, including the benefit from merger and restructuring activities charged against 2015 results. Growth was reflected in the 13% increase in nine month revenue, which generated positive operating leverage and an increase in the nine month ROA to 0.82%. Berkshire’s quarterly shareholder dividend increased by 5% to $0.20 per share in 2016, which provided a 2.9% annualized yield compared to the average closing price of Berkshire’s stock in the most recent quarter.

Berkshire’s results include the Hampden operations acquired on April 17, 2015, the Firestone operations acquired on August 7, 2015, and the 44 Business Capital operations acquired on April 29, 2016. As a result, many measures of revenue, expense, income, and average balances increased compared to prior periods, and per share measures were affected by new shares issued for merger consideration. Third quarter operations in both years included the contributions from both of the 2015 acquisitions.

The Company uses the non-GAAP measure of adjusted earnings, and related metrics, to evaluate the results of its operations. The use of this measure, and its reconciliation to GAAP, is discussed further in a later section of this report. Third quarter GAAP earnings per share increased by 8% to $0.53 in 2016 from $0.49 in 2015. Adjusted earnings per share increased by 6% to $0.57 from $0.54. The 44 Business Capital operations acquired in 2016 contributed $0.02 to earnings per share in the most recent quarter. The third quarter net contribution of tax credit investments decreased by $0.03 per share to $0.01 in 2016 from $0.04 in 2015. The GAAP ROA improved to 0.82% in 2016, while the adjusted ROA reached 0.88%, which is the highest quarterly result in several years.

Third quarter financial highlights included the following (comparisons are to prior quarter unless otherwise stated):


•	7% increase in net revenue


•	6% annualized commercial loan growth


•	7% annualized deposit growth


•	17% increase in fee income


•	3.25% net interest margin (fully taxable equivalent)


•	57.9% efficiency ratio (non-GAAP financial measure)


•	0.26% non-performing assets/assets


•	0.20% net loan charge-offs/average loans

Berkshire’s strategy to increase fee income resulted in a 17% increase in third quarter fee income over the prior quarter and a 32% increase year over year. This growth was primarily due to loan related fees and mortgage banking revenue. In the third quarter, the Company promoted Michael Carroll to the new position of EVP, Specialty Lending, to oversee small business lending, Firestone (equipment lending) and 44 Business Capital (SBA lending). Berkshire is a leading SBA lender in several of its markets and in September gained the number one ranking for the number of SBA 7(a) Loan Program originations in Connecticut for the first time. Berkshire made further progress with its new Boston Congress Street branch which is expected to open for business early in 2017. This will be among the first Berkshire branches to feature virtual teller technology which further automates routine service and frees resources for improved sales and service. Berkshire also moved forward with its First Choice Bank acquisition in Princeton, New Jersey, which is targeted for completion before year-end 2016. The Company completed the sale of two New York branches in the most recent quarter and announced plans to consolidate three more branches in the first quarter of 2017. The Company also recently entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the assets of an established financial advisory practice based in Rutland, Vermont, which will serve that regional market as well as adding additional financial advisory capabilities.

Longer term U.S. Treasury interest rates reached record low levels around midyear 2016 reflecting the “lower for longer” market expectations about low interest rates that are pressuring industry profitability. As a result, Berkshire anticipates that asset yield compression will further pressure industry earnings and the Company is pursuing further revenue diversification and operating efficiencies with the goal of supporting future earnings growth. The lower

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interest rates spurred demand for residential mortgages and commercial interest rate swaps in the third quarter and also supported revenues related to portfolio loan sales and gains on recoveries of acquired impaired loans. These revenue sources contributed to the higher fee income and more than offset the reduced tax credit benefit in the most recent quarter.

The First Choice acquisition is expected to bring Berkshire’s total assets to approximately $9 billion by year-end 2016 and moves the Company towards the $10 billion regulatory threshold that impose additional requirements and costs on its operations. These regulatory costs are primarily related to consumer compliance, capital analysis, and risk management. The Company estimates that it has absorbed nearly $5 million of these costs in its current annualized expense run rate. The Company believes that at this time it has absorbed the majority of the annual expense burden required for this threshold. Once it crosses the threshold, it expects to lose bank card interchange fee revenue which will be generally similar in magnitude to the regulatory expense burden described above. The Company believes that it has ample time and possible scenarios to manage its growth through this transition and to achieve the size and scale efficiencies sufficient to offset these impacts on its returns on assets and equity. The Company recently recruited Gregory Lindenmuth as EVP and Chief Risk Officer, who will oversee the Company’s preparations for the increased regulatory requirements at the $10 billion threshold. Mr. Lindenmuth was previously a senior federal regulatory examination official.

COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND DECEMBER 31, 2015

Summary: Berkshire produced 6% loan growth and 3% deposit growth in the first nine months of 2016. The investment portfolio declined by 16% as lower yielding securities were sold in order to support the net interest margin and fund loan growth. Asset quality metrics remained comparatively favorable. Total assets increased by $100 million, or 1%, to $7.9 billion. Proceeds from investment sales also funded a 10% decrease in borrowings. The Company has maintained a modestly asset sensitive interest rate risk profile which would benefit operations if future interest rate increases occur. Liquidity was reduced slightly as a result of the loan growth. For the year-to-date, total book value per share increased by 5% to $29.97 and tangible book value per share (a non-GAAP financial measure) increased by 5% to $18.78. Retained earnings improved Berkshire’s capital metrics while also supporting business expansion and the higher dividend. In addition to expanding the business and operating profitability, the First Choice acquisition is targeted to improve both capital and liquidity metrics, including the benefit of Berkshire shares to be issued as merger consideration.

Securities: The Company continues to position the portfolio as a source of liquidity and income. The portfolio was managed to support the net interest margin and fund loan growth for the year-to-date in 2016. The Company will further evaluate the portfolio when the First Choice Bank acquisition is completed.

Total investment securities decreased by $218 million, or 16%, during the first nine months of 2016 due to the deleveraging of the investment portfolio through the sale of lower margin investment securities. The balance of medium term agency collateralized mortgage obligations decreased by $291 million to $542 million during this time. Proceeds were reinvested in loans and funded the paydown of borrowings. Additionally, proceeds were invested in purchases of higher yielding securities available for sale. This resulted in increases of $62 million in agency commercial mortgage-backed securities, $17 million in municipal bonds, and $21 million in equity securities. These actions offset the further impact of yield compression on the mortgage backed securities portfolio, which is the primary component of investment securities. The total yield on the securities portfolio increased to 3.26% in the third quarter of 2016, compared to 2.96% in the fourth quarter of 2015. The average life of the bond portfolio increased to 5.3 years at September 30, 2016, compared to 4.9 years at the start of the year. The mix change towards longer maturities was generally offset by the shorter expected average lives of mortgage backed securities based on the drop in long term interest rates. Debt investment securities purchased in 2016 were all investment grade or investment grade equivalent.

