Berkshire Bank

Corporate brand

A former Massachusetts-based regional bank serving retail, commercial, and wealth-management customers across New England and New York.

Last updated August 22, 2026

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Overview

Berkshire Bank was a regional commercial bank based in Boston, Massachusetts, and the principal banking brand of Berkshire Hills Bancorp. Its roots extended to February 6, 1846, when Berkshire County Savings Bank was established. The institution developed through a long sequence of mergers and acquisitions, expanding from its original Berkshire County base into a multistate branch network spanning Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, and neighboring parts of New England. The bank adopted the Berkshire Bank name in 1998 after acquiring Great Barrington Savings Bank. Under Berkshire Hills Bancorp, it pursued a consolidation strategy that brought a number of community and regional institutions into the organization. Transactions involving Woronoco Savings Bank, Factory Point National Bank, Rome Savings Bank, Legacy Banks, Connecticut Bank & Trust Company, Beacon Federal Bank, Hampden Bank, First Choice Bank, Commerce Bank & Trust Company, and SI Financial Group enlarged its deposit base, customer relationships, and geographic reach. These combinations also gave the bank a more significant presence in commercial lending, small-business banking, consumer finance, wealth management, and community banking. Berkshire Bank presented itself as a relationship-oriented regional institution rather than a national banking giant. Its activities included deposit accounts, consumer and residential lending, commercial and industrial loans, commercial real-estate finance, treasury and cash-management services, investment and wealth-management offerings, and banking services for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. Its branch network and local-market relationships were central to its identity, while its parent company provided the capital, governance, and public-market structure of a listed bank holding company. The organization experienced several leadership changes in the late 2010s and early 2020s. Richard Marotta became chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hills Bancorp in 2018, later resigning as CEO in 2020. Sean Gray served as acting CEO and continued as president and chief operating officer before Nitin J. Mhatre became chief executive in January 2021. These changes occurred during a period in which the group was integrating acquisitions and adapting to broader changes in banking, including digital adoption and the operational effects of the COVID-19 era. Berkshire Bank ceased to operate as an independent brand following the September 1, 2025 merger of Berkshire Hills Bancorp with Brookline Bancorp. The transaction created Beacon Financial Corporation, whose listed shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol BBT. The constituent banking businesses, including Berkshire Bank, were expected to be brought together under the Beacon Bank name, with customer-service systems scheduled for combination in early 2026. Accordingly, Berkshire Bank is best treated as a historical or transitioning bank brand rather than an independently active institution after the merger.

History

Berkshire Bank originated as Berkshire County Savings Bank, founded on February 6, 1846. Its early identity was tied to Berkshire County in western Massachusetts, where it operated as a community savings institution. Over time, the bank broadened its activities beyond traditional savings products and developed into a full-service regional banking organization. A major identity change occurred in 1998, when the institution acquired Great Barrington Savings Bank and adopted the Berkshire Bank name. The rebranding connected the expanding institution to its historical Berkshire County roots while providing a common identity for a larger banking platform. In 2005, Berkshire Bank acquired Woronoco Savings Bank, followed in 2007 by the acquisition of Factory Point National Bank. These transactions expanded its Massachusetts presence and added customers, deposits, lending relationships, and branch locations. The bank accelerated its consolidation strategy in 2011 by acquiring Rome Savings Bank and Legacy Banks. In 2012, it added Connecticut Bank & Trust Company and Beacon Federal Bank, extending the franchise into Connecticut and strengthening its position as a regional rather than purely local institution. Hampden Bank joined the organization in 2015, and First Choice Bank was acquired in 2016. In 2017, Berkshire Bank acquired Commerce Bank & Trust Company and announced a lease for new headquarters at 60 State Street in Boston's Government Center. The Boston headquarters represented the institution's broader geographic reach and its position within the Massachusetts banking market. Berkshire Bank operated as the banking subsidiary of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, a publicly traded bank holding company. Its business mix included consumer deposits and lending, residential mortgages, commercial and industrial credit, commercial real-estate finance, small-business banking, treasury services, and wealth management. The institution combined local-market branch relationships with the broader systems and capital resources of a regional holding company. Its geographic footprint covered New England and parts of New York. The organization also continued to grow through acquisitions. Berkshire Hills Bancorp acquired SI Financial Group in 2019, adding another banking organization to the group and requiring integration of operations, customers, and employees. Leadership changed during the same period. Michael Daly left the chairman and CEO roles in 2018, and Richard Marotta took over those positions. Marotta resigned as CEO in August 2020, with chairman Sean Gray serving as acting CEO. In January 2021, the board announced Nitin J. Mhatre as CEO, effective January 29, while Gray continued as president and chief operating officer. The final stage of Berkshire Bank's independent history came through industry consolidation. On September 1, 2025, Berkshire Hills Bancorp merged with Brookline Bancorp, the parent of Brookline Bank, Bank Rhode Island, and PCSB Bank. The resulting holding company was named Beacon Financial Corporation and traded on the NYSE under BBT. The banking subsidiaries were expected to transition to the Beacon Bank brand, with customer-service systems planned for integration in early 2026. This transaction ended Berkshire Bank's role as a standalone banking brand, although its branches, accounts, employees, and customer relationships became part of the successor organization.

