Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Pittsfield, Massachusetts - permission to acquire Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc., East Syracuse, New York

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (Petitioner), Pittsfield, Massachusetts, has petitioned the Board of Bank Incorporation (Board) pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, chapter 167A, sections 2 and 4 for approval to acquire BEACON FEDERAL BANCORP, INC. (Beacon Bancorp), East Syracuse, New York in a multi-step transaction. Beacon Bancorp is the holding company for Beacon Federal(Beacon Federal), East Syracuse, New York. The Petitioner is the holding company for Berkshire Bank (Berkshire Bank), Pittsfield, Massachusetts. An application has also been filed with the Division of Banks for approval of the subsequent merger of Beacon Federal with and into Berkshire Bank.

In determining whether or not to approve the petition the Board and Division must decide whether competition among banking institutions will be unreasonably affected and whether public convenience and advantage will be promoted by this proposal. A public hearing will be given to all interested parties on the petition before the Board on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 11:45 a.m., in Hearing Room 1E, First Floor, 1000 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

All comments concerning this petition, however, must be filed with the Board or the Division by the close of business on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 at the following address. The applications and all communications relative to these matters are available for public inspection at the Division at 1000 Washington Street, 10th Floor, Boston, MA 02118-6400.

Board of Bank
Incorporation

David J. Cotney
______________________
Commissioner of Banks


Amy Pitter
______________________
Commissioner of Revenue


Steven Grossman
______________________
Treasurer and Receiver-General