Loans. Berkshire is expanding and deepening its lending activities through organic growth and acquisitions, including a focus on its specialized lending areas. The Company uses secondary markets and a growing network of financial institution partners in managing and diversifying its portfolio, as well as supporting its fee income objectives.

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Total loans increased by $322 million, growing by 6% during the first nine months of 2016. This included a $267 million increase in commercial real estate loans and a $105 million increase in consumer loans. Commercial and industrial loans decreased by $53 million and residential mortgages were flat. Third quarter trends were generally reflective of nine month trends as well.

The growth in commercial real estate loans reflected strong demand in the Company’s markets, including the impacts of increased economic activity, ongoing low interest rates, and changes in competitive conditions. Originations were concentrated in Berkshire’s New York and Connecticut markets. Some larger loans were variable rate and were paired with interest rate swaps (which increased by $185 million for the first nine months of 2016). Loan growth in 2016 has been largely in the category of investor commercial real estate, based on longstanding relationships in Berkshire’s regional markets. Growth included the $36 million of non-guaranteed portions of SBA loans purchased as part of the 44 Business Capital acquisition in the second quarter. Growth also included increased loans to retail and multi-tenanted properties with strong anchors, multifamily properties, and healthcare related properties. Due to its asset management strategies in recent years, Berkshire has been positioned to support its markets while also managing well within regulatory guidelines for commercial real estate lending. Berkshire’s total commercial real estate exposure measured 265% of regulatory capital at period-end, compared to the 300% regulatory monitoring guidelines (based on regulatory definitions). Commercial construction loan exposure was 37% of regulatory capital, compared to the 100% guideline. Berkshire monitors its commercial lending risk using the enhanced processes required for banks exceeding the monitoring thresholds even though it is well margined below those thresholds. The decrease in commercial and industrial loans included seasonal paydowns in specialized lending along with reductions in targeted lower profitability participated loans. Total commercial and industrial loans and owner occupied commercial mortgages added up to $1.57 billion at September 30, 2016, and comprised 47% of total commercial balances at that date.

Residential mortgage balances were unchanged at $1.82 billion for the first nine months of 2016. Residential mortgage originations were boosted by stronger demand in 2016 which resulted from the low interest rates that emerged in the first half of the year. Berkshire originates residential mortgages across its regional footprint. Berkshire’s mortgage originations totaled $596 million for the year-to-date. The Company sells most fixed rate conforming mortgage originations into the secondary market on a servicing released basis to generate revenue and manage interest rate risk. Most originations of jumbo mortgages are retained. Additionally, the company’s wholesale transactions with regional financial institutions included purchases totaling $150 million and sales totaling $238 million for the first nine months of 2016. The Company has a growing network of financial institution partners who participate in these mortgage transactions. The planned merger with First Choice Bank is targeted to substantially increase Berkshire’s mortgage banking business. First Choice originated $1.9 billion in residential mortgages for sale in the first nine months of 2016. Berkshire’s consumer loans increased by $105 million for 2016 year-to-date as a result of the expansion of the indirect auto dealer network across the footprint of the Company’s franchise. Berkshire originates prime new and used auto loans. Growth moderated in the third quarter as Berkshire adjusted its programs based on secondary market conditions.

Despite the ongoing pressure of yield compression related to low interest rates, the Company used management of its loan mix to mostly offset this compression in 2016. The yield benefited from the 25 basis point increase in short term rates in December 2015. Additionally, the yield benefited from higher yielding loans from the Firestone acquisition in the third quarter of 2015 and the higher yield assigned to the unguaranteed SBA loan participations from the 44 Business Capital acquisition. The total loan yield decreased to 4.10% in the third quarter of 2016 compared to 4.15% in the fourth quarter of 2015. The loan yield includes purchased loan accretion, which consists primarily of recoveries of purchased credit impaired loans. Measured before accretion, the loan yield decreased to 3.95% in the most recent quarter, compared to 3.98% in the final quarter of 2015.

At the end of the most recent quarter, 41% of loans contractually repriced within one year, 21% repriced in one to five years, and 38% repriced over five years. At year-end 2015, approximately 32% of the loan portfolio was scheduled to reprice within one year, 27% was scheduled to reprice in one - five years, and 41% was scheduled to reprice over five years. As noted in the above securities discussion, the drop in interest rates at midyear is believed to have reduced the overall duration and average life of the loan portfolio and to have contributed to an increase in the premium fair value of the portfolio over book value.

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Asset Quality. Asset quality metrics remained favorable and generally improved slightly from the prior quarter and the start of the year. Third quarter annualized net loan charge-offs measured 0.20% of average loans and period-end non-performing assets were 0.26% of total assets. Accruing delinquent loans were 0.31% of total loans, including accruing loans over 90 days past due measuring 0.07% of total loans. Loans identified as troubled debt restructurings decreased slightly to $22 million. Loans which became non-accruing totaled $7 million which was within the general run rate range of $4-10 million experienced for a number of recent quarters. At period-end, the total contractual balance of purchased credit impaired loans was $30 million, with a $15 million carrying value. The $15 million discount included $5 million in accretable yield and $10 million in nonaccretable discount. The 44 Business Capital business combination included impaired loans with a book value of $6.2 million and a fair value of $2.6 million, including $0.7 million in accretable discount.

Loan Loss Allowance. The determination of the allowance for loan losses is a critical accounting estimate. The Company considers the allowance for loan losses appropriate to cover probable losses which can be reasonably estimated in the loan portfolio as of the balance sheet date. Under accounting standards for business combinations, acquired loans are recorded at fair value with no loan loss allowance on the date of acquisition. A loan loss allowance is recorded by the Company for the emergence of new probable and estimable losses on acquired loans which were not impaired as of the acquisition date. Because of the accounting for acquired loans, some measures of the loan loss allowance are not comparable to periods prior to the acquisition date or to peer measures.

The loan loss allowance increased by $4 million, or 10%, in the first nine months of 2016. The ratio of the allowance to total loans increased slightly to 0.71% from 0.69% over this period. The allowance on loans from business activities remained unchanged at 0.76% of related loans; net annualized charge-offs of these loans measured 0.21% in the first nine months of 2016. The allowance on acquired loans increased to 0.46% from 0.41% of related loans; net annualized charge-offs of these loans measured 0.23% in the first nine months of 2016. At period-end, the allowance provided 3.4X coverage of annualized year-to-date net charge-offs and 2.1X coverage of period-end non-accrual loans. Criticized loans decreased to 1.6% of total assets from 1.9% at the start of the year due primarily to a $14 million decrease in criticized loans from business activities, including an $8 million decrease to $52 million in potential problem loans, which the Company defines as substandard accruing loans from business activities. The ratio of criticized assets to the total of the Bank’s Tier 1 Capital plus the loan loss allowance declined to 20% from 24% during the first nine months of 2016.