2025
Merger creates Beacon Financial Corporation
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Berkshire Hills Bancorp merged with Brookline Bancorp on September 1, 2025, creating Beacon Financial Corporation and initiating the transition from Berkshire Bank to Beacon Bank.
2021
Nitin J. Mhatre becomes CEO
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Nitin J. Mhatre was appointed CEO effective January 29, 2021.
2020
Sean Gray assumes acting CEO role
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Following Richard Marotta's resignation as CEO, chairman Sean Gray became acting CEO.
2019
SI Financial Group acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Berkshire Hills Bancorp acquired SI Financial Group, further enlarging the organization associated with Berkshire Bank.
2018
Richard Marotta becomes chairman and CEO
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Richard Marotta succeeded Michael Daly as chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hills Bancorp.
2017
Commerce Bank & Trust Company acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Berkshire Bank acquired Commerce Bank & Trust Company and announced a new Boston headquarters lease.
2016
First Choice Bank acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
The acquisition of First Choice Bank added to Berkshire Bank's regional banking platform.
2015
Hampden Bank acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Berkshire Bank acquired Hampden Bank and continued consolidating its Massachusetts banking presence.
2012
Connecticut Bank & Trust Company and Beacon Federal Bank acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
The acquisitions expanded Berkshire Bank's footprint into additional New England markets.
2011
Rome Savings Bank and Legacy Banks acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Berkshire Bank acquired Rome Savings Bank and Legacy Banks, increasing its scale and market reach.
2007
Factory Point National Bank acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
The bank acquired Factory Point National Bank as part of its regional expansion.
2005
Woronoco Savings Bank acquired
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Berkshire Bank expanded through the acquisition of Woronoco Savings Bank.
1998
Berkshire Bank name adopted
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
After acquiring Great Barrington Savings Bank, the institution changed its name to Berkshire Bank.
1846
Berkshire County Savings Bank is founded
[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
The institution that later became Berkshire Bank was established on February 6, 1846, as Berkshire County Savings Bank.

Products and positioning

A relationship-oriented regional bank serving individuals, businesses, and community organizations through local branches, commercial-banking capabilities, and wealth-management services.

Consumer banking
Retail banking
Berkshire Bank's retail-banking activities served individual customers through deposit accounts, everyday transaction services, consumer credit, residential lending, and branch-based and digital banking relationships. Retail banking formed the consumer-facing base of the institution and complemented its commercial and wealth-management businesses.
Business banking
Commercial banking
The commercial-banking business served companies, professionals, nonprofit organizations, and other institutions with business deposits, commercial and industrial loans, commercial real-estate finance, treasury services, and cash-management support. Local relationship banking was a central part of the bank's regional positioning.
Financial services
Wealth management
Wealth-management services extended the bank's relationship with affluent individuals, families, and institutions beyond deposit and lending products. The offering formed part of the broader Berkshire Hills Bancorp platform and supported the bank's full-service regional model.
Consumer lending
Residential lending
Residential lending included mortgage-related financing for household customers and formed part of Berkshire Bank's consumer and community-banking activities. The product area complemented the institution's commercial real-estate and business-lending operations.

Brand decisions

2025
Merged with Brookline BancorpM&A
Background
Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Brookline Bancorp pursued a combination of their banking organizations.
Action taken
The merger closed on September 1, 2025, creating Beacon Financial Corporation, traded under the symbol BBT.
Aftermath
The constituent banks were expected to transition to the Beacon Bank brand, with customer-service systems scheduled to be combined in early 2026. Berkshire Bank therefore ceased to be an independent active brand.
Source
2017
Established a larger Boston headquarters presenceStrategy
Background
After a series of acquisitions, Berkshire Bank had developed a regional footprint extending beyond its original western Massachusetts market.
Action taken
The company signed a lease for headquarters space at 60 State Street in Boston's Government Center.
Aftermath
The move reflected the bank's expanded regional profile and its connection to the Boston financial market.
Source
1998
Adopted the Berkshire Bank name after Great Barrington Savings Bank acquisitionM&A
Background
The institution was expanding beyond its earlier Berkshire County savings-bank identity through the acquisition of Great Barrington Savings Bank.
Action taken
It changed its corporate banking name to Berkshire Bank.
Aftermath
The new name became the principal brand used as the organization expanded through subsequent acquisitions.
Source

Recent events

2025
Berkshire Hills Bancorp announces merger with Brookline Bancorp[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
M&A · Leadership change · Other
The holding company parent of Berkshire Bank merged with Brookline Bancorp, creating Beacon Financial Corporation and beginning the transition of the constituent banking brands toward Beacon Bank.
2021
Nitin J. Mhatre appointed chief executive officer[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Berkshire Hills Bancorp announced that Nitin J. Mhatre would become CEO effective January 29, 2021, while Sean Gray would continue as president and chief operating officer.
2020
Richard Marotta resigns as chief executive officer[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Leadership change
Richard Marotta resigned as CEO of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, after which Sean Gray assumed the acting CEO role.
2017
Berkshire Bank headquarters lease announced for Boston's Government Center[1]Berkshire Banken.wikipedia.org
Other
Berkshire Bank signed a lease for a new headquarters at 60 State Street in Boston's Government Center during its expansion under Berkshire Hills Bancorp.

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