Current Report Filing (8-k)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF

THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 15, 2021

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware		001-15781		04-3510455
(State or Other Jurisdiction) of Incorporation)		(Commission File No.)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

60 State Street, Boston, Massachusetts		02109
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (800) 773-5601, ext. 133773

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐	Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐	Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐	Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class	Trading symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share	BHLB	New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ◻

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On September 15, 2021, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company”), the holding company for Berkshire Bank, issued a news release announcing its “BEST Community Comeback” program. Berkshire’s BEST Community Comeback plan is intended to be a significant step in setting goals for the Company’s Environmental, Social, and Governance (“ESG”) program. The program includes a target for $5 billion in lending and investments over the next three years across a range of small business, mortgage, and other programs to support communities and promote access to financial services. It also includes specific targets for the Company’s climate-related initiatives. The Company is providing a website link to be updated over time to show progress against the stated goals.

In May 2021, Berkshire announced its BEST (Berkshire’s Exciting Strategic Transformation) plan to improve the customer experience, deliver profitable growth, enhance stakeholder value and further strengthen its community impact. The BEST Community Comeback integrates with the Company’s overall transformation plan, with a goal to effect real and positive change in communities.

The full text of the news release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to the Form 8-K and is incorporated by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(a)	Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable.

(b)	Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable.

(c)	Shell Company Transactions. Not applicable.

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit No. Description

99.1

News Release dated September 15, 2021

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

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, hereunto duly authorized.