Deposits. Berkshire increased its deposits in 2016 while also selling two outlying branches with $30 million in deposits. Total deposits increased by $161 million, or 3% for the year-to-date. Time deposits and money market accounts were the primary contributors to overall growth. Berkshire focuses on demand deposits, which grew by 3% for the first nine months of 2016, including both personal and commercial accounts. Personal account balances accounted for $90 million of the total deposit growth. Accounts over $250,000 increased by $249 million for the nine month period. The cost of deposits increased to 0.54% in the most recent quarter from 0.48% in the fourth quarter of 2015. This was primarily driven by higher time deposit costs, reflecting both the upward resetting of brokered deposits following the December rate increase, along with current market rates for raising new funds to support growth. Based on annual deposit summary reports as of midyear published by the FDIC, over the latest year Berkshire gained deposit market share in the median city in all major regional markets in which it competes.

The loans/deposits ratio increased to 105% at period-end compared to 102% at the start of the year and is expected to improve when the First Choice merger is completed.

Borrowings. Total borrowings decreased by $125 million in the first nine months of 2016, which was largely funded with proceeds from investment sales. The decrease was mostly in short term Federal Home Loan Bank advances. The cost of borrowings increased to 1.53% in the most recent quarter from 0.96% in the fourth quarter of 2016. This increase included the impact of the 0.25% rate increase on the short term variable rate loans which constitute the preponderance of borrowings. Additionally, it included the approximate 0.50% impact from the activation of forward starting swaps in 2016 and which were fully active in the most recent quarter.

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Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities. The notional balance of derivative financial instruments increased by $486 million, or 36%, to $1.85 billion in the first nine months of 2016. This included a $370 million increase in economic hedges related to commercial loan interest rate swaps reflecting strong customer demand for fixed rate loan protection in the low rate environment that developed in 2016. The Company recognizes loan fee income on the sale of these financial instruments, as further discussed in a later section. Customer swaps issued by the Bank are backed by similar swaps transacted with the Company’s national financial institution counterparties. As a result, the $370 million increase represented approximately $185 million in commercial customer loan transactions. Hedging instruments related to mortgage banking increased by $98 million in 2016 due to increased volume of interest rate locks due to strong demand by mortgage customers for purchase and refinancing commitments in the attractive borrowing environment.

At year-end 2015, the Company had $300 million of forward starting interest rate swaps which were scheduled to become active during the first three quarters of 2016, and which are now all fully active including swaps that activated in the third quarter. These are all fixed payment swaps with a 2.29% weighted average pay rate and a 2.5 year average remaining maturity at period-end. They are hedging borrowings that had a 0.52% variable rate cost at period-end. The Company anticipates that this cost will increase in the future and that the net cost of these fixed rate hedges will correspondingly decline. The unrealized loss on these swaps increased to $11 million from $9 million over the first nine months and this was the primary component of the overall net loss on derivative financial instruments, which increased to $14 million from $11 million over this period. Most of this loss (after tax) is reflected in changes in other comprehensive income which is a component of shareholders’ equity.

Shareholders’ Equity. Berkshire’s capital metrics improved in the first nine months of 2016, largely due to the benefit of retained earnings, which were sufficient to support dividends and organic growth as well as higher capital ratios. Total equity increased by $45 million, or 5%, including the benefit of $30 million in retained earnings. Additionally, accumulated other comprehensive income increased by $12 million due to the net after-tax impact on the fair value of available for sale securities and derivative instruments in the lower rate environment at period end. Book value per share increased by 5% to $29.97 and the ratio of equity to assets improved to 11.8% from 11.3%.

The Company also evaluates changes in tangible book value, a non-GAAP financial measure which is a commonly considered valuation metric used by the investment community and which parallels some regulatory capital measures. Tangible book value increased by $31 million, or 6%, and is net of goodwill and other intangible assets. The 44 Business Capital business combination resulted in a $16 million increase in goodwill. Tangible book value per share increased by 5% to $18.78 during the first nine months of 2016. The ratio of tangible equity to tangible assets increased to 7.7% at the end of the most recent quarter, compared to 7.4% at the start of the year. The Company and the Bank remained Well Capitalized under regulatory guidelines at period-end.

The Company is implementing stress test processes which are required for banks that reach the $10 billion threshold. These include the evaluation of capital adequacy under severely stressed economic conditions. The Company plans to run through its first dry run of this testing in 2017. The Company will be further evaluating its capital structure based on the additional risk analysis that will result from this work. The Company expects to have this stress test functionality fully operating by the end of 2017.

COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 AND 2015

Summary. Berkshire’s results include the Hampden operations acquired on April 17, 2015, the Firestone operations acquired on August 7, 2015, and the 44 Business Capital operations acquired on April 29, 2016. For nine month results, many measures of revenue, expense, income, and average balances increased compared to 2015 since Hampden and Firestone were not owned for the full period in 2015. Per share measures were also affected by new shares issued for merger consideration. Much of the following discussion will focus on third quarter results which are more directly comparable because they include operations of Hampden and Firestone in both years. Additionally, some comparisons are made to the second quarter of 2016 to illustrate current trends.

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As noted previously, Berkshire uses a non-GAAP measure of adjusted net income (or adjusted earnings) to supplement its evaluation of its operating results. Adjusted net income excludes certain amounts not viewed as related to its normalized operations. These adjusting items consist primarily of merger, acquisition, conversion, and restructuring expenses, together with gains recorded on securities. Berkshire views its net merger related costs as part of the economic investment for its acquisitions. Please see the Non-GAAP reconciliation section of this discussion for more discussion and information about adjusted net income and other non-GAAP financial measures discussed in this report.

Third quarter GAAP net income increased by 11% to $16 million from year to year, while GAAP EPS increased by 8% to $0.53 including the impact of additional shares issued. Nine month GAAP net income increased by 44% to $48 million, while GAAP EPS increased by 31% to $1.57.

Third quarter adjusted EPS increased by 6% to $0.57 in 2016 from $0.54 in 2015. Compared to the prior year, third quarter operations in 2016 included a $0.02 contribution from 44 Business Capital but had a $0.03 reduction in the contribution from tax credit investment projects. Third quarter operations in 2016 also included the full benefit of cost saves achieved from Hampden, together with stronger mortgage banking results and other organic revenue gains.

Third quarter return on equity and return on assets improved year-over-year on both a GAAP and adjusted basis. GAAP return on assets improved to 0.82% and adjusted return on assets improved to 0.88%. Third quarter profitability benefited from higher fee income and improved efficiency, which more than offset a declining net interest margin. Fee income improved from 20% to 24% of total revenue. The efficiency ratio improved to 57.9% from 60.4%. The efficiency ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure that compares adjusted expenses and revenues to assess how well the Company is managing its costs. Return on equity improved to 7.75% while adjusted return on tangible equity improved to 13.0%. This non-GAAP financial measure compares adjusted earnings to average tangible equity in order to measure the rate of internal capital generation to support ongoing growth and dividends

Revenue. Year over year, nine month revenue increased by 13% and third quarter net revenue increased by 10%. This included the benefit of a 7% increase compared to the second quarter of 2016. Annualized third quarter revenue per share increased to $9.99 in 2016 from $9.27 in the prior year. The $7 million year-over-year pickup in third quarter revenue was primarily driven by a $4 million improvement in fee income, together with a $1 million increase in net interest income and a net increase of $2 million in other non-interest income.

