Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Pittsfield, Massachusetts - permission to acquire The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Connecticut

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 The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, Hartford, Connecticut, in a multi-step transaction. The Petitioner is the holding company for Berkshire Bank, Pittsfield, Massachusetts. A related application has been filed with the Division of Banks (Division) for approval of a subsequent merger of The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company with and into Berkshire Bank. As a result of the merger, the banking offices of The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company will become branch offices of Berkshire Bank.

In determining whether or not to approve the petition the Board 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 Thursday, March 29, 2012 at 10:00 a.m., in Hearing Room 1E, First Floor, 1000 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts.

All comments in favor or in protest of this petition, however, must be filed with the Board or the Division by the close of business on April 6, 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