Net Interest Income. The $1 million year-over-year increase in third quarter net interest income was driven by an 11% increase in average loan balances due primarily to organic growth in all major lending categories. Total average earning assets increased by 6%. The benefit of volume growth was largely offset by a decrease in the net interest margin to 3.25% from 3.37% for these periods. This 0.12% decrease included an approximate 0.09% impact from the activation of forward starting interest rate swaps in 2016, which increased the effective pay rate on $300 million in borrowings. Results in the most recent quarter included the full impact of these costs, which have a remaining contractual life of 2.5 years.

The Company estimates that its net interest income marginally benefited from the 0.25% increase in short term interest rates, but this benefit was more than offset by the flattening of the yield curve and the yield compression related to ongoing low interest rates. Based on the market’s forward interest rate expectation, the Company’s models indicate modest margin pressure from these forces in the coming quarters. Net interest income also includes the benefit of accretion from purchased credit impaired loans, including recoveries.

Loan accretion totaled $2.2 million in the third quarter and $6.3 million in the first nine months of 2016, compared to $2.7 million and $5.2 million in the same periods of 2015. The Company measures its net interest margin before purchased loan accretion, and this non-GAAP measure decreased in the third quarter to 3.13% in 2016 from 3.22% in 2015. The Company expects to record significant discount on purchased credit impaired loans related to the First Choice Bank acquisition and this may add significant new accretion benefit depending on final purchased loan accounting impacts. Other elements of net interest income, including deposit costs, may also be impacted by the First Choice acquisition.

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Non-Interest Income. Third quarter non-interest income increased year-over-year by $6.2 million, or 49%, to $18.9 million in 2016. This included a $4.4 million increase over the second quarter of 2016. Total fee income increased by $4.4 million year-over-year due to a $3.6 million pickup in loan related fees and a $1.2 million gain in mortgage banking revenues. The major contributors to loan related fees are commercial loan interest rate swap revenue, SBA loan sale gains, and gains on the sale of portfolio loans. All of these categories increased from year to year and benefited from the lower interest rates prevailing in 2016. Third quarter swap revenues grew by $0.9 million to $1.5 million and were related to stronger commercial real estate loan originations. SBA loan sale gains totaled $1.0 million in the most recent quarter and were contributed by the new 44 Business Capital operations. Gains on portfolio loan sales increased by $1.2 million to $1.5 million as Berkshire increased its financial institution banking business. The gain in mortgage banking revenues was due to higher volumes and stronger pricing spreads based on stronger demand for mortgage originations in the favorable interest rate environment in 2016. The $0.3 million decrease in deposit related fees was primarily due to lower overdraft fee collections. The category of other non-interest income in the most recent quarter included $0.9 million related to bank owned life insurance and was net of $1.5 million in charges for the amortization of tax credit related investments. This charge was $2.9 million in the third quarter of 2015.These charges are more than offset by credits to income tax expense related to these projects. The year to year decrease was due to lower qualifying investments as further addressed in the following discussion of income tax expense. Non-interest income in the most recent quarter included $0.7 million in financial institution banking income and a $0.6 million gain arising from the sale of the two branches previously discussed.

Loan Loss Provision. The provision for loan losses increased year-to-year by $1.0 million for the first nine months and $0.5 million for the third quarter. The provision for loan losses is a charge to earnings in an amount sufficient to maintain the allowance for loan losses at a level deemed adequate by the Company. It is an estimate of the probable and estimable loan losses in the portfolio as of period-end. The level of the allowance is a critical accounting estimate and the level of the allowance was included in the discussion of financial condition. The amount of the provision exceeded net charge-offs, as the allowance has risen due to loan portfolio growth resulting from loan originations.

Non-Interest Expense. Nine month non-interest expense decreased by $6.3 million, or 4%. Third quarter non-interest expense decreased by $0.5 million, or 1%. These decreases were due to merger and restructuring charges, which decreased by $12.7 million for the nine month period and by $1.2 million for the third quarter. Elevated charges in 2015 were due primarily to the Hampden acquisition. The non-GAAP measure of adjusted expenses excludes these charges. Adjusted expenses increased by $6.3 million, or 5%, for the first nine months of the year. This nine month increase was primarily due to the impact of Hampden and Firestone, which were not owned for the full nine months in 2015. Third quarter adjusted expenses increased by $0.7 million, or 1%. This quarterly increase was related to the revenue increase, which measured 10% and included the new 44 Business Capital operations acquired in 2016. Expenses also benefited from completion of Hampden cost saves and restructuring activities in the second half of 2015. The improvement in the efficiency ratio reflected the positive operating leverage from the strong revenue growth with little growth in adjusted expenses. Annualized third quarter adjusted expense measured 2.35% of average assets in 2016 compared to 2.44% in 2015. Full time equivalent positions at September 30, 2016 totaled 1,208, compared to 1,169 a year earlier.

Income Tax Expense. The effective tax rate was 8% in the first nine months of 2015, but has been in the range of 25-30% during the first three quarters of 2016. This is due to the lower volume of qualifying tax credit investment projects as a result of new IRS guidance in 2016. Such investment projects continue to be developed by commercial relationships in Berkshire’s markets and they continue to provide an attractive but reduced return. As a result, the Company expects to continue to invest at current levels and to continue to post an effective tax rate on normal operations in the 25-30% range for the foreseeable future. Merger related charges are expected to reduce the GAAP tax rate below this normalized range. At current levels, the Company’s normalized effective tax rate before the benefit of tax credit investment projects is in the area of 35%. While these projects are expected to keep this rate in the 25-30% range, the benefit of the tax credits is substantially offset by charges to amortize these investments which are recorded in other non-interest income. The net benefit to earnings per share of these projects was $0.01 in the most recent quarter and the Company expects an annualized benefit of approximately $0.04 per share for the

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foreseeable future. Quarterly benefits are expected to be variable depending on the timing of project closings and completions.

Total Comprehensive Income. Total comprehensive income includes net income together with other comprehensive income. Other comprehensive income consists primarily of changes in the net fair value of available for sale securities and derivative hedges, net of related income taxes. These changes normally result from changes in market interest rates. Securities prices generally move inversely to interest rates and the value of the Company’s fixed payment swaps generally moves in the same direction as interest rates, as measured on the date of the balance sheet. The changes for the larger and longer direction securities portfolio often exceed the changes related to swaps. In the first nine months of 2016, longer term interest rates decreased and as a result, other comprehensive income was positive. In the first nine months of 2015, longer term interest rates generally increased and the result was an other comprehensive loss. In both years, the direction of interest rates changed in the third quarter, and therefore there was a loss in the third quarter of 2016 compared to income in 2015.

Acquisitions. The acquisition of certain business operations and assets related to 44 Business Capital was completed on April 29, 2016 and is described in Note 2 of the financial statement. This acquisition, located in the greater Philadelphia area, provides access to attractive mid-Atlantic commercial lending markets. 44 Business Capital specializes in originating SBA 7(a) guaranteed business loans, which generally exceed $1 million in loan size. This business sells the guaranteed portions of the loans and the Bank retains the unguaranteed portion. The business generates gains on the sale of these loans which is reported in loan related fee income. The Bank retains the servicing rights on sold loans; the notional balance of this servicing portfolio was $148 million at acquisition date, and the fair value premium was approximately 2.4% of the notional balance. The unguaranteed portion of the loans had a contractual balance of $43 million and was valued at $37 million at acquisition, representing a fair value discount of approximately 14% of the contractual balance. This business is complementary to Berkshire’s existing SBA loan program which generates smaller SBA loans. 44 Business Capital is also located within the market served by First Choice Bank and Berkshire expects to develop synergies between those operations, as well as with Berkshire’s Firestone Financial equipment lending operations. Berkshire organized its new Specialty Lending group in the most recent quarter which will oversee these operations. The 44 Business Capital acquisition by Berkshire Bank was financed primarily with cash and resulted in $16 million in goodwill that was recorded. Including merger costs, Berkshire estimates that this acquisition resulted in tangible book value dilution of $0.52 per share which the Company targets to earn back from earnings accretion within five years including a first year ramp up period. The Company is targeting an IRR in excess of 15% for this transaction. No cost savings were targeted with this acquisition. The pro forma analysis in the financial statement (assuming that the acquisition was completed on January 1, 2015) estimates that pro forma Berkshire earnings per share would have been $1.28 in the first nine months of 2015 including 44 Business Capital operations, compared to the $1.20 actual result without this business line. Pro forma combined results under these assumptions in the first nine months of 2016 would have been $1.60 in earnings per share (before acquisition expenses) compared to the $1.57 actually posted by the Company during this period. These results are qualified as set forth in the financial statement, and do not include the business expansion and synergies that Berkshire plans to develop this business and to achieve its payback goals.

The notes to the financial statements describe the pending acquisition of First Choice Bank. Berkshire expects to issue approximately 4.3 million common shares as consideration for the First Choice common and preferred stock. Based on the $27.71 closing price of Berkshire stock at period-end, the common stock consideration is valued at approximately $120 million. The actual valuation will be based on the stock price on the date the merger is completed. At September 30, 2016, First Choice reported $1.1 billion in assets, including $462 million in investment securities, $452 million in loans, and $885 million in deposits.

Liquidity and Cash Flows. Berkshire manages its liquidity and cash flows with the goal of meeting expected as well as stressed cash needs for the foreseeable future. For the first nine months of 2016, Berkshire used deposit growth and securities sales to fund loan growth and pay down borrowings. Loan growth included the purchase of loans related to the 44 Business Capital business combination. The loans/deposits ratio increased to 105% from 102% over the nine months. At period-end, the Company had approximately $608 million in borrowing availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank, compared to $576 million at the start of the year. The Bank is exploring options

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to increase the amounts of collateral available to support potential advance availability under the Federal Reserve Bank secured lending facility. The First Choice acquisition is expected to provide significant new liquidity to the combined Company. Additionally, the First Choice acquisition is intended to provide access to new deposit funding sources in attractive mid-Atlantic markets. Also, the sophisticated operations of the First Choice national mortgage banking business is expected to improve Berkshire’s overall access to national secondary mortgage markets.

Berkshire generally plans that over the medium term, deposit growth will be the primary source of funds and loan growth will be the primary use of funds. The Bank is diversifying its deposit sources including institutional and wholesale sources as part of the expansion of its liquidity management program and to provide additional options for managing its funds costs and asset liability objectives. In select cases, the Bank provides insured brokered reciprocal money market deposits to large institutional accounts to supplement its deposit insurance protection. The Bank is also expanding its use of short term institutional borrowings and FHLBB borrowings will continue to be a significant source of liquidity for daily operations and borrowings targeted for specific asset/liability purposes. The Company also uses interest rate swaps in managing its funds sources and uses.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp had a cash balance totaling $43 million as of September 30, 2016 which was on deposit with Berkshire Bank. The primary long run routine sources of funds for the Parent are expected to be dividends from Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Insurance Group, as well as cash from the exercise of stock options. The Bank paid $24 million in dividends to the Parent in the first nine months of 2016. The Parent also received $11 million in accumulated receivables from its subsidiaries during this period. The Parent purchased $18 million in equity securities during the first nine months of the year. Additionally, the Parent sometimes uses cash as an element of merger consideration and sometimes acquires cash as a source of funds as a result of business combinations. The Parent has a line of credit with a correspondent bank which was increased from $10 million to $15 million in 2016 due to the growth of the Company. This line was undrawn at the start of the year and was fully drawn at September 30, 2016.

Capital Resources. Please see the “Shareholders’ Equity” section of the Comparison of Financial Condition for a discussion of shareholders’ equity together with the note on Shareholders' Equity in the consolidated financial statements. At September 30, 2016, the regulatory capital ratios of the Bank and the Company continued to be consistent with the requirements to be classified as “Well Capitalized.” Additional information about regulatory capital is contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in the 2015 Form 10-K.

Berkshire views its earnings and related internal capital generation as a primary source of capital to support dividends and growth of the franchise. Additionally, the Company generally uses the issuance of common stock as the primary source of consideration for bank acquisitions, and such acquisitions may result in net increases or decreases in its capital ratios. Berkshire’s long term objective is to generate a double digit annual return on equity, and the Company evaluates lending, investment, and acquisition decisions with this objective as a benchmark. The Company also evaluates its return on tangible equity as an indicator of its capital generation to support ongoing balance sheet growth. The Risk Management and Capital Committee of Berkshire’s Board of Directors is responsible for assisting the Board in planning for future capital needs and for ensuring compliance with regulations pertaining to capital structure and levels. The Company believes that the market for its stock is an additional capital resource over the long run and that Berkshire’s common stock is a significant resource available as merger consideration in the event of future acquisitions and business combinations. Additionally, the Company continues to monitor market conditions for other forms of regulatory capital such as preferred stock or subordinated debt, which are additional potential future capital resources to the Company and/ or the Bank. The Company continues to enhance its internal processes for evaluating capital adequacy under various scenarios including stressed conditions.

The Company has initiated stress test processes which are required for banks that reach the $10 billion threshold. These include the evaluation of capital adequacy under severely stressed economic conditions. The Company plans to execute its first dry run of this testing in 2017. The Company will be further evaluating its capital structure based on the additional risk analysis that will result from this work. The Company expects to have this stress test functionality fully operating by the end of 2017.

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On April 29, 2016, the Company issued approximately 45 thousand shares of stock as a component of the consideration paid for the Bank’s acquisition of the assets and operations of 44 Business Capital LLC. The Company’s agreement to acquire First Choice Bank utilizes Berkshire’s common stock as 100% of the merger consideration. The Company expects to issue approximately 4.3 million common shares to complete this transaction, which is targeted for the fourth quarter of 2016. This transaction, together with the planned deposit deleveraging, is expected to contribute positively to the capital adequacy ratios of the Company.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations. In the normal course of operations, Berkshire engages in a variety of financial transactions that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles are not recorded in the Company’s financial statements. These transactions involve, to varying degrees, elements of credit, interest rate, and liquidity risk. Such transactions are used primarily to manage customers’ requests for funding and take the form of loan commitments and lines of credit. Further information about the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements and information relating to payments due under contractual obligations is presented in the 2015 Form 10-K. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments and hedging activities are included on the balance sheet and information related to these matters is reported in the related footnote to the consolidated financial statements, and was included in management’s discussion of changes in financial condition. In the first nine months of 2016, the Company completed the acquisition of assets and operations related to 44 Business Capital. Berkshire expects to enter into more derivative financial contracts and off-balance sheet arrangements as a result of taking on the SBA loan secondary marketing operations of 44 Business Capital, as well as other initiatives it is pursuing as part of its financial institutions banking initiative. At September 30, Berkshire had an agreement to acquire First Choice Bank, subject to customary regulatory and shareholder approvals. The Company expects to complete this transaction in the fourth quarter of 2016. First Choice has a national mortgage banking operation with significant secondary market activity which is expected to increase the overall off-balance sheet arrangements and contractual obligations for the combined company. Berkshire also has an agreement to acquire certain assets and operations of Ronald Lazzaro, PC (“Lazzaro”) and an agreement to sell the operations and related assets of Renaissance Investment Group (“Renaissance:”), which was completed on October 31, 2016. Taken together, these two transactions will have no significant net effect on wealth assets under management, Renaissance is a registered investment advisor based in Lenox, Massachusetts. Lazzaro is a financial planning team based in Rutland, Vermont. The Bank has agreed to pay $10.2 million, including $3.4 million in future contingent consideration comprised of cash and stock. The Company is targeting that these two transactions together will be accretive to future earnings per share after targeted costs saves are completed. They are targeted to be more complementary to operations and to provide better opportunities for synergies and revenue expansion.

Fair Value Measurements. The Company records fair value measurements of certain assets and liabilities, as described in the related note in the financial statements. There were no significant changes in the fair value measurement methodologies at September 30, 2016 compared to December 31, 2015. The Company compares the carrying value to fair value for major categories of financial assets and liabilities. The biggest difference relates to loans, and the change in the premium value of loans during the first nine months of the year was primarily related to the decrease in long term interest rates. The fair value of net loans exceeded carrying value by 1.3% at period-end 2016, compared to 0.7% at the end of 2015.

APPLICATION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES, AND RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in this Form 10-Q and in the most recent Form 10-K. Please see those policies in conjunction with this discussion. The accounting and reporting policies followed by the Company conform, in all material respects, to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and to general practices within the financial services industry. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. While the Company bases estimates on historical experience, current information and other factors deemed to be relevant, actual results could differ from those estimates.

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The SEC defines “critical accounting policies” as those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in future periods. Please see those policies in conjunction with this discussion. Management believes that the following policies would be considered critical under the SEC’s definition:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses represents probable credit losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio at the financial statement date and which may be estimated. Management uses historical information, as well as current economic data, to assess the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses as it is affected by changing economic conditions and various external factors, which may impact the portfolio in ways currently unforeseen. Although management believes that it uses appropriate available information to establish the allowance for loan losses, future additions to the allowance may be necessary if certain future events occur that cause actual results to differ from the assumptions used in making the evaluation. Conditions in the local economy and real estate values could require the Company to increase provisions for loan losses, which would negatively impact earnings.

Acquired Loans. Loans that the Company acquired in business combinations are initially recorded at fair value with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses. Determining the fair value of the loans involves estimating the amount and timing of principal and interest cash flows initially expected to be collected on the loans and discounting those cash flows at an appropriate market rate of interest. Going forward, the Company continues to evaluate reasonableness of expectations for the timing and the amount of cash to be collected. Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in changes in the amortization or accretion of fair market value adjustments, and in some cases may result in the loan being considered impaired. For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the Company estimates the fair value of the underlying collateral of the loans. These values are discounted using market derived rates of return, with consideration given to the period of time and costs associated with the foreclosure and disposition of the collateral.

Income Taxes. Significant management judgment is required in determining income tax expense and deferred tax assets and liabilities. The Company uses the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes in which deferred tax assets and liabilities are established for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. The realization of the net deferred tax asset generally depends upon future levels of taxable ordinary income, taxable capital gain income, and the existence of prior years' taxable income, to which "carry back" refund claims could be made. A valuation allowance is maintained for deferred tax assets that management estimates are more likely than not to be unrealizable based on available evidence at the time the estimate is made. In determining the valuation allowance, the Company uses historical and forecasted future operating results, including a review of the eligible carry-forward periods, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations. In particular, income tax benefits and deferred tax assets generated from tax-advantaged commercial development projects are based on management's assessment and interpretation of applicable tax law as it currently stands. These underlying assumptions can change from period to period. For example, tax law changes or variances in projected taxable ordinary income or taxable capital gain income could result in a change in the deferred tax asset or the valuation allowance. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those considered by management, the actual realization of the net deferred tax asset could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements. If the Company is not able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset in excess of the valuation allowance would be charged to income tax expense in the period such determination is made.

Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets. Goodwill and identifiable intangible assets are recorded as a result of business acquisitions and combinations. These assets are evaluated for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable. When these assets are evaluated for impairment, if the carrying amount exceeds fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to income. The fair value is based on observable market prices, when practicable. Other valuation techniques may be used when market prices are unavailable, including estimated discounted cash flows and analysis of market pricing multiples. These types of analyses contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and

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to apply judgment to estimate industry economic factors and the profitability of future business strategies. In the event of future changes in fair value, the Company may be exposed to an impairment charge that could be material.

Determination of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment of Securities. The Company evaluates debt and equity securities within the Company's available for sale and held to maturity portfolios for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI"), at least quarterly. If the fair value of a debt security is below the amortized cost basis of the security, OTTI is required to be recognized if any of the following are met: (1) the Company intends to sell the security; (2) it is "more likely than not" that the Company will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis; or (3) for debt securities, the present value of expected cash flows is not sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis. For all impaired debt securities that the Company intends to sell, or more likely than not will be required to sell, the full amount of the loss is recognized as OTTI through earnings. Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Noncredit related OTTI for such debt securities is recognized in other comprehensive income, net of applicable taxes. In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolios for OTTI, the Company considers its intent and ability to hold an equity security to recovery of its cost basis in addition to various other factors, including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost and the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer. Any OTTI on marketable equity securities is recognized immediately through earnings. Should actual factors and conditions differ materially from those expected by management, the actual realization of gains or losses on investment securities could differ materially from the amounts recorded in the financial statements.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. The Company uses fair value measurements to record fair value adjustments to certain financial instruments and to determine fair value disclosures. Trading assets, securities available for sale, and derivative instruments are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Additionally, from time to time, the Company may be required to record at fair value other assets on a nonrecurring basis, or to establish a loss allowance or write-down based on the fair value of impaired assets. Further, the notes to financial statements include information about the extent to which fair value is used to measure assets and liabilities, the valuation methodologies used and its impact to earnings. For financial instruments not recorded at fair value, the notes to financial statements disclose the estimate of their fair value. Due to the judgments and uncertainties involved in the estimation process, the estimates could result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There were no material changes to the way that the Company measures market risk in the first nine months of 2016. For further discussion about the Company’s Quantitative and Qualitative Aspects of Market Risk, please review Item 7A of the Report 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015. Berkshire’s objective is to maintain a neutral or asset sensitive interest rate risk profile, as measured by the sensitivity of net interest income to market interest rate changes. The Company measures this sensitivity primarily by evaluating the impact of ramped and shocked interest rate changes on net interest income in the one year, two year, and three year time horizons, including parallel shifts and yield curve twists and the market’s forward yield curve at the measurement date. The Company also evaluates its equity at risk from interest rate changes through discounted cash flow analysis. This measure assesses the present value changes to equity based on long term impacts of rate changes beyond the time horizons evaluated for net interest income at risk. Due to its growth and changes in the market risk environment, the Company has undertaken initiatives to review its processes of modeling loan and deposit behaviors. The Company has also contracted to upgrade and enhance its interest rate risk modeling systems and is working with third party vendors to expand the inputs and outputs of its modeling processes. As a result, the Company anticipates that there may be changes to its market risk measurement process by year-end 2016. The Company views its current processes as adequate for measuring and monitoring market risk and is undertaking these processes as part of its infrastructure development to support further growth and diversification. Any material impacts to its assessment of its market risk and any significant changes in methodology will be evaluated to ascertain their impact on modeling results and conclusions.

As of September 30, 2016, the Company remained modestly asset sensitive in most interest rate parallel shift scenarios. Increases in interest rates which result from a parallel shift in the yield curve generally result in higher interest income in most future periods compared to the base scenario of unchanged interest rates. Interest income increases approximately 3% in the second year in a 200 basis point upward parallel ramped shift compared to this base scenario. This reflects the repricing of assets in an upward rate environment, together with the benefit of the fixed payment swaps. Interest income increases by approximately 2% in the first year of a 100 basis point upward ramped shift. In most scenarios, the increase in interest income gets larger in year two and then larger again in year three. The Company became more asset sensitive in the third quarter. This included the benefit of growth in demand deposits, lower overnight borrowings, and reductions in mortgage and investment balances.

If interest rates remain unchanged, the Company’s net interest income could be negatively impacted compared to the current run rate due to the ongoing effects of asset yield compression which have pressured industry margins in recent years. The forward interest rate curve at period-end anticipates a future flattening of the yield curve. The Company also evaluates its projections under the scenario of the forward interest rate curve. The Company was asset sensitive at September 30, 2016 based on the forward curve at that date, but with less benefit compared to the above parallel shift scenarios.

Through its pricing disciplines and mix of business, Berkshire’s goal is to manage its balance sheet to support the net interest margin in the “lower for longer” market expectation that developed around midyear 2016. The Company anticipates that the margin will modestly decrease in 2017 from the impact of yield compression on changes related to business activities excluding any merger impacts from the First Choice acquisition. First Choice Bank operates with a lower net interest margin and is viewed by Berkshire as having a liability sensitive interest rate profile. Berkshire evaluated these impacts with its merger analytics and the projections of attractive returns on this investment include the longer term expected operations of this business combination.

In addition to modeling market risk in relation to net interest income, the Company also models net income at risk in various interest rate scenarios. Various sources of fee income, including interest rate swap income and mortgage banking revenue, are sensitive to interest rates. Other components of revenue and expense are also considered and net income estimates include the impact of income taxes on modeled changes. Management considers the risks to net income in evaluating its overall asset liability management and strategies. As part of the modeling initiatives that management is currently undertaking, the Company will also be enhancing its modeling of net income at risk as well as integrating with its capital stress testing initiatives. Additionally, these initiatives will include the modeling impacts of First Choice Bank and its relatively higher proportion of non-interest income at risk based on its mortgage banking operations.

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The Company also estimates the sensitivity of the economic value of its equity to interest rate shocks. The Company seeks to avoid having excess long term earnings at risk when interest rates rise in the long term future, as anticipated. At September 30, 2016, the Company estimated that the economic value of equity would decrease by approximately 8% in the event of a 200 basis point upward interest rate shock, which was within the Company’s policy limits. This compares to 11% at the start of the year; the decrease includes the benefit of third quarter activity that increased the asset sensitivity of net interest income. This estimate is subject to numerous assumptions and uncertainties and is not intended as a projection of future operating results.

In a prolonged low rate environment, Berkshire has a number of business strategies to support its net interest income and margin objectives. These include changes in volumes and mix of interest bearing assets and liabilities, some of which are discussed above. The Company also evaluates its pricing strategies on an ongoing basis, and considers its investment, borrowings, and derivatives strategies in managing its income and risk profile. Due to the limitations and uncertainties relating to model assumptions, the modeled computations should not be relied on as projections of income. Further, the computations do not reflect any actions that management may undertake in response to changes in interest rates.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

a) Disclosure controls and procedures.

The principal executive officers, including the principal financial officer, based on their evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

As of September 30, 2016, neither the Company nor the Bank was involved in any pending legal proceedings believed by management to be material to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. Periodically, there have been various claims and lawsuits involving the Bank, such as claims to enforce liens, condemnation proceedings on properties in which the Bank holds security interests, claims involving the making and servicing of real property loans, and other issues incident to the Bank’s business. However, other than the items noted below, neither the Company nor the Bank is a party to any pending legal proceedings that it believes, in the aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the Company.

On April 28, 2016, Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank were served with a complaint filed in the United States District Court, District of Massachusetts, Springfield Division. The complaint was filed by an individual Berkshire Bank depositor, who claims to have filed the complaint on behalf of a purported class of Berkshire Bank depositors, and alleges violations of the Electronic Funds Transfer Act and certain regulations thereunder, among other matters. On July 15, 2016, the complaint was amended to add purported claims under the Massachusetts Consumer Protection Act. The complaint seeks, in part, compensatory, consequential, statutory, and punitive damages. Berkshire Hills and Berkshire Bank deny the allegations contained in the complaint and are vigorously defending this lawsuit.

On November 3, 2016, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court issued a slip opinion containing an appellate ruling in favor of the Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund (the “Fund”) in a civil case entitled, Massachusetts Insurers Insolvency Fund v. Berkshire Bank, Appeal no. SJC-12019. At issue in this case is the Fund’s right to recover from Berkshire Bank under M.G.L Ch. 175D, § 17 (3), workers compensation benefits paid by the Fund to a former employee after the workers compensation insurer previously responsible for paying those benefits failed. In earlier proceedings in the Massachusetts Superior Court, the trial judge had entered summary judgment in Berkshire Bank’s favor, finding that Berkshire Bank had no liability to the Fund in this instance. The Supreme Judicial Court reversed and remanded the case to the trial court for entry of judgment in favor of the Fund on the issue of liability. The case was originally bifurcated in the trial court to resolve the issue of liability first, and no evidence has been presented to date regarding the amount of any damages that Berkshire Bank may owe to the Fund. Further proceedings will now be required in the trial court to determine the amount of any such damages.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed below and in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in this form are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

There is no assurance when or even if the merger of First Choice Bank with and into Berkshire Bank will be completed.

Completion of the merger of First Choice Bank with and into Berkshire Bank is subject to satisfaction or waiver of a number of conditions set forth in the merger agreement. There can be no assurance that the Company, Berkshire Bank, and First Choice Bank will be able to satisfy the closing conditions or that closing conditions beyond their control will be satisfied or waived.

The Company, Berkshire Bank, and First Choice Bank can agree at any time to terminate the merger agreement, even if First Choice Bank stockholders have already voted to approve the merger agreement. The Company and First Choice Bank can also terminate the merger agreement under other specified circumstances.

Regulatory approvals may not be received, may take longer than expected or impose conditions that are not presently anticipated.

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Before the merger may be completed, certain approvals or consents must be obtained from the various bank regulatory and other authorities in the United States, the State of New Jersey, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There can be no assurance as to whether the federal or state regulatory approval will be received or the timing of the approvals. The Company is not obligated to complete the merger if the regulatory approvals received in connection with the completion of the merger include any conditions or restrictions that would constitute a "material adverse effect" as defined in the merger agreement. While the Company does not currently expect that any such conditions or restrictions would be imposed, there can be no assurance that they will not be, and such conditions or restrictions could have the effect of delaying or preventing completion of the merger.

Goodwill incurred in the merger may negatively affect the Company's financial condition.

To the extent that the merger consideration, consisting of the number of shares of the Company common stock issued or to be issued in the merger, exceeds the fair value of the net assets, including identifiable intangibles of First Choice Bank, that amount will be reported as goodwill by the Company. In accordance with current accounting guidance, goodwill will not be amortized but will be evaluated for impairment at least annually. A failure to realize expected benefits of the merger could adversely impact the carrying value of the goodwill recognized in the merger, and in turn negatively affect the Company's financial condition.

Berkshire Bank may be unable to successfully integrate First Choice Bank’s operations or otherwise realize the expected benefits from the merger, which would adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

The merger involves the integration of two companies that have previously operated independently. The difficulties of combining the operations of the two companies include:

• Integrating personnel with diverse business backgrounds;

• Combining different corporate cultures; and

• Retaining key employees.

The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of the business and the loss of key personnel. The integration of the two companies will require the experience and expertise of certain key employees of First Choice Bank and its subsidiary, First Choice Loan Services, who are expected to be retained by Berkshire Bank. Berkshire Bank may not be successful in retaining these employees for the time period necessary to successfully integrate First Choice Bank’s and First Choice Loan Services’ operations with those of Berkshire Bank. The diversion of management's attention and any delay or difficulty encountered in connection with the merger and the integration of the two companies' operations could have an adverse effect on the business and results of operation of the Company following the merger.

The success of the merger will depend, in part, on the Company's ability to realize the anticipated benefits and cost savings from combining the business of First Choice Bank with and into Berkshire Bank. If Berkshire Bank is unable to successfully integrate First Choice Bank and successfully manage First Choice Loan Services as a wholly owned subsidiary, the anticipated benefits and cost savings of the merger may not be realized fully or may take longer to realize than expected. For example, the Company may fail to realize the anticipated increase in earning and cost savings anticipated to be derived from the acquisition. In addition, as with regard to any merger, a significant decline in asset valuations or cash flows may also cause the Company not to realize expected benefits.

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

(a) Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

The Company occasionally engages in the practice of transferring unregistered securities for the purpose of completing business transactions. These shares are issued to vendors or other organizations as consideration for services performed in accordance with each contract. During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015, the Company transferred 50,120 shares and 4,269 shares, respectively.

(b) Not applicable.

(c) The following table provides certain information with regard to shares repurchased by the Company in the third quarter of 2016:



	Total number of	Average price		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced	Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under
Period	shares purchased	paid per share		plans or programs	the plans or programs
July 1-31, 2016	—	$	—	—	500,000
August 1-31, 2016	—	—		—	500,000
September 1-30, 2016	—	—		—	500,000
Total	—	$	—	—	500,000

On December 2, 2015, the Company announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to 500 thousand shares of the Company's common stock, representing approximately 1.6% of the Company’s then outstanding shares. The timing of the purchases will depend on certain factors, including but not limited to, market conditions and prices, available funds, and alternative uses of capital. The stock repurchase program may be carried out through open-market purchases, block trades, negotiated private transactions or pursuant to a trading plan adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Any repurchased shares will be recorded as treasury shares. The repurchase plan will continue until it is completed or terminated by the Board of Directors. As of September 30, 2016, no shares had been purchased under this program.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS



2.1		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of November 3, 2014, by and between Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Hampden Bancorp, Inc. (1)
2.2		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 21, 2015, by and among Firestone Financial Corp., Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Berkshire Bank, Jacob Acquisition LLC, and David S. Cohen, solely in his capacity as the representative of the Firestone security holders (2)
2.3		Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of June 24, 2016, by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Berkshire Bank, and First Choice Bank (3)
3.1		Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (4)
3.2		Amended and Restated Bylaws of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (5)
4.1		Form of Common Stock Certificate of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (4)
10.1		Three-Year Executive Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., and James M. Moses (6)
11.0		Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings is incorporated herein by reference to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
31.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1		Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2		Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101		Shareholder Interactive data files pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Condition, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text and in detail.

_______________________________________


(1)	Incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K filed on November 4, 2014.


(2)	Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on May 22, 2015.


(3)	Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on June 27, 2016.


(4)	Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to Form S-1, Registration Statement and amendments thereto, initially filed on March 10, 2000, Registration No. 333-32146.


(5)	Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on April 28, 2015.


(6)	Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on September 23, 2016.

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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 thereunto duly authorized.



	BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.


Dated: November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ Michael P. Daly
	Michael P. Daly
	Chief Executive Officer


Dated: November 9, 2016	By:	/s/ James M. Moses
	James M. Moses
	Senior Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer