Unassociated Document

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: September 30, 2011
 
¨
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: 000-51584
 
 
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) 443-5601
 
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 x     No ¨
 
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 x  No ¨
 
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 ¨ Accelerated Filer x Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ Smaller Reporting Company ¨
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)
 
Yes ¨  No x
 
The Registrant had 21,144,011 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding as of November 6, 2011.

 
 

 

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, 2011 and December 31, 2010
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
4
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
5
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 and 2010
6
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
47
     
 
Selected Financial Data
51
     
 
Average Balances and Average Yields/Rates
52
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
62
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
62
     
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
63
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
64
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
64
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
65
     
Item 4.
Removed and Reserved
65
     
Item 5.
Other Information
65
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
65
     
Signatures
 
67

 
2

 

PART I
ITEM 1.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 

 
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except share data)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Assets
           
Cash and due from banks
  $ 40,070     $ 24,643  
Short-term investments
    94,428       19,497  
Total cash and cash equivalents
    134,498       44,140  
                 
Trading security
    17,501       16,155  
Securities available for sale, at fair value
    395,546       310,242  
Securities held to maturity (fair values of $60,224 and $57,594)
    58,262       56,436  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other restricted securities
    37,148       23,120  
Total securities
    508,457       405,953  
                 
Loans held for sale
    475       1,043  
                 
Residential mortgages
    1,045,363       644,973  
Commercial mortgages
    1,158,140       925,573  
Commercial business loans
    382,159       286,087  
Consumer loans
    368,898       285,529  
Total loans
    2,954,560       2,142,162  
Less:  Allowance for loan losses
    (32,181 )     (31,898 )
Net loans
    2,922,379       2,110,264  
                 
Premises and equipment, net
    58,652       38,546  
Other real estate owned
    2,200       3,386  
Goodwill
    202,100       161,725  
Other intangible assets
    22,288       11,354  
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies
    74,381       46,085  
Other assets
    98,737       58,907  
Assets from discontinued operations
    63,033       -  
Total assets
  $ 4,087,200     $ 2,881,403  
                 
Liabilities
               
Demand deposits
  $ 434,719     $ 297,502  
NOW deposits
    269,668       212,143  
Money market deposits
    896,004       716,078  
Savings deposits
    450,976       237,594  
Time deposits
    986,979       741,124  
Total deposits
    3,038,346       2,204,441  
Short-term debt
    -       47,030  
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    221,996       197,807  
Junior subordinated debentures
    15,464       15,464  
Total borrowings
    237,460       260,301  
Other liabilities
    54,382       28,014  
Liabilities from discontinued operations
    210,319       -  
Total liabilities
    3,540,507       2,492,756  
                 
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock ($.01 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 22,860,368 shares issued and 21,133,868 shares outstanding in 2011; 26,000,000 shares authorized; 15,848,825 shares issued and 14,076,148 shares outstanding in 2010)
    229       158  
Additional paid-in capital
    494,096       337,537  
Unearned compensation
    (3,047 )     (1,776 )
Retained earnings
    104,287       103,972  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (5,540 )     (6,410 )
Treasury stock, at cost (1,726,500 shares in 2011 and 1,772,677 shares in 2010)
    (43,332 )     (44,834 )
Total stockholders' equity
    546,693       388,647  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 4,087,200     $ 2,881,403  

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

 
3

 

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Interest and dividend income
                       
Loans
  $ 35,719     $ 24,917     $ 88,932     $ 73,354  
Securities and other
    3,547       3,546       10,300       10,554  
Total interest and dividend income
    39,266       28,463       99,232       83,908  
Interest expense
                               
Deposits
    6,097       6,512       17,580       20,195  
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
    2,131       2,267       6,267       6,861  
Total interest expense
    8,228       8,779       23,847       27,056  
Net interest income
    31,038       19,684       75,385       56,852  
Non-interest income
                               
Loan related fees
    934       549       2,305       2,261  
Deposit related fees
    3,885       2,730       9,792       8,009  
Insurance commissions and fees
    2,431       2,316       8,943       8,986  
Wealth management fees
    1,607       1,090       4,188       3,406  
Total fee income
    8,857       6,685       25,228       22,662  
Other
    (158 )     (122 )     (355 )     (342 )
Gain on sale of securities, net
    -       -       6       -  
Non-recurring income
    1,975       -       2,099       -  
Total non-interest income
    10,674       6,563       26,978       22,320  
Total net revenue
    41,712       26,247       102,363       79,172  
Provision for loan losses
    2,200       2,000       5,300       6,526  
Non-interest expense
                               
Compensation and benefits
    13,195       10,870       36,373       32,827  
Occupancy and equipment
    3,883       2,988       10,864       8,986  
Technology and communications
    1,996       1,458       4,993       4,214  
Marketing and professional services
    1,873       1,253       4,643       3,666  
Supplies, postage and delivery
    545       520       1,506       1,635  
FDIC premiums and assessments
    923       893       2,691       2,540  
Other real estate owned
    541       100       1,850       127  
Amortization of intangible assets
    1,271       768       2,922       2,304  
Non-recurring expenses
    9,091       -       16,250       21  
Other
    1,392       1,244       4,430       3,994  
Total non-interest expense
    34,710       20,094       86,522       60,314  
                                 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes
    4,802       4,153       10,541       12,332  
Income tax expense
    405       699       1,432       2,104  
Net income from continuing operations
    4,397       3,454       9,109       10,228  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
    (5 )     -       (5 )     -  
Net income
  $ 4,392     $ 3,454     $ 9,104     $ 10,228  
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.22     $ 0.25     $ 0.54     $ 0.74  
Discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    20,009       13,865       16,863       13,852  
Diluted
    20,105       13,893       16,915       13,883  

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

 
4

 

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
                                  
Accumulated
             
               
Additional
   
Unearned
         
other comp-
             
   
Common stock
   
paid-in
   
compen-
   
Retained
   
rehensive
   
Treasury
       
(In thousands)
 
Shares
   
Amount
   
capital
   
sation
   
earnings
   
loss
   
stock
   
Total
 
                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2009
    13,916     $ 158     $ 338,822     $ (1,318 )   $ 99,597     $ (2,968 )   $ (49,146 )   $ 385,145  
                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
    -       -       -       -       10,228       -       -       10,228  
Other net comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       -       -       (6,236 )     -       (6,236 )
Total comprehensive income
                                                            3,992  
Cash dividends declared ($0.48 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (6,741 )     -       -       (6,741 )
Forfeited shares
    (13 )     -       4       254       -       -       (258 )     -  
Exercise of stock options
    24       -       -       -       (206 )     -       609       403  
Restricted stock grants
    132       -       (1,160 )     (2,201 )     -       -       3,361       -  
Stock-based compensation
    -       -       4       1,151       -       -       -       1,155  
Other, net
    (23 )     -       -       -       16       -       (431 )     (415 )
                                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2010
    14,036     $ 158     $ 337,670     $ (2,114 )   $ 102,894     $ (9,204 )   $ (45,865 )   $ 383,539  
                                                                 
Balance at December 31, 2010
    14,076     $ 158     $ 337,537     $ (1,776 )   $ 103,972     $ (6,410 )   $ (44,834 )   $ 388,647  
                                                                 
Comprehensive income:
                                                               
Net income
    -       -       -       -       9,104       -       -       9,104  
Other net comprehensive income
    -       -       -       -       -       870       -       870  
Total comprehensive income
                                                            9,974  
Acquisition of Legacy Bancorp, Inc.
    4,351       44       101,639       -       -       -       -       101,683  
Acquisition of Rome Bancorp, Inc.
    2,661       27       55,463       -       -       -       -       55,490  
Rome ESOP loan repayment
    (44 )     -       -       -       -       -       (943 )     (943 )
Cash dividends declared ($0.48 per share)
    -       -       -       -       (8,313 )     -       -       (8,313 )
Forfeited shares
    (23 )     -       40       463       -       -       (503 )     -  
Exercise of stock options
    13       -       -       -       (112 )     -       326       214  
Restricted stock grants
    125       -       (404 )     (2,730 )     -       -       3,134       -  
Stock-based compensation
    -       -    
2
   
996
      -       -       -       998  
Net tax benefit related to stock-based compensation
 
-
      -       68       -       -       -               68  
Other, net
    (25 )     -       (249 )     -       (364 )     -       (512 )     (1,125 )
                                                                 
Balance at September 30, 2011
    21,134     $ 229     $ 494,096     $ (3,047 )   $ 104,287     $ (5,540 )   $ (43,332 )   $ 546,693  

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

 
5

 

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 9,104     $ 10,228  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for loan losses
    5,300       6,526  
Net amortization of securities
    893       1,942  
Change in unamortized net loan costs and premiums
    519       872  
Premises depreciation and amortization expense
    3,498       2,832  
Stock-based compensation expense
    998       1,155  
Write down of other real estate owned
    1,700       -  
Amortization of other intangibles
    2,922       2,304  
Income from cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies
    (1,492 )     (884 )
Loss on sales of securities, net
    (2,229 )     -  
Net decrease in loans held for sale
    568       701  
Loss on sale of real estate
    94       -  
Net change in other
    10,269       (1,177 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    32,144       24,499  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Trading security:
               
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments
    (1,346 )     327  
Securities available for sale:
               
Sales
    12,521       3,159  
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments
    92,258       88,626  
Purchases
    (152,633 )     (82,653 )
Securities held to maturity:
               
Proceeds from maturities, calls and prepayments
    7,618       15,967  
Purchases
    (9,444 )     (15,823 )
                 
Loan originations, net
    (42,890 )     (102,854 )
Acquisitions, net of cash paid
    179,458       -  
Proceeds from surrender of bank-owned life insurance
    -       2,217  
Purchase of bank-owned life insurance
    -       (2,599 )
Proceeds from sale of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    3,571       -  
Purchase of Federal Home Loan Bank stock
    (1,387 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of other real estate
    1,086       -  
Purchase of premises and equipment, net
    (4,542 )     (3,347 )
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities
    84,270       (96,980 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Net increase in deposits
    153,657       81,985  
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    115,480       212,505  
Repayments of Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other borrowings
    (286,190 )     (209,897 )
Net proceeds from reissuance of treasury stock
    214       403  
Excess tax loss from stock based payment arrangements
    68       -  
Common stock cash dividends paid
    (8,313 )     (6,741 )
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
    (25,084 )     78,255  
                 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
    91,330       5,774  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    44,140       32,608  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 135,470     $ 38,382  
                 
Supplemental cash flow information:
               
Interest paid on deposits
    17,807       20,626  
Interest paid on borrowed funds
    6,202       6,888  
Income taxes(refunded) paid, net
    138       (117 )
                 
Acquisition of non-cash assets and liabilities:
               
Assets acquired
    1,241       -  
Liabilities assumed
    (1,044 )     -  
Rome stock owned by the Company
    6,284       -  
Other non-cash changes:
               
Other net comprehensive loss
    870       -  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Note: The Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 include the
cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities associated with discontinued operations.

 
6

 

1. 
GENERAL

Basis of presentation and consolidation
 
The consolidated financial statements (the “financial statements”) of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the “Company” or “Berkshire”) have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, these financial statements, including year-end consolidated balance sheet data presented, do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation are reflected in the interim financial statements and consist of normal recurring entries. These financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Berkshire Insurance Group, Inc. (“BIG”) and Berkshire Bank (the “Bank”), together with the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries. One of the Bank’s consolidated subsidiaries is Berkshire Bank Municipal Bank, a New York chartered limited-purpose commercial bank. All significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results which may be expected for the year. Assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations are carried at the lower of cost or estimated market value in the aggregate and present in a separate line item on the consolidated balance sheets Revenue and expense related to discontinued operations are not reported, and net income related to these operations is presented in a separate line item on  the consolidated statements of income.  These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

Business
 
Through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, the Company provides a variety of financial services to individuals, businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and municipalities through its offices in western Massachusetts, southern Vermont and northeastern and central New York. The Company also provides asset-based middle-market commercial lending throughout New England and its New York markets.  Its primary deposit products are checking, NOW, money market, savings, and time deposit accounts.  Its primary lending products are residential mortgages, commercial mortgages, commercial business loans and consumer loans. The Company offers electronic banking, cash management, other transaction and reporting services and interest rate swap contracts to commercial customers. The Company offers wealth management services including trust, financial planning, and investment services. The Company is also an agent for complete lines of property and casualty, life, disability, and health insurance.
 
Business segments
 
An operating segment is a component of a business for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision-maker in deciding how to allocate resources and evaluate performance. The Company has two reportable operating segments, Banking and Insurance, which are delineated by the consolidated subsidiaries of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.  Banking includes the activities of the Bank and its subsidiaries, which provide commercial and consumer banking services.  Insurance includes the activities of BIG and its subsidiaries, which provides commercial and consumer insurance services.  The only other consolidated financial activity of the Company consists of the transactions of its parent, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

 
7

 

Use of estimates
 
In preparing the financial statements in conformity with GAAP, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the consolidated balance sheets and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near term relate to the determination of the allowance for loan losses; the valuation of deferred tax assets; the estimates related to the initial measurement of goodwill and intangible assets and subsequent impairment analyses; the determination of other-than-temporary impairment of securities; estimates for acquired impaired loans; and the determination of fair value of financial instruments and subsequent impairment analysis.
 
Significant accounting policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in the 2010 Form 10-K.  The following policies have since been refined or added and are described below:

Allowance for Loan Losses
 
The allowance for loan losses is established based upon the level of estimated probable losses in the current loan portfolio. Loan losses are charged against the allowance when management believes the collectability of a loan balance is doubtful. Subsequent recoveries, if any, are credited to the allowance.
 
The allowance for loan losses is allocated to loan types using both a formula-based approach applied to groups of loans and an analysis of certain individual loans for impairment. The formula-based approach emphasizes loss factors derived from actual historical and industry portfolio loss rates, which are combined with an assessment of certain qualitative factors to determine the allowance amounts allocated to the various loan categories. Allowance amounts are determined based on an estimate of historical average annual percentage rate of loan loss for each loan segment, a temporal estimate of the incurred loss emergence and confirmation period for each loan category, and certain qualitative risk factors considered in the computation of the allowance for loan losses.

Qualitative risk factors impacting the inherent risk of loss within the portfolio include the following:

 
National and local economic and business conditions

 
Level and trend of delinquencies

 
Level and trend of charge-offs and recoveries

 
Trends in volume and terms of loans

 
Risk selection, lending policy and underwriting standards

 
Experience and depth of management

 
Banking industry conditions and other external factors

 
Concentration risk

Actual historical loss rates for commercial mortgage and commercial business loans are assessed by internal risk rating. Historical loss rates for residential mortgages, home equity and other consumer loans are not risk graded but are assessed based on the total of each loan segment. This approach incorporates qualitative adjustments based upon management’s assessment of various market and portfolio specific risk factors into its formula-based estimate. Due to the imprecise nature of the loan loss estimation process and ever changing conditions, the qualitative risk attributes may not adequately capture amounts of incurred loss in the formula-based loan loss components used to determine allocations in the Company’s analysis of the adequacy of the allowance for loan losses.

 
8

 

The Company evaluates certain loans individually for specific impairment. A loan is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect the scheduled payments of principal or interest when due according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement. Factors considered by management in determining impairment include payment status, collateral value, and the probability of collecting scheduled principal and interest payments when due. Loans that experience insignificant payment delays and payment shortfalls generally are not classified as impaired. Loans are selected for evaluation based upon a change in internal risk rating, occurrence of delinquency, loan classification, or non-accrual status. A specific allowance amount is allocated to an individual loan when such loan has been deemed impaired and when the amount of the probable loss is able to be estimated. Estimates of loss may be determined by the present value of anticipated future cash flows or the loan’s observable fair market value, or the fair value of the collateral, if the loan is collateral dependent. However, for collateral dependent loans, the amount of the recorded investment in a loan that exceeds the fair value of the collateral is charged-off against the allowance for loan losses in lieu of an allocation of a specific allowance amount when such an amount has been identified definitively as uncollectible.

Large groups of small-balance homogeneous loans such as the residential mortgage, home equity and other consumer portfolios are collectively evaluated for impairment. As such, the Company does not typically identify individual loans within these groupings as impaired loans or for impairment evaluation and disclosure. The Company evaluates all TDRs for impairment on an individual loan basis regardless of loan type.

In the first quarter of 2011, management made refinements to its allowance for loan loss methodology to better incorporate the Company’s internal risk ratings into its formula-based approach. This refinement did not have a significant effect on the first and second quarter’s loan loss provision or the total allowance for loan loss.

Management chose to increase the loan loss provision in the third quarter in an effort to indirectly build a reserve for the Bank’s purchased loan portfolios into our allowance for loan loss.  A provision of $300 thousand was taken in the third quarter of 2011.  While each purchased portfolio of loans is thoroughly reviewed and, when applicable, adequately marked down to an observable market price the Bank’s management team is cognizant that further market fluctuations are a distinct possibility given the present state of the economy. 

Acquired Loans

Loans that we acquire in acquisitions subsequent to January 1, 2009 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.

For loans that meet the criteria stipulated in ASC 310-30, “Loans and Debt Securities Acquired with Deteriorated Credit Quality”, the Company shall recognize the accretable yield, which is defined as the excess of all cash flows expected at acquisition over the initial fair value of the loan, as interest income on a level-yield basis over the expected remaining life of the loan. This accretable yield shall not be recorded on the balance sheet. The excess of the loan’s contractually required payments over the cash flows expected to be collected is the nonaccretable difference.  The nonaccretable difference shall not be recognized as an adjustment of yield, a loss accrual, or a valuation allowance.  Going forward, the Company shall continue to evaluate whether the timing and the amount of cash to be collected are reasonably expected.  Subsequent significant increases in cash flows we expect to collect will first reduce previously recognized valuation allowance and then be reflected prospectively as an increase to the level yield.  Subsequent decreases in expected cash flows may result in the loan being considered impaired.  Interest income shall not be recognized to the extent that the net investment in the loan would increase to an amount greater than the payoff amount.

For loans that do not meet the ASC 310-30 criteria, the Company shall accrete interest income on a level yield basis using the contractually required cash flows.

 
9

 

The expected prepayments used to determine the accretable yield shall be consistent between the cash flows expected to be collected and projections of contractual cash flows so as to not affect the nonaccretable difference.  Differences in the actual and expected prepayments impact the accretable yield but not the nonaccretable difference.

Acquired loans that met the criteria for nonaccrual of interest prior to the acquisition are considered performing upon acquisition, regardless of whether the customer is contractually delinquent, if we can reasonably estimate the timing and amount of the expected cash flows on such loans and if we expect to fully collect the new carrying value of the loans. As such, we may no longer consider the loan to be nonaccrual or nonperforming and may accrue interest on these loans, including the impact of any accretable yield. We have determined that we can reasonably estimate future cash flows on our current portfolio of acquired loans that are past due 90 days or more and on which we are accruing interest and we expect to fully collect the carrying value of the loans.
 
Recent accounting pronouncements
 
FASB ASU No. 2010-20, “Receivables (Topic 310), Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses”. In July 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-20 which requires an entity to provide disclosures that facilitate financial statement users’ evaluation of (1) the nature of credit risk inherent in the entity’s loan portfolio (2) how that risk is analyzed and assessed in arriving at the allowance for loan and lease losses and (3) the changes and reasons for those changes in the allowance for loan and lease losses. For public entities, the disclosures as of the end of a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending on or after December 15, 2010. The disclosures about activity that occurs during a reporting period are effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2010. The adoption of this guidance resulted in significant additional loan disclosures included in Note 7.
 
FASB ASU No. 2010-29, “Business Combinations (Topic 805), Disclosure of Supplementary Pro Forma Information for Business Combinations”. In December 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-29 which clarifies the presentation of pro forma information required for business combinations when a public company presents comparative financial information. The amendments in this guidance are effective prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2010.  The adoption of this guidance required addition disclosures included in Note 3.
 
FASB ASU No. 2011-02,A Creditor’s Determination of Whether Restructuring Is a Troubled Debt Restructuring”.  In April 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-02 which clarifies when a loan modification or restructuring is considered a troubled debt restructuring.  The guidance is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after June 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively to modifications occurring on or after the beginning of the annual period of adoption.  The adoption of this guidance resulted in additional loan disclosures included in Note 7.
 
FASB ASU No. 2011-05, “Presentation of Comprehensive Income”.  In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05 which requires that all nonowner changes in stockholders’ equity be presented either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively.  The adoption of this guidance will require additional disclosures.

FASB ASU No. 2011-08, “Testing Goodwill for Impairment”.  In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-08 which will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under these amendments, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount.. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.
 
FASB ASU No. 2011-09,Disclosures about an Employer's Participation in a Multiemployer Plan”.  In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-09 which requires that employers provide additional separate disclosures for multiemployer pension plans and multiemployer other postretirement benefit plans. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted.  The adoption of this guidance will require additional disclosures.

 
10

 

2. 
CORRECTION OF IMMATERIAL  ERROR
 
During the second quarter of 2011, the Company corrected an immaterial error in its prior period accounting treatment for certain tax credit investment limited partnership interests.  These interests primarily relate to low income housing, community development, and solar energy related investments.  As a result of this error, the Company’s non-interest income and income tax expense were overstated in 2010 and in the first quarter of 2011.  On the corresponding balance sheets, the Company’s tax credit investment limited partnership interests were overstated in 2010 and in the first quarter of 2011.  The overstatement of the tax credit investment balance in each period was more than offset by an understatement of the Company’s deferred tax asset balance.  These balances are included as components of other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company assessed the materiality of this error for each previously issued quarterly and annual period that was effected in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and determined that the error was immaterial.  The Company determined that the cumulative error is immaterial to our estimated income for the full fiscal year ending December 31, 2011 but was material to our trend in earnings.   Accordingly, the Company has revised its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010 and the consolidated statement of operations for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2010.  The Company intends to revise its consolidated financial statements for certain quarterly and annual periods through subsequent periodic filings.  The effect of correcting this immaterial error in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2010, the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2010, and for the fiscal 2010 and 2011 quarterly periods to be reported in subsequent periodic filings is as follows:

   
For the Quarter Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
             
    
September 30, 2010
   
September 30, 2010
             
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
As Reported
   
As Revised
   
As Reported
   
As Revised
             
                                     
Consolidated statement of operations information:
                                   
Non-interest income
  $ 6,915     $ 6,563     $ 23,376     $ 22,320                  
Income tax expense
    1,081       699       3,220       2,074                  
Net income
    3,424       3,454       10,168       10,228                  
Basic earnings per share
    0.25       0.25       0.74       0.74                  
Diluted earnings per share
    0.25       0.25       0.74       0.74                  
                                                 
Consolidated balance sheet information:
                                               
Other assets
    68,408       69,065       68,408       69,065                  
Retained earnings
    102,270       102,927       102,270       102,927                  

   
For the Quarter Ended
   
For the Year Ended
   
For the Quarter Ended
 
    
December 31, 2010
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2011
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
As Reported
   
As Revised
   
As Reported
   
As Revised
   
As Reported
   
As Revised
 
                                     
Consolidated statement of operations information:
                                   
Non-interest income
  $ 7,783     $ 7,431     $ 31,159     $ 29,751     $ 8,502     $ 8,134  
Income tax expense
    893       511       4,113       2,585       1,061       656  
Net income
    3,570       3,600       13,378       13,858       2,798       2,835  
Basic earnings per share
    0.26       0.26       0.99       1.00       0.20       0.20  
Diluted earnings per share
    0.26       0.26       0.99       1.00       0.20       0.20  
                                                 
Consolidated balance sheet information:
                                               
Other assets
    58,220       58,907       58,220       58,907       59,122       59,846  
Retained earnings
    103,285       103,972       103,285       103,972       103,720       104,444  
 
 
11

 

3. 
ACQUISITIONS
 
Legacy Bancorp, Inc.

On July 21, 2011, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Legacy Bancorp, Inc.  (“Legacy”), the parent company of Legacy Banks.  Concurrently, Legacy Bancorp merged into Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Legacy Banks merged into Berkshire Bank.  Legacy had nineteen banking offices serving Western Massachusetts and Northeastern New York.  This business combination was substantially an in-market merger for Berkshire and the goodwill recognized results from the expected synergies and earnings accretion from this combination, including future cost savings related to Legacy operations.  The combination was negotiated between the companies and was approved unanimously by their boards of directors.

In order to resolve any anticompetitive issues, the merger was conditioned on the divestiture of four Legacy Berkshire County branches.  These branches were designated as discontinued operations and the divestiture was concluded on October 21, 2011.  Additionally, the Company contracted to sell four Legacy New York branches.  This sale is expected to be completed early in 2012 and these branches are also designated as discontinued operations in the financial statements.  Please see the Discontinued Operations footnote for further discussion of these divestitures.

On the acquisition date, Legacy had 7.717 million shares of common stock outstanding, net of 392 thousand shares held by Berkshire.  Legacy shareholders received 4.351 million shares of the Company’s common stock based on an exchange ratio of 0.56385 Berkshire shares for each Legacy share.  This common stock consideration was valued at $100.3 million based on the $23.06 closing price of Berkshire common stock on July 20, 2011.  Based on the closing price of Legacy stock on July 20,  the 392 thousand shares owned by Berkshire were valued at $5.6 million, and the value in excess of carrying value for these shares was recorded as a $2.0 million non-recurring gain in the statement of income.  Legacy shareholders also received $10.0 million in cash based on an exchange of $1.30 in cash for each Legacy share.  Additionally, Legacy shareholders of record on the merger date are scheduled to receive a divestiture dividend in the fourth quarter of 2011 related to the divestiture of four Berkshire County branches.  The fair value of this contingent consideration at merger date was estimated at $1.1 million, or $0.15 per share, contingent on the final divestiture of the branches.  In accordance with the merger agreement, Berkshire paid $1.2 million in cash consideration for certain outstanding Legacy options and issued new Berkshire options valued at $1.3 million for the remaining outstanding Legacy options.

The results of Legacy’s operations are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of acquisition. In connection with the merger, the consideration paid, the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition, as summarized in the following table in thousands, as of July 21, 2011.

 
12

 

Consideration Paid:
     
Berkshire Hills Bancorp common stock issued to Legacy common stockholders
  $ 100,334  
Cash consideration paid to Legacy common shareholders
    10,043  
Value of Legacy stock previously purchased by Berkshire Hills
    5,616  
Cash consideration paid for Legacy employee stock options
    1,237  
Option consideration paid for Legacy employee stock options
    1,349  
Contingent divestiture consideration recorded to Legacy common shareholders
    1,146  
Total consideration paid
    119,725  
         
Recognized Amounts of Identifiable Assets Aquired and (Liabilities Assumed), At Fair Value:
       
Cash and short term investments
    180,996  
Investment securities
    52,837  
Loans
    565,849  
Bank owned life insurance
    16,896  
Premises and equipment
    18,003  
Core deposit intangibles
    9,060  
Other intangibles
    3,712  
Other assets
    25,367  
Deposits
    (661,173 )
Borrowings
    (117,869 )
Other liabilities
    (4,067 )
Total identifiable net assets
    89,611  
         
Goodwill
  $ 30,114  

Except for collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the fair values for loans acquired from Legacy 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.  For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, to estimate the fair value we analyzed the value of the underlying collateral of the loans, assuming the fair values of the loans were derived from the eventual sale of the collateral.  We discounted those values 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.  There was no carryover of Legacy’s allowance for credit losses associated with the loans that were acquired as the loans were initially recorded at fair value.

Information about the acquired loan portfolio as of July 21, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition
  $ 584,216  
Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (nonaccretable discount)
    (8,371 )
Expected cash flows at acquisition
    575,845  
Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable discount)
    (9,996 )
Fair value of acquired loans
  $ 565,849  

The core deposit intangible asset recognized as part of the Legacy merger is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately ten years utilizing an accelerated method.  Other intangibles consist primarily of the wealth management contract intangible which is being amortized over its estimated useful life of ten years utilizing an accelerated method.

The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to our banking segment and is not deductible for tax purposes.  Legacy had no significant insurance related operations, so no goodwill was recognized in connection with the insurance segment of Berkshire.  Legacy goodwill related to discontinued operations has been included in assets from discontinued operations on the balance sheet.

 
13

 

The fair value of savings and transaction deposit accounts acquired from Legacy was assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand.  The fair value of time deposits was estimated by discounting the contractual future cash flows using market rates offered for time deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The fair value of borrowed funds was estimated by discounting the future cash flows using market rates for similar borrowings.

Rome Bancorp, Inc.

On April 1, 2011, the Company acquired all of the outstanding common shares of Rome Bancorp, Inc. ("Rome"), the parent company of The Rome Savings Bank. Concurrently, Rome Bancorp merged into Berkshire Hills Bancorp and The Rome Savings Bank merged into Berkshire Bank. Rome had five banking offices serving Rome, Lee, and New Hartford, New York.  This business combination is an extension of the Berkshire franchise and the goodwill recognized results from the expected synergies and earnings accretion from this combination, including future cost savings related to the Rome operations.  The combination was negotiated between the companies and was approved unanimously by their boards of directors.

Rome shareholders received 2.7 million shares of the Company’s common stock and $22.7 million in cash.  On the acquisition date, Rome had 6.7 million outstanding common shares.  Through a cash/stock election procedure, the Company paid $11.25 per share for 30% of the outstanding common shares and for 70% of the outstanding shares, the Company exchanged its stock in a ratio of 0.5658 shares of the Company’s common stock for each share of Rome stock.  The 2.7 million shares of Company common stock issued in this exchange were valued at $20.83 per share based on the closing price of Berkshire posted on March 31, 2011.  In addition to the above consideration, the Company owned 59 thousand shares of Rome stock which had been previously acquired at an average cost of $9.22 per share.  Berkshire recorded a $124 thousand gain on these shares which was recorded as non-recurring gain in the statement of income on the date of acquisition.  Berkshire paid $0.4 million in cash to retire outstanding Rome stock options.

The results of Rome’s operations are included in the Consolidated Statements of Income from the date of acquisition. In connection with the merger, the consideration paid, the assets acquired, and the liabilities assumed were recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition, as summarized in the following tables in thousands, as of April 1, 2011.

Consideration Paid:
     
Berkshire Hills Bancorp common stock issued to Rome common stockholders
  $ 55,419  
Cash consideration paid to Rome common shareholders
    22,683  
Value of Rome stock previously purchased by Berkshire Hills
    668  
Cash consideration paid for Rome employee stock options
    354  
Total consideration paid
    79,124  
         
Recognized Amounts of Identifiable Assets Aquired and (Liabilities Assumed), At Fair Value:
       
Cash and short term investments
    33,533  
Investment securities
    418  
Loans
    257,604  
Federal Home Loan Bank common stock
    3,571  
Bank owned life insurance
    9,908  
Premises and equipment
    4,732  
Core deposit intangibles
    4,820  
Other assets
    7,719  
Deposits
    (229,390 )
Borrowings
    (30,000 )
Other liabilities
    (134 )
Total identifiable net assets
    62,781  
         
Goodwill
  $ 16,343  
 
 
14

 

Except for collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, the fair values for loans acquired from Rome 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.  For collateral dependent loans with deteriorated credit quality, to estimate the fair value we analyzed the value of the underlying collateral of the loans, assuming the fair values of the loans were derived from the eventual sale of the collateral.  We discounted those values 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.  There was no carryover of Rome’s allowance for credit losses associated with the loans that were acquired as the loans were initially recorded at fair value.

Information about the acquired loan portfolio as of April 1, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

Contractually required principal and interest at acquisition
  $ 262,718  
Contractual cash flows not expected to be collected (nonaccretable discount)
    (4,880 )
Expected cash flows at acquisition
    257,838  
Interest component of expected cash flows (accretable discount)
    (234 )
Fair value of acquired loans
  $ 257,604  

The core deposit intangible asset recognized as part of the Rome merger is being amortized over its estimated useful life of approximately ten years utilizing an accelerated method.  The goodwill, which is not amortized for book purposes, was assigned to our banking segment and is not deductible for tax purposes.  Rome had no insurance related operations, so no goodwill was recognized in connection with the insurance segment of Berkshire.

The fair value of savings and transaction deposit accounts acquired from Rome was assumed to approximate the carrying value as these accounts have no stated maturity and are payable on demand.  The fair value of time deposits was estimated by discounting the contractual future cash flows using market rates offered for time deposits of similar remaining maturities.  The fair value of borrowings assumed was equal to carrying value, since these were overnight borrowings at the time of the merger.

Financial Information

The following table presents selected pro forma financial information reflecting the Rome and Legacy acquisitions assuming they were completed as of January 1, 2010.   The pro forma financial information is presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial results of the combined companies had these acquisitions 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 incremental shares issued, assuming the Rome and Legacy acquisitions occurred at the beginning of the periods presented.    The pro forma information is based on the actual financial statements of Berkshire for the periods shown, and on the actual financial statements of  Rome and Legacy for the 2010 period shown and in 2011 until the date of acquisition, at which time their operations became included in Berkshire’s financial statements.

This pro forma information gives effect to pro forma estimates of certain adjustments, including purchase accounting fair value adjustments, amortization of core deposit and other intangibles and related income tax effects. Merger related costs recorded by Berkshire are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and these costs are also included on a pro forma basis in the 2010 pro forma financial information below.  Planned cost savings are not reflected in the unaudited pro forma amounts for the periods shown.  Pro forma results in 2011 include certain non-routine charges recorded by Rome and Legacy in 2011 prior to the time of the merger.  The Company has determined that it is impracticable to report the amounts of revenue and earnings of Rome and Legacy since their acquisition dates included in the consolidated statement of income due to the integration of their operations with those of the Company subsequent to their acquisitions. The Company has also determined that it is impracticable to adjust pro forma net interest income and non-interest income for Legacy discontinued operations prior to the date of the Legacy merger on July 21, 2011. Legacy financial records do not provide a consistent and separate financial history for these operations which would provide a suitable basis for these pro forma financial disclosures. Net income results of these operations are included in pro forma net income for the periods shown.   Pro forma net income for the first nine months of 2010 is adjusted by non-recurring items consisting of an $8.9 million credit representing the reversal of the Rome and Legacy loan loss provisions in 2010, the additional $2.1 million in gains recorded on Rome and Legacy stock in 2011, and $16.7 million in charges representing merger related expenses for Rome and Legacy recorded by Berkshire in 2010 and 2011, net of tax effects. Pro forma net income for the first nine months of 2011 is adjusted by non-recurring items consisting of a $0.1 million credit representing the reversal of the Rome and Legacy loan loss provisions in 2011and the reversal of the $2.1 million in gains on Rome and Legacy stock and the $16.2 million in merger and systems charges recorded by Berkshire in 2011, net of tax effects.
 
 
15

 

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

   
Pro Forma
 
   
Nine months ended September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
             
Net interest income
  $ 97,965     $ 93,402  
Non-interest income
    31,020       32,653  
Net income
    16,557       7,760  
                 
Pro forma earnings per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.86     $ 0.48  
Diluted
  $ 0.86     $ 0.48  

4. 
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
In order to minimize potential anti-competitive effects of the Legacy acquisition, the Company agreed to sell four Legacy Berkshire branches in conjunction with the Legacy merger agreement dated July 21, 2011.  On October 21, 2011, the Company completed the divestiture of four Massachusetts bank branches in Berkshire County to NBT Bank, NA (“NBT”), a subsidiary of NBT Bancorp Inc.  The Company continued to operate these branches until the divestiture was completed on October 21, 2011.  Berkshire received a 6% deposit premium on these branches and will pay a related divestiture dividend to former Legacy shareholders for a portion of these proceeds pursuant to the Legacy merger agreement. Further information on the divestiture is provided in Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements.  The above actions and subsequent divestiture have resulted in the discontinuance of these operations, which were included in discontinued operations as of September 30, 2011.  As of September 30, 2011, the Bank reclassified $55.9 million of assets and $152.6 million of liabilities to discontinued operations.

Additionally, Berkshire made a separate determination to sell four former Legacy New York branches that were not within its financial performance objectives.  In the third quarter of 2011, management committed to a plan to sell the four branches and initiated the process to locate a buyer.  Berkshire has entered into an agreement to divest these branches for a 2.5% deposit premium, and plans to complete the divestiture in the first quarter of 2012.  These branches are also designated as discontinued operations in Berkshire’s financial statements.  As of September 30, 2011, the Bank reclassified $7.1 million of assets and $57.7 million of liabilities to discontinued operations.

 
16

 
 
Assets and liabilities of discontinued operations, all of which are classified as held-for-sale, were estimated as follows as of September 30, 2011, in thousands:
 
(In thousand)
 
2011
 
Assets
     
Loans
  $ 48,581  
Cash
    972  
Goodwill
    6,082  
Intangibles
    2,714  
Other
    4,684  
Total assets
    63,033  
Liabilities
       
Deposits
    210,314  
Other
    5  
Total liabilities
    210,319  
Net liabilities
  $ 147,286  

The following table provides financial information for the discontinued operations for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2011.

(In thousands)
 
2011
 
Net Interest Income
  $ 513  
Non-interest Income
    91  
Total Net Revenue
    604  
         
Non-Interest Expense
    612  
Loss from discontinued operations
    (8 )
Income tax benefit
    3  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
  $ (5 )

5. 
TRADING ACCOUNT SECURITY
 
The Company holds a tax advantaged economic development bond that is being accounted for at fair value. The security had an amortized cost of $14.2 million and $14.6 million, and a fair value of $17.5 million and $16.2 million, at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. As discussed further in Note 13 - 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, 2011.

 
17

 

6. 
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, 2011
                       
Securities available for sale
                       
Debt securities:
                       
Municipal bonds and obligations
  $ 74,392     $ 3,645     $ -     $ 78,037  
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
    47,759       1,079       -       48,838  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
    218,910       4,252       (77 )     223,085  
Corporate bonds
    9,996       -       (364 )     9,632  
Trust preferred securities
    20,092       2       (2,526 )     17,568  
Other bonds and obligations
    660       1       -       661  
Total debt securities
    371,809       8,979       (2,967 )     377,821  
Equity securities:
                               
Marketable equity securities
    18,412       773       (1,460 )     17,725  
Total securities available for sale
    390,221       9,752       (4,427 )     395,546  
                                 
Securities held to maturity
                               
Municipal bonds and obligations
    9,427       -       -       9,427  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
    80       4       -       84  
Tax advantaged economic development bonds
    48,140       1,958       -       50,098  
Other bonds and obligations
    615       -       -       615  
Total securities held to maturity
    58,262       1,962       -       60,224  
                                 
Total
  $ 448,483     $ 11,714     $ (4,427 )   $ 455,770  
                                 
December 31, 2010
                               
Securities available for sale
                               
Debt securities:
                               
Municipal bonds and obligations
  $ 79,292     $ 1,008     $ (394 )   $ 79,906  
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
    25,801       370       (7 )     26,164  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
    144,493       2,806       (580 )     146,719  
Corporate bonds
    18,307       73       (90 )     18,290  
Trust preferred  securities
    22,222       316       (2,683 )     19,855  
Other bonds and obligations
    402       2       (1 )     403  
Total debt securities
    290,517       4,575       (3,755 )     291,337  
Equity securities:
                               
Marketable equity securities
    15,756       3,217       (68 )     18,905  
Total securities available for sale
    306,273       7,792       (3,823 )     310,242  
                                 
Securities held to maturity
                               
Municipal bonds and obligations
    7,069       -       -       7,069  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed
                         
securities
    83       3       -       86  
Tax advantaged economic development bonds
    48,861       1,155       -       50,016  
Other bonds and obligations
    423       -       -       423  
Total securities held to maturity
    56,436       1,158       -       57,594  
                                 
Total
  $ 362,709     $ 8,950     $ (3,823 )   $ 367,836  
 
 
18

 

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, 2011 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
  $ 307     $ 308     $ 5,603     $ 5,603  
Over 1 year to 5 years
    8,297       7,977       2,073       2,073  
Over 5 years to 10 years
    18,092       18,609       31,435       32,634  
Over 10 years
    78,443       79,004       19,071       19,830  
Total bonds and obligations
    105,139       105,898       58,182       60,140  
                                 
Marketable equity securities
    18,412       17,725       -       -  
Residential mortgage-backed securities
    266,670       271,923       80       84  
                                 
Total
  $ 390,221     $ 395,546     $ 58,262     $ 60,224  

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, 2011
                 
                                     
Securities available for sale
                                   
Debt securities:
                                   
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
  $ 71     $ 30,098     $ 6     $ 2,255     $ 77     $ 32,353  
Corporate bonds
    322       6,678       42       2,954       364       9,632  
Trust preferred securities
    20       10,300       2,506       3,133       2,526       13,433  
Other bonds and obligations
    -       -       -       72       -       72  
Total debt securities
    413       47,076       2,554       8,414       2,967       55,490  
                                                 
Marketable equity securities
    1,460       8,036       -       -       1,460       8,036  
Total securities available for sale
    1,873       55,112       2,554       8,414       4,427       63,526  
                                                 
December 31, 2010
                     
                                                 
Securities available for sale
                                               
Debt securities:
                                               
Municipal bonds and obligations
  $ 335     $ 15,630     $ 59     $ 1,195     $ 394     $ 16,825  
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
    7       5,125       -       -       7       5,125  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
    580       54,056       -       -       580       54,056  
Corporate bonds
    15       1,985       75       2,920       90       4,905  
Trust preferred securities
    5       2,041       2,678       4,529       2,683       6,570  
Other bonds and obligations
    -       -       1       309       1       309  
Total debt securities
    942       78,837       2,813       8,953       3,755       87,790  
                                                 
Marketable equity securities
    -       -       68       1,432       68       1,432  
Total securities available for sale
  $ 942     $ 78,837     $ 2,881     $ 10,385     $ 3,823     $ 89,222  
 
 
19

 

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, 2011, 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 historical 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, 2011:

AFS municipal bonds and obligations

At September 30, 2011, 0 out of a total of 132 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS municipal bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. There were no material underlying credit downgrades during 2011. All securities are considered performing.

AFS and HTM residential mortgage-backed securities

At September 30, 2011, 9 out of a total of 151 securities in the Company’s portfolios of AFS residential mortgage-backed and 1 out of a total of 4 securities in the Company’s portfolios of HTM residential mortgage-backed were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented less than 1% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions within both portfolios. 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 residential mortgage-backed securities. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during 2011. All securities are considered performing.

AFS corporate bonds

At September 30, 2011, 3 out of a total of 3 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS corporate bonds were in an unrealized loss position. The aggregate unrealized loss represented 4% of the amortized cost of the securities. The securities are investment grade rated, and there was no material underlying credit downgrade during 2011. The securities are considered performing.

AFS trust preferred securities

At September 30, 2011, 4 out of a total of 6 securities in the Company’s portfolio of AFS trust preferred securities were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented 16% of the amortized cost of securities in unrealized loss positions. The Company’s evaluation of the present value of expected cash flows on these securities supports its conclusions about the recoverability of the securities’ amortized cost bases.

At September 30, 2011, $2.1 million of the total unrealized losses was attributable to a $2.6 million investment in a Mezzanine Class B tranche of a $360 million pooled trust preferred security issued by banking and insurance entities. The Company evaluated the security, with a Level 3 fair value of $0.5 million, for potential other-than-temporary-impairment (“OTTI”) at September 30, 2011 and determined that OTTI was not evident based on both the Company’s more likely than not ability to hold the security until the recovery of its remaining amortized cost and the protection from credit loss afforded by $32 million in excess subordination above current and projected losses. The security is considered performing.

AFS other bonds and obligations

At September 30, 2011, 2 out of a total of 8 securities in the Company’s portfolio of other bonds and obligations were in unrealized loss positions. Aggregate unrealized losses represented less than 1% of the book value of the securities in unrealized loss positions. The securities are investment grade rated and there were no material underlying credit downgrades during 2011. All securities are considered performing.

 
20

 

HTM tax advantaged economic development bonds

At September 30, 2011, none of the 10 securities in the Company’s portfolio of tax advantaged economic development bonds were in an unrealized loss position.

Marketable Equity Securities

In evaluating its marketable equity securities portfolio for OTTI, the Company considers its more likely than not ability to hold an equity security to recovery of its cost basis.  In addition, various other factors are considered, 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, 2011, 6 out of a total of 19 securities in the Company’s portfolio of marketable equity securities were in an unrealized loss position. The unrealized loss represented 15% of the cost of the impaired securities. The Company has the intent and ability to hold the securities until a recovery of their cost bases and does not consider the securities other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011. 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.
 
7. 
LOANS
 
Loans consist of the following:

(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
             
Residential mortgages
           
1-4 family
  $ 1,012,100     $ 619,969  
Construction
    33,263       25,004  
Total residential mortgages
    1,045,363       644,973  
                 
Commercial mortgages:
               
Construction
    113,855       126,824  
Single and multifamily
    112,657       86,925  
Commercial real estate
    931,628       711,824  
Total commercial mortgages
    1,158,140       925,573  
                 
Commercial business loans
               
Asset based lending
    151,062       98,239  
Other commercial business loans
    231,097       187,848  
Total commercial business loans
    382,159       286,087  
                 
Total commercial loans
    1,540,299       1,211,660  
                 
Consumer loans:
               
Home equity
    302,553       226,458  
Other
    66,345       59,071  
Total consumer loans
    368,898       285,529  
                 
Total loans
  $ 2,954,560     $ 2,142,162  
 
 
21

 

The following table presents the outstanding principal balance and the related carrying amount of the acquired loans included in our Consolidated Balance Sheet:

(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
 
Outstanding principal balance
  $ 752,558  
Carrying amount
    730,723  

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

(In thousands)
 
2011
 
Three months ended September 30, 2011
     
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 314  
Acquisitions
    3,142  
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows
    -  
Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference
    -  
Accretion
    (1,159 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 2,297  

(In thousands)
 
2011
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2011
     
Balance at beginning of period
  $ -  
Acquisitions
    3,553  
Reclassification from nonaccretable difference for loans with improved cash flows
    -  
Changes in expected cash flows that do not affect nonaccretable difference
    -  
Accretion
    (1,256 )
Balance at end of period
  $ 2,297  
 
 
22

 

The following is a summary of past due loans at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
 
Historical Loans
(in thousands)
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
   
60-89 Days
Past Due
   
Greater
Than 90
Days Past
Due
   
Total Past
Due
   
Current
   
Total
Loans
   
Past Due >
90 days
and
Accruing
 
September 30, 2011
                                         
Residential mortgages:
                                         
1-4 family
  $ 1,732     $ 6,065     $ 4,648     $ 12,445     $ 645,138     $ 657,583     $ 215  
Construction
    -       -       132       132       25,682       25,814       -  
Total
    1,732       6,065       4,780       12,577       670,820       683,397       215  
Commercial mortgages:
                                                       
Construction
    428       -       6,760       7,188       99,252       106,440       -  
Single and multi-family
    176       -       202       378       94,881       95,259       -  
Commercial real estate
    6,535       1,512       6,292       14,339       735,056       749,395       1,947  
Total
    7,139       1,512       13,254       21,905       929,189       951,094       1,947  
Commercial business loans:
                                                       
Asset based lending
    -       -       -       -       151,062       151,062       -  
Other commercial business loans
    222       296       1,234       1,752       178,447       180,199       212  
Total
    222       296       1,234       1,752       329,509       331,261       212  
Consumer loans:
                                                       
Home equity
    50       -       1,712       1,762       225,691       227,453       17  
Other
    290       459       135       884       29,748       30,632       65  
Total
    340       459       1,847       2,646       255,439       258,085       82  
Total
  $ 9,433     $ 8,332     $ 21,115     $ 38,880     $ 2,184,957     $ 2,223,837     $ 2,456  

Acquired Loans
(in thousands)
 
30-59 Days
Past Due
   
60-89 Days
Past Due
   
Greater
Than 90
Days Past
Due
   
Total Past
Due
   
Current
   
Total
Loans
   
Past Due >
90 days
and
Accruing
 
September 30, 2011
                                         
Residential mortgages:
                                         
1-4 family
  $ 2,639     $ 389     $ 1,406     $ 4,434     $ 350,083     $ 354,517     $ 1,221  
Construction
    -       -       -       -       7,449       7,449       -  
Total
    2,639       389       1,406       4,434       357,532       361,966       1,221  
Commercial mortgages:
                                                       
Construction
    -       214       299       513       6,902       7,415       299  
Single and multi-family
    110       -       687       797       16,601       17,398       687  
Commercial real estate
    955       279       3,987       5,221       177,012       182,233       1,573  
Total
    1,065       493       4,973       6,531       200,515       207,046       2,559  
                                                         
Commercial business loans:
                                                       
Asset based lending
    -       -       -       -       3,009       3,009       -  
Other commercial business loans
    328       96       608       1,032       46,857       47,889       212  
Total
    328       96       608       1,032       49,866       50,898       212  
Consumer loans:
                                                       
Home equity
    426       25       53       504       74,596       75,100       53  
Other
    404       40       155       599       35,114       35,713       86  
Total
    830       65       208       1,103       109,710       110,813       139  
Total
  $ 4,862     $ 1,043     $ 7,195     $ 13,100     $ 717,623     $ 730,723     $ 4,150  

 
23

 
 
                
Greater
                     
Past Due >
 
               
Than 90
                     
90 days
 
   
30-59 Days
   
60-89 Days
   
Days Past
   
Total Past
         
Total
   
and
 
(in thousands)
 
Past Due
   
Past Due
   
Due
   
Due
   
Current
   
Loans
   
Accruing
 
December 31, 2010
                                         
Residential mortgages:
                                         
1-4 family
  $ 2,103     $ 1,598     $ 1,936     $ 5,637     $ 614,332     $ 619,969     $ -  
Construction
    -       104       237       341       24,663       25,004       -  
Total
    2,103       1,702       2,173       5,978       638,995       644,973       -  
Commercial mortgages:
                                                       
Construction
    -       -       1,962       1,962       124,862       126,824       -  
Single and multi-family
    -       -       1,514       1,514       85,411       86,925       88  
Commercial real estate
    389       74       6,442       6,905       704,919       711,824       342  
Total
    389       74       9,918       10,381       915,192       925,573       430  
                                                         
Commercial business loans - other
    111       128       1,617       1,856       284,231       286,087       312  
Consumer loans:
                                                       
Home equity
    119       20       856       995       225,463       226,458       147  
Other
    780       245       202       1,227       57,844       59,071       165  
Total
    899       265       1,058       2,222       283,307       285,529       312  
Total
  $ 3,502     $ 2,169     $ 14,766     $ 20,437     $ 2,121,725     $ 2,142,162     $ 1,054  
 
There were no acquired loans as of December 31, 2010 to disclose.
 
Activity in the allowance for loan losses for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:
 
Historical Loans
(In thousands)
 
Residential
mortgages
   
Commercial
mortgages
   
Commercial
business
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ 3,077     $ 19,461     $ 6,038     $ 2,099     $ 1,223     $ 31,898  
Charged-off loans
    794       2,701       1,144       744       -       5,383  
Recoveries on charged-off loans
    152       42       54       118       -       366  
Provision for loan losses
    400       6,182       (1,106 )     656       (1,132 )     5,000  
Balance at September 30, 2011
    2,835       22,984       3,842       2,129       91       31,881  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
    136       1,553       388       428       -       2,505  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 2,699     $ 21,431     $ 3,454     $ 1,701     $ 91     $ 29,376  
 
Acquired Loans
(In thousands)
 
Residential
mortgages
   
Commercial
mortgages
   
Commercial
business
   
Consumer
   
Unallocated
   
Total
 
                                     
Balance at December 31, 2010
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Charged-off loans
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Recoveries on charged-off loans
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Provision for loan losses
    99       158       13       30       -       300  
Balance at September 30, 2011
    99       158       13       30       -       300  
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
    -       -       -       -       -       -  
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
  $ 99     $ 158     $ 13     $ 30     $ -     $ 300  

(In thousands)
 
Total
 
       
Balance at December 31, 2009
  $ 31,816  
      -  
Charged-off loans
    (8,468 )
Recoveries on charged-off loans
    1,962  
Net loans charged-off
    (6,506 )
         
Provision for loan losses
    6,526  
         
Balance at September 30, 2010
  $ 31,836  

 
24

 

The following is a summary of impaired loans at September 30, 2011 and for the nine months then ended:

   
At September 30, 2011
   
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011
 
Historical Loans
(in thousands)
 
Recorded
Investment
   
Unpaid Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Cash Basis
Interest Income
Recognized
 
With no related allowance:
                             
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family
  $ 2,498     $ 2,498     $ -     $ 1,487     $ 39  
Residential mortgages - construction
    50       50       -       52       -  
Commercial-construction
    -       -       -       105       -  
Commercial mortgages - single and multifamily
    164       164       -       89       1  
Commercial mortgages - real estate
    2,148       2,148       -       7,470       248  
Commercial business loans
    -       -       -       31       1  
Consumer-home equity
    473       473       -       361       5  
                                         
With an allowance recorded:
                                       
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family
  $ 484     $ 619     $ 136     $ 568     $ 20  
Residential mortgages - construction
    -       -       -       21       -  
Commercial business loans
    34       423       388       429       3  
Commercial-construction
    5,630       6,760       1,130       3,504       -  
Commercial mortgages - single and multifamily
    -       -       -       365       11  
Commercial mortgages - real estate
    1,256       1,678       423       2,077       20  
Consumer-home equity
    417       845       428       154       -  
                                         
Total
                                       
Residential mortgages
  $ 3,032     $ 3,168     $ 136     $ 2,129     $ 59  
Commercial mortgages
    9,198       10,750       1,553       13,611       280  
Commercial business loans
    34       423       388       460       4  
Consumer loans
    890       1,318       428       515       5  
Total impaired loans
  $ 13,154     $ 15,659     $ 2,505     $ 16,715     $ 348  

Acquired Loans
(in thousands)
 
Recorded
Investment
   
Unpaid Principal
Balance
   
Related
Allowance
   
Average
Recorded
Investment
   
Cash Basis
Interest Income
Recognized
 
With no related allowance:
                             
Commercial mortgages - real estate
  $ 2,414     $ 2,414     $ -     $ 1,064     $ -  
Commercial business loans
    364       364       -       161       -  
                                         
Total
                                       
Commercial mortgages
  $ 2,414     $ 2,414     $ -     $ 1,064     $ -  
Commercial business loans
    364       364       -       161       -  
Total impaired loans
  $ 2,778     $ 2,778     $ -     $ 1,225     $ -  
 
 
25

 

The following is a summary of impaired loans at December 31, 2010:
 
    At December 31, 2010  
(In thousands)
 
Recorded
Investment
   
Unpaid Principal
Balance
   
Related Allowance
 
With no related allowance:
                 
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family
  $ 201     $ 201     $ -  
Residential mortgages - construction
    -       -       -  
Commercial business - other
    8,596       8,596       -  
Consumer - home equity
    397       397       -  
                         
With an allowance recorded:
                       
Residential mortgages - 1-4 family
  $ 973     $ 1,206     $ 233  
Residential mortgages - construction
    178       191       13  
Commercial mortgages - construction
    1,432       1,735       303  
Commercial mortgages - single and multifamily
    772       1,211       439  
Commercial mortgages - real estate
    1,594       3,003       1,409  
Commercial business - other
    10       102       92  
                         
Total
                       
Residential mortgages
  $ 1,352     $ 1,598     $ 246  
Commercial mortgages
    3,798       5,949       2,151  
Commercial business
    8,606       8,698       92  
Consumer
    397       397       -  
Total impaired loans
  $ 14,153     $ 16,642     $ 2,489  

The following is summary information pertaining to non-accrual loans at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
 
(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Historical loans
   
Acquired loans
   
Total
       
Residential mortgages:
                       
1-4 family
  $ 4,433     $ 185     $ 4,618     $ 1,936  
Construction
    132       -       132       237  
Total
    4,565       185       4,750       2,173  
                                 
Commercial mortgages:
                               
Construction
    6,760       -       6,760       1,962  
Single and multi-family
    202       -       202       1,426  
Other
    4,345       2,414       6,759       6,100  
Total
    11,307       2,414       13,721       9,488  
                                 
Commercial business loans - other
    1,022       377       1,399       1,305  
                                 
Consumer loans:
                               
Home equity
    1,695       -       1,695       709  
Other
    70       69       139       37  
Total
    1,765       69       1,834       746  
                                 
Total non-accrual loans
  $ 18,659     $ 3,045     $ 21,704     $ 13,712  
 
 
26

 

Credit Quality Information
 
The Bank utilizes a twelve grade internal loan rating system for each of its commercial real estate, construction and commercial loans as follows:

1
Substantially Risk Free

Borrowers in this category are of unquestioned credit standing and are at the pinnacle of credit quality. Credits in this category are generally cash secured with strong management depth and experience and exhibit a superior track record.

2
Minimal Risk

A relationship which provides an adequate return on investment to the Company, have been stable during the last three years and have a superior financial condition as determined by a comparison with the industry.  In addition, management must be of unquestionable character and have strong abilities as measured by their long-term financial performance.

3
Moderate Risk

A relationship which does not appear to possess more than the normal degree of credit risk.  Overall, the borrower’s financial statements compare favorably with the industry.  A strong secondary repayment source exists and the loan is performing as agreed.
 
4
Better than Average Risk

A relationship which possesses most of the characteristics found in the Moderate Risk category and range from definitely sound to those with minor risk characteristics. Operates in a reasonably stable industry that may be moderately affected by the business cycle and moderately open to changes. Has a satisfactory track record and the loan is performing as agreed.

5
Average Risk

A relationship which possesses most of the characteristics found in the Better than Average Risk category but may have recently experienced a loss year often as a result of their operation in a cyclical industry. The relationship has smaller margins of debt service coverage with some elements of reduced strength. Good secondary repayment source exists and the loan is performing as agreed.  Start-up businesses and construction loans will generally be assigned to this category as well.

6
Acceptable Risk

 Borrowers in this category may be more highly leveraged than their industry peers and experience moderate losses relative to net worth.  Trends and performance i.e. sales and earnings, leverage, etc. may be negative.  Management’s ability may be questionable, or perhaps untested.  The industry may be experiencing either temporary or long term pressures.  Collateral values are seen as more important in assessing risk than in higher quality loans.  Failure to meet required line clean-up periods or other terms and conditions, including some slow payments may also predicate this grade.

Special Mention

A classification assigned to all relationships for credits with potential weaknesses which present a higher than normal credit risk, but not to the point of requiring a Substandard loan classification.  No loss of principal or interest is anticipated, however, these credits are followed closely, and if necessary, remedial plans to reduce the Company’s risk exposure are established.

 
27

 

Substandard – Performing

A classification assigned to a credit that is inadequately protected by the current sound worth and paying capacity of the obligor or of the collateral pledged, if any.  Loans so classified must have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquation of the debt.  They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Company will sustain some loss if the deficiencies are not corrected.  Substandard loans will be evaluated on at least a quarterly basis to determine if an additional allocation of the Company’s allowance for loan loss is warranted.

Substandard – Non-Performing

A classification given to Substandard credits which have deteriorated to the point that management has placed the accounts on non-accrual status due to delinquency exceeding 90 days or where the Company has determined that collection of principal and interest in full is unlikely.

10 
Doubtful

Loans classified as doubtful have all the weaknesses inherent in those classified Substandard with the added characteristic that the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently known facts, highly questionable and improbable.  Collection in excess of 50% of the balance owed is not expected.

11 
Loss

Loans classified Loss are considered uncollectible and of such little value that their continuance as bankable assets is not warranted.  This classification does not mean that the loan has absolutely no recovery or salvage value but rather it is not practical or desirable to defer writing off this basically worthless asset even though partial recovery may be possible in the future.

100 
Small Business Express

Grade established for all small business credits deemed pass rated or better.

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.
 
Other consumer loans, including auto loans, are rated 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.

 
28

 

The following table presents the Company’s loans by risk rating at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
 
Historical  Loans

Residential Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade

    
1-4 family
   
Construction
   
Total residential mortgages
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Grade:
                                   
Pass
  $ 646,870     $ 616,435     $ 25,682     $ 24,663     $ 672,552     $ 641,098  
Special mention
    6,065       1,598       -       104       6,065       1,702  
Substandard
    4,648       1,936       132       237       4,780       2,173  
Total
  $ 657,583     $ 619,969     $ 25,814     $ 25,004     $ 683,397     $ 644,973  
 

Commercial Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
    
Construction
   
Single and multi-family
   
Real estate
   
Total commercial mortgages
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Grade:
                                               
Pass
  $ 84,194     $ 100,737     $ 90,980     $ 82,017     $ 662,847     $ 626,571     $ 838,021     $ 809,325  
Special mention
    4,436       10,803       592       381       29,121       27,377       34,149       38,561  
Substandard
    14,061       15,095       3,687       4,527       57,309       57,752       75,057       77,374  
Doubtful
    3,749       189       -       -       118       124       3,867       313  
Total
  $ 106,440     $ 126,824     $ 95,259     $ 86,925     $ 749,395     $ 711,824     $ 951,094     $ 925,573  

Commercial Business Loans
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
    
Asset based lending
   
Other
   
Total commercial business loans
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Grade:
                                   
Pass
  $ 149,580     $ 98,239     $ 168,925     $ 180,321     $ 318,505     $ 278,560  
Special mention
    -       -       4,343       1,281       4,343       1,281  
Substandard
    1,482       -       6,543       6,164       8,025       6,164  
Doubtful
    -       -       388       82       388       82  
Total
  $ 151,062     $ 98,239     $ 180,199     $ 187,848     $ 331,261     $ 286,087  

Consumer Loans
Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
    
Home equity
   
Other
   
Total consumer loans
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Performing
  $ 225,758     $ 225,749     $ 30,562     $ 59,034     $ 256,320     $ 284,783  
Nonperforming
    1,695       709       70       37       1,765       746  
Total
  $ 227,453     $ 226,458     $ 30,632     $ 59,071     $ 258,085     $ 285,529  
 
 
29

 
 
Acquired  Loans

Residential Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Internally Assigned Grade

    
1-4 family
   
Construction
   
Total residential mortgages
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Grade:
                                   
Pass
  $ 353,910     $ -     $ 6,261     $ -     $ 360,171     $ -  
Special mention
    -       -       389       -       389       -  
Substandard
    607       -       799       -       1,406       -  
Total
  $ 354,517     $ -     $ 7,449     $ -     $ 361,966     $ -  

Commercial Mortgages
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
    
Construction
   
Single and multi-family
   
Real estate
   
Total commercial mortgages
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Grade:
                                               
Pass
  $ 3,625     $ -     $ 15,737     $ -     $ 163,612     $ -     $ 182,974     $ -  
Special mention
    2,911       -       792       -       8,266       -       11,969       -  
Substandard
    879       -       869       -       10,355       -       12,103       -  
Total
  $ 7,415     $ -     $ 17,398     $ -     $ 182,233     $ -     $ 207,046     $ -  

Commercial Business Loans
Credit Risk Profile by Creditworthiness Category
    
Asset based lending
   
Other
   
Total commercial business loans
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Grade:
                                   
Pass
  $ 3,009     $ -     $ 39,896     $ -     $ 42,905     $ -  
Special mention
    -       -       4,214       -       4,214       -  
Substandard
    -       -       3,779       -       3,779       -  
Total
  $ 3,009     $ -     $ 47,889     $ -     $ 50,898     $ -  

Consumer Loans
Credit Risk Profile Based on Payment Activity
    
Home equity
   
Other
   
Total consumer loans
 
(In thousands)
 
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
   
Sept. 30, 2011
   
Dec. 31, 2010
 
Performing
  $ 75,100     $ -     $ 35,644     $ -     $ 110,744     $ -  
Nonperforming
    -       -       69       -       69       -  
Total
  $ 75,100     $ -     $ 35,713     $ -     $ 110,813     $ -  
 
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.
 
The following table includes the recorded investment and number of modifications for modified loans. The Company reports the recorded investment in the loans prior to a modification and also the recorded investment in the loans after the loans were restructured.

    
Modifications by Class
 
    
As of September 30, 2011
 
    
Number of
Modifications
   
Pre-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
   
Post-Modification
Outstanding Recorded
Investment
 
Troubled Debt Restructurings
                 
Commercial - Other
    1     $ 726     $ 177  
 
 
30

 

As of September 30, 2011, there were no loans that were restructured within the last 12 months that have subsequently defaulted.

8. 
DEPOSITS
 
A summary of time deposits is as follows:

(In thousands)
 
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
Time less than $100,000
  $ 489,389     $ 368,770  
Time $100,000 or more
    497,590       372,354  
Total time deposits
  $ 986,979     $ 741,124  

9. 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
The Bank’s actual and required capital ratios were as follows:

               
FDIC Minimum
 
    
September 30, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
   
to be Well Capitalized
 
                   
Total capital to risk weighted assets
    10.6 %     10.6 %     10.0 %
                         
Tier 1 capital to risk weighted assets
    9.6       9.3       6.0  
                         
Tier 1 capital to average assets
    8.3       8.0       5.0  

At each date shown, Berkshire Bank met the conditions to be classified as “well capitalized” under the regulatory framework for prompt corrective action.  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.

 
31

 

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
   
Nine Months Ended
 
    
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
Net income
  $ 4,392     $ 3,454     $ 9,104     $ 10,228  
Less: Cumulative preferred stock dividends and accretion
    -       -       -       -  
Less: Deemed dividend resulting from preferred stock repayment
    -       -       -       -  
Net income available to common stockholders
  $ 4,392     $ 3,454     $ 9,104     $ 10,228  
                                 
Average number of common shares outstanding
    20,201       14,037       17,034       14,020  
Less: average number of unvested stock award shares
    (192 )     (172 )     (171 )     (168 )
Average number of basic shares outstanding
    20,009       13,865       16,863       13,852  
Plus: average number of dilutive unvested stock award shares
    90       22       49       20  
Plus: average number of dilutive stock options
    6       6       3       11  
Average number of diluted shares outstanding
    20,105       13,893       16,915       13,883  
                                 
Basic and diluted earnings per share:
                               
Continuing operations
  $ 0.22     $ 0.25     $ 0.54     $ 0.74  
Discontinued operations
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  

For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, 102 thousand shares of restricted stock and 170 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations. For the quarter ended September 30, 2010, 145 thousand shares of restricted stock and 117 thousand options were anti-dilutive and therefore excluded from the earnings per share calculations.

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, 2011 is presented in the following table:

   
Non-vested Stock
             
    
Awards Outstanding
   
Stock Options Outstanding
 
          
Weighted-
         
Weighted-
 
          
Average
         
Average
 
    
Number of
   
Grant Date
   
Number of
   
Exercise
 
(Shares in thousands)
 
Shares
   
Fair Value
   
Shares
   
Price
 
Balance as of December 31, 2010
    171     $ 18.42       152     $ 24.41  
Granted
    124       21.91       -       -  
Acquired
    -       -       195       23.19  
Stock options exercised
    -       -       (13 )     16.75  
Stock awards vested
    (66 )     19.62       -       -  
Forfeited
    (23 )     19.55       -       -  
Expired
    -       -       (36 )     19.80  
Balance as of September 30, 2011
    206     $ 20.02       298     $ 24.48  
 
 
32

 
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, proceeds from stock option exercises totaled $624 thousand and $403 thousand, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011, there were 66 thousand shares issued in connection with vested stock awards.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, there were 49 thousand shares issued in connection with vested stock awards.  All of these shares were issued from available treasury stock.  Stock-based compensation expense totaled $1.1 million and $1.2 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized ratably over the requisite service period for all awards.

12. 
OPERATING SEGMENTS
 
The Company has two reportable operating segments, Banking and Insurance, which are delineated by the consolidated subsidiaries of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.  Banking includes the activities of the Bank and its subsidiaries, which provide retail and commercial banking, along with wealth management and investment services.  Insurance includes the activities of BIG, which provides retail and commercial insurance services.  The only other consolidated financial activity of the Company is the Parent, which consists of the transactions of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. Management fees for corporate services provided by the Bank to BIG and the Parent are eliminated.

The accounting policies of each reportable segment are the same as those of the Company.  The Insurance segment and the Parent reimburse the Bank for administrative services provided to them.  Income tax expense for the individual segments is calculated based on the activity of the segments, and the Parent records the tax expense or benefit necessary to reconcile to the consolidated total.  The Parent does not allocate capital costs.  Average assets include securities available-for-sale based on amortized cost.

 
33

 

A summary of the Company’s operating segments was as follows:
 
(In thousands)
 
Banking
   
Insurance
   
Parent
   
Eliminations
   
Total Consolidated
 
Three months ended September 30, 2011
                             
Net interest income (expense)
  $ 31,253     $ -     $ (215 )   $ -     $ 31,038  
Provision for loan losses
    2,200       -       -       -       2,200  
Non-interest income
    8,248       2,426       3,570       (3,570 )     10,674  
Non-interest expense
    34,163       2,148       (1,602 )     1       34,710  
Income before income taxes
    3,138       278       4,957       (3,571 )     4,802  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (272 )     114       569       (1 )     410  
Net income
  $ 3,410     $ 164     $ 4,388     $ (3,570 )   $ 4,392  
                                         
Average assets (in millions)
  $ 3,827     $ 30     $ 479     $ (475 )   $ 3,861  
                                         
Three months ended September 30, 2010
                                       
Net interest income (expense)
  $ 19,897     $ -     $ (213 )     -     $ 19,684  
Provision for loan losses
    2,000       -       -       -       2,000  
Non-interest income
    4,232       2,331       3,678       (3,678 )     6,563  
Non-interest expense
    17,558       2,323       212       1       20,094  
Income before income taxes
    4,571       8       3,253       (3,679 )     4,153  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    866       5       (172 )     -       699  
Net income
  $ 3,705     $ 3     $ 3,425     $ (3,679 )   $ 3,454  
                                         
Average assets (in millions)
  $ 2,724     $ 33     $ 360     $ (349 )   $ 2,768  
                                         
Nine months ended September 30, 2011
                                       
Net interest income (expense)
  $ 76,017     $ -     $ (631 )   $ (1 )   $ 75,385  
Provision for loan losses
    5,300       -       -       -       5,300  
Non-interest income
    18,035       8,938       7,068       (7,068 )     26,973  
Non-interest expense
    76,893       6,598       3,031       -       86,522  
Income before income taxes
    11,859       2,340       3,406       (7,069 )     10,536  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1,968       958       (1,494 )     -       1,432  
Net income
  $ 9,891     $ 1,382     $ 4,900     $ (7,069 )   $ 9,104  
                                         
Average assets (in millions)
  $ 3,281     $ 32     $ 413     $ (411 )   $ 3,315  
                                         
Nine months ended September 30, 2010
                                       
Net interest income (expense)
  $ 57,495     $ -     $ (643 )   $ -     $ 56,852  
Provision for loan losses
    6,526       -       -       -       6,526  
Non-interest income
    13,292       9,028       11,012       (11,012 )     22,320  
Non-interest expense
    52,601       6,933       778       2       60,314  
Income before income taxes
    11,660       2,095       9,591       (11,014 )     12,332  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    1,822       860       (579 )     1       2,104  
Net income
  $ 9,838     $ 1,235     $ 10,170     $ (11,015 )   $ 10,228  
                                         
Average assets (in millions)
  $ 2,667     $ 32     $ 362     $ (350 )   $ 2,711  
 
 
34

 

13.  
DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES
 
As of September 30, 2011, the Company held derivatives with a total notional amount of $624 million. Of this total, interest rate swaps with a combined notional amount of $200 million were designated as cash flow hedges and $333 million have been designated as economic hedges.  The remaining $91 million notional amount represents commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale and commitments to sell residential mortgage loans, which are also accounted for as derivative financial instruments. At September 30, 2011, no derivatives were designated as hedges of net investments in foreign operations.  Additionally, the Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

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 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, 2011.

The Company pledged collateral to derivative counterparties in the form of cash totaling $1.6 million and securities with an amortized cost of $36.4 million and a fair value of $37.6 million as of September 30, 2011. The Company does not typically require its Commercial customers to post cash or securities collateral on its program of back-to-back economic hedges, however certain language is written into the 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 derivate 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 interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities at September 30, 2011, follows:

         
Weighted
               
Estimated
 
    
Notional
   
Average
   
Weighted Average Rate
   
Fair Value
 
    
Amount
   
Maturity
   
Received
   
Paid
   
Asset (Liability)
 
    
(In thousands)
   
(In years)
               
(In thousands)
 
Cash flow hedges:
                             
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings
  $ 105,000       1.9       0.29 %     4.00 %   $ (7,081 )
Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings
    80,000       3.8       -       2.56       (1,805 )
Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated debentures
    15,000       2.6       2.15       5.54       (1,204 )
Total cash flow hedges
    200,000                               (10,090 )
                                         
Economic hedges:
                                       
Interest rate swap on industrial revenue bond
    14,214       18.2       0.59       5.09       (3,473 )
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers
    159,444       5.9       2.67       5.58       (14,447 )
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers
    159,444       5.9       5.58       2.67       14,015  
Total economic hedges
    333,102                               (3,905 )
                                         
Non-hedging derivatives:
                                       
Commitments to originate residential mortgage loans to be sold
    45,358       0.2                       (182 )
Commitments to sell residential mortgage loans
    45,358       0.2                       182  
Total non-hedging derivatives
    90,716                               -  
                                         
Total
  $ 623,818                             $ (13,995 )

 
35

 
 
Information about interest rate swap agreements and non-hedging derivative assets and liabilities at December 31, 2010, follows:

         
Weighted
               
Estimated
 
   
Notional
   
Average
   
Weighted Average Rate
   
Fair Value
 
   
Amount
   
Maturity
   
Received
   
Paid
   
Asset (Liability)
 
   
(In thousands)
   
(In years)
               
(In thousands)
 
Cash flow hedges:
                             
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings
  $ 105,000       2.7       0.29 %     4.00 %   $ (7,696 )
Forward-starting interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings
    40,000       2.8       -       3.13       (468 )
Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated debentures
    15,000       3.4       2.13       5.54       (1,142 )
Total cash flow hedges
    160,000                               (9,306 )
                                         
Economic hedges:
                                       
Interest rate swap on tax advantaged economic development bond
    14,559       18.9       0.63       5.09       (1,757 )
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers
    137,295       6.5       2.93       6.04       (7,374 )
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers
    137,295       6.5       6.04       2.93       7,406  
Total economic hedges
    289,149                               (1,725 )
                                         
Non-hedging derivatives:
                                       
Commitments to originate residential mortgage loans
    13,172       0.2                       (280 )
Commitments to sell residential mortgage loans
    13,172       0.2                       267  
Total non-hedging derivatives
    26,344                               (13 )
                                         
Total
  $ 475,493                             $ (11,044 )

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 forecasted transaction affects 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 several interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $105 million to convert the LIBOR based floating interest rates on a $105 million portfolio of FHLBB advances to fixed rates, with the objective of fixing the Company’s monthly interest expense on these borrowings.  In the third quarter of 2010, the Company terminated $40 million notional amount of interest rate swaps that were used to convert floating based FHLBB advances to a fixed rate.  The Company has retained the floating rate advances and fully anticipates holding these advances until maturity.  Net gains and losses for terminated cash flow hedges remain in accumulated other comprehensive income and are amortized into earnings in the same period or periods during which the originally hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.  Management’s decision to terminate the swaps was based on its assessment that these hedges were no longer needed to execute management’s balance sheet management strategy.

The Company has also entered into eight forward-starting interest rate swaps each with a notional value of $80 million, including $40 million of swaps which were entered into in the third quarter of 2011 nd which have durations exceeding one year. These swaps become effective in sets of two at a time with the first set becoming effective in April 2012, the second in June 2012, the third in January 2013 and the final set becoming effective in April 2013.  Four of these swaps have a one year duration while two have a four year duration and the remaining two swaps have a five year duration. This hedge strategy converts the LIBOR based rate of interest on certain FHLB advances to fixed interest rates, thereby protecting the Company from floating interest rate variability.

The Company has entered into an interest rate swap with a notional value of $15 million to convert the floating rate of interest on its junior subordinated debentures to a fixed rate of interest. The purpose of the hedge was to protect the Company from the risk of variability arising from the floating rate interest on the debentures.

Amounts included in the Consolidated Statements of Income and in the other comprehensive income section of the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity related to interest rate derivatives designated as hedges of cash flows, were as follows:

 
36

 

   
Three Months Ended September 30,
   
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
(In thousands)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Interest rate swaps on FHLBB borrowings:
                       
Unrealized loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
  $ (987 )   $ (1,794 )   $ (544 )   $ (7,098 )
                                 
Elimination of unrealized loss for termination of swaps
    -       5,448       -       5,448  
                                 
Realized gain (loss) recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss for termination of swaps
    235       (6,382 )     706       (6,382 )
                                 
Reclassification of realized loss from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense for termination of swaps
    11       84       31       84  
                                 
Reclassification of realized gain from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other non-interest income for termination of swaps
    (98 )     -       (293 )     -  
                                 
Net tax benefit (expense) on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    407       (1,236 )     210       2,545  
                                 
Interest rate swaps on junior subordinated debentures:
                               
Unrealized loss recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (65 )     (287 )     (62 )     (769 )
                                 
Net tax benefit on items recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    27       490       24       319  
Other comprehensive (loss) income recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of reclassification adjustments and tax effects
  $ (470 )   $ (3,677 )   $ 72     $ (5,853 )
                                 
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on hedged FHLBB borrowings
  $ 1,239     $ 1,281     $ 3,663     $ 4,102  
                                 
Net interest expense recognized in interest expense on junior subordinated debentures
  $ 131     $ 125     $ 386     $ 380  

The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $5.5 million at September 30, 2011. Of this loss, $15.2 million was attributable to accumulated losses on cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax benefits of $6.3 million, and $5.3 million was attributable to accumulated gains on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred tax expenses of $1.9 million.

The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss totaled $6.4 million at December 31, 2010. Of this loss, $15.3 million was attributable to accumulated losses on cash flow hedges, net of deferred tax benefits of $6.4 million, and $4.0 million was attributable to accumulated gains on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred tax expenses of $1.5 million.

Hedge ineffectiveness on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges was immaterial to the Company’s financial statements during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.  The Company does not anticipate material events or transactions within the next twelve months that are likely to result in a reclassification of unrealized gains or losses from accumulated other comprehensive loss to earnings.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss 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 estimates that $5.0 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

Economic hedges and non-hedging derivatives

The Company has an interest rate swap with a $14.2 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.
 
 
37

 
 
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 $432 thousand as of September 30, 2011 and were not material to the financial statements.  The interest income and expense on these mirror image swaps exactly offset each other.

The Company enters into commitments with certain of its retail customers to originate fixed rate mortgage loans and simultaneously enters into an agreement to sell these fixed rate mortgage loans to the Federal National Mortgage Association.  These commitments are considered derivative financial instruments and are recorded at fair value with any changes in fair value recorded through earnings.

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)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
Economic hedges
                       
Interest rate swap on industrial revenue bond:
                       
                                 
Net interest expense recognized in interest and dividend income on securities
  $ (1,812 )   $ (166 )   $ (2,137 )   $ (500 )
                                 
Unrealized (loss) gain recognized in other non-interest income
    -       (614 )     (69 )     (1,908 )
                                 
Interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
                               
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
    6,133       3,081       7,073       9,659  
                                 
Reverse interest rate swaps on loans with commercial loan customers:
                               
Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income
    (6,133 )     (3,081 )     (7,073 )     (9,659 )
                                 
(Unfavorable) favorable change in credit valuation adjustment recognized in other non-interest income
  $ (281 )   $ (54 )   $ (464 )   $ (107 )
                                 
Non-hedging derivatives
                               
Commitments to originate residential mortgage loans to be sold:
                               
Unrealized loss recognized in other non-interest income
  $ (182 )   $ (54 )   $ (292 )   $ (239 )
                                 
Commitments to sell residential mortgage loans:
                               
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
  $ 182     $ 59     $ 256     $ 268  

14.            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 assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value. There were no transfers between levels during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
 
 
38

 
 
    September 30, 2011  
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Trading account security
  $ -     $ -     $ 17,501     $ 17,501  
Available-for-sale securities:
                               
Municipal bonds and obligations
    -       78,037       -       78,037  
Governmentguaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
    -       48,838       -       48,838  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
    -       223,085       -       223,085  
Corporate bonds
    -       9,632       -       9,632  
Trust preferred securities
    -       17,105       463       17,568  
Other bonds and obligations
    -       661       -       661  
Marketable equity securities
    17,725       -       -       17,725  
Derivative assets
    -       14,197       -       14,197  
Derivative liabilities
    -       28,010       182       28,192  

   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
(In thousands)
 
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Fair Value
 
                         
Trading account security
  $ -     $ -     $ 16,155     $ 16,155  
Available-for-sale securities:
                               
Municipal bonds and obligations
    -       79,906       -       79,906  
Government guaranteed residential mortgage-backed securities
    -       26,164       -       26,164  
Government-sponsored residential mortgage-backed securities
    -       146,719       -       146,719  
Corporate bonds
    -       18,290       -       18,290  
Trust preferred securities
    -       19,637       218       19,855  
Other bonds and obligations
    -       403       -       403  
Marketable equity securities
    17,428       -       1,477       18,905  
Derivative assets
    -       7,673       -       7,673  
Derivative liabilities
    -       18,717       -       18,717  

Trading Security at Fair Value. The Company holds one security designated as a trading security. It is a tax advantaged economic development bond issued by the Company to a local nonprofit organization 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.

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. The Company holds one pooled trust preferred security. The security’s fair value is based on unobservable issuer-provided financial information and discounted cash flow models derived from the underlying structured pool and therefore is classified as Level 3.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities. 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.
 
 
39

 
 
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, 2011, 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.

The Company enters into various commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale and commitments to sell residential mortgage loans. Such commitments are considered to be derivative financial instruments and are carried at estimated fair value on the consolidated balance sheets.

The estimated fair value of commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale is adjusted to reflect estimates for fall-out rates, associated servicing and origination costs. These assumptions are considered significant unobservable inputs resulting in a Level 3 classification. As of September 30, 2011, liabilities derived from commitments to originate residential mortgage loans for sale totaled $182 thousand. The estimated fair values of commitments to sell residential mortgage loans were calculated by reference to prices quoted by the Federal National Mortgage Association in secondary markets. These valuations result in a Level 2 classification. As of September 30, 2011, assets derived from commitments to sell residential mortgage loans totaled $182 thousand.
 
 
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The table below presents the changes in Level 3 assets that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2011 and 2010.

   
Assets
 
   
Trading
   
Securities
 
   
Account
   
Available
 
(In thousands)
 
Security
   
for Sale
 
             
Balance as of December 31, 2010
  $ 16,155     $ 1,695  
                 
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
    (257 )     -  
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    -       498  
Amortization of trading account security
    (117 )        
Balance as of March 31, 2011
  $ 15,781     $ 2,193  
                 
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in other non-interest income
    357       -  
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    -       112  
Amortization of trading account security
    (114 )        
Transfer Out of Level 3
    -       (1,624 )
Balance as of June 30, 2011
  $ 16,024     $ 681  
                 
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
    1,592       -  
Unrealized gain (loss) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    -       (218 )
Amortization of trading account security
    (115 )     -  
Balance as of September 30, 2011
  $ 17,501     $ 463  
                 
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30, 2011
  $ 3,287     $ (2,136 )

   
Assets
 
   
Trading
   
Securities
 
   
Account
   
Available
 
(In thousands)
 
Security
   
for Sale
 
             
Balance as of December 31, 2009
  $ 15,880     $ 2,016  
                 
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
    46       -  
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    -       267  
Amortization of trading account security
    (110 )        
Balance as of March 31, 2010
  $ 15,816     $ 2,283  
                 
Unrealized gain (loss) recognized in other non-interest income
    1,206       -  
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    -       348  
Amortization of trading account security
    (108 )        
Balance as of June 30, 2010
  $ 16,914     $ 2,631  
                 
Unrealized gain recognized in other non-interest income
    593       -  
Unrealized gain included in accumulated other comprehensive loss
    -       36  
Amortization of trading account security
    (109 )        
Balance as of September 30, 2010
  $ 17,398     $ 2,667  
                 
Unrealized gains (losses) relating to instruments still held at September 30, 2010
  $ 2,725     $ (1,475 )
 
 
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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, 2011
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
(In thousands)
 
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Assets
                 
Securities held to maturity
  $ -     $ -     $ 60,224  
Resticted equity securities
    -       -       37,148  
Impaired loans
    -       -       7,821  
Loans held for sale
    -       -       475  
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights
    -       -       2,958  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       2,200  
Other intangibles
    -       -       22,288  
Goodwill
    -       -       202,100  
                         
Total Assets
  $ -     $ -     $ 335,214  

   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
(In thousands)
 
Inputs
   
Inputs
   
Inputs
 
Assets
                 
Securities held to maturity
  $ -     $ -       57,594  
Resticted equity securities
    -       -       23,120  
Impaired loans
    -       -       4,960  
Loans held for sale
    -       -       1,043  
Capitalized mortgage servicing rights
    -       -       2,035  
Other real estate owned
    -       -       3,386  
Other intangibles
    -       -       11,354  
Goodwill
    -       -       161,725  
                         
Total Assets
  $ -     $ -     $ 265,217  

Securities held to maturity. Held to maturity securities are recorded at amortized cost and are evaluated periodically for impairment. No impairments were recorded on securities held to maturity for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. Held for maturity securities are fair valued using the same methodologies applied to the available for sales securities portfolio.  Most securities in the held to maturity portfolio consist of economic development bonds and issues to local municipalities that are not actively traded and are priced using a discounted cash flows model.  The Company views these as Level 3 pricing.
 
 
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Restricted equity securities. The Company’s restricted equity securities balance is primarily composed of FHLBB stock having a carrying value of $32.0 million as of September 30, 2011.  The additional $5.1 million of securities in this section include Savings Bank Life Insurance stock and stock in the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.  Restricted equity securities are recorded at par and periodically evaluated for impairment.  The FHLBB is a cooperative that provides services to its member banking institutions. The primary reason for joining the FHLBB was to obtain funding from the FHLBB and the purchase of stock in the FHLBB is a requirement for a member to gain access to funding. The Company purchases FHLBB stock proportional to the volume of funding received and views the purchases as a necessary long-term investment for the purposes of balance sheet liquidity and not for investment return.

The FHLBB reported positive net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and has reinstated its dividend payment in the second quarter of 2011. The Company also reviewed recent public filings, rating agency’s analysis which showed investment-grade ratings, capital position which exceeds all required capital levels, and other factors. As a result of the Company’s review for OTTI, management deemed the investment in the FHLBB stock not to be OTTI at September 30, 2011. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of management’s future evaluation of the Company’s investment in the FHLBB and it will continue to be monitored closely.

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, real estate collateral related nonrecurring fair value measurement adjustments have generally been classified as Level 3. Estimates of fair value used for other collateral supporting commercial loans generally are based on assumptions not observable in the marketplace and therefore such valuations have been classified as Level 3.

Loans held for sale. Loans originated and held for sale are carried at the lower of aggregate cost or market value. No fair value adjustments were recorded on loans held for sale during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company holds loans in the held for sale category for a period generally less than 3 months and as a result fair value approximates carrying value.

Capitalized mortgage 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 are expected to more than adequately compensate the Company 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. OREO fair values are primarily determined based on Level 3 data including sales comparables and appraisals.

Intangibles and Goodwill. The Company’s other intangible assets totaled $22.2 million and $11.4 million as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively. Other intangibles include core deposit intangibles, insurance customer relationships, and non-compete agreements assumed by the Company as part of historical acquisitions.  Other intangibles are initially recorded at fair value based on Level 3 data, such as internal appraisals and customized discounted criteria, and are amortized over their estimated lives on a straight-line or accelerated basis ranging from five to ten years.  No impairment was recorded on other intangible assets during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
 
 
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The Company’s Goodwill balance as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $202.1 million and $161.7 million, respectively. The Company tests goodwill impairment annually in the fourth quarter or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that impairment is possible. No impairment was recorded by the Company during the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.

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, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Carrying
   
Fair
   
Carrying
   
Fair
 
(In thousands)
 
Amount
   
Value
   
Amount
   
Value
 
                         
Financial Assets
                       
                         
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 40,070     $ 40,070     $ 44,140     $ 44,140  
Trading security
    17,501       17,501       16,155       16,155  
Securities available for sale
    395,546       395,546       310,242       310,242  
Securities held to maturity
    58,262       60,224       56,436       57,594  
Restricted equity securities
    37,148       37,148       23,120       23,120  
Net loans
    2,954,560       2,955,967       2,110,264       2,051,829  
Loans held for sale
    475       475       1,043       1,043  
Accrued interest receivable
    11,985       11,985       8,769       8,769  
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance policies
    74,381       74,381       46,085       46,085  
Derivative assets
    14,197       14,197       7,673       7,673  
                                 
Financial Liabilities
                               
                                 
Total deposits
  $ 3,038,346     $ 3,055,309     $ 2,204,441     $ 2,215,307  
Short-term debt
    -       -       47,030       47,030  
Long-term Federal Home Loan Bank advances
    221,996       226,397       197,807       200,746  
Junior subordinated debentures
    15,464       9,711       15,464       9,742  
Derivative liabilities
    28,192       28,192       18,717       18,717  
 
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.

Restricted equity 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.
 
 
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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.

Junior subordinated debentures. 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.
 
15.           SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 
On October 21, 2011, the Company completed its divestiture of four former Legacy Banks Massachusetts bank branches in Berkshire County to NBT Bank, NA (“NBT”), a subsidiary of NBT Bancorp Inc., pursuant to a Purchase and Assumption Agreement entered into on July 13, 2011 (the “Branch Sale”).  Following the settlement of the Branch Sale, additional merger consideration will be paid to former Legacy stockholders in accordance with the Agreement and Plan of Merger between Berkshire and Legacy dated December 21, 2010.

On October 25, 2011, Berkshire Bank entered into a Purchase and Assumption Agreement with NBT Bank to sell approximately $57 million of deposits for a 2.5% deposit premium along with $1.6 million of loans and certain branch facilities of four former Legacy Banks branches located in Greene and Schoharie Counties, New York.  This transaction remains subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.  Berkshire Bank expects to complete this transaction in the first quarter of 2012.  This agreement had no significant effect on the Company’s financial statements for the periods presented.

In addition, on October 25, 2011, the Company and the Bank entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with The Connecticut Bank & Trust Company (“CBT”) pursuant to which CBT will merge with and into Berkshire Bank. The transaction is valued at approximately $30 million.

Under the terms of the Merger Agreement, 70% of the outstanding shares of CBT common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.3810 of a share of Berkshire common stock for each share of CBT common stock and the remaining 30% of outstanding shares of CBT common stock will be exchanged for $8.25 in cash.  The transaction is valued at $7.90 per CBT share based on Berkshire’s average closing stock price of $20.35 for the ten trading days ended October 21, 2011.  CBT stockholders will have the right to elect to receive cash or Berkshire common stock as outlined above, subject to 70% of CBT common stock receiving Berkshire common stock in accordance with the proration and allocation procedures contained in the Merger Agreement.

The Merger Agreement also provides that, prior to the consummation of the merger, Berkshire will fund the repurchase from the United States Department of Treasury (“Treasury”) of each share of Fixed Rate Non-Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, of CBT (the “TARP Preferred Stock”) issued and outstanding on that date.  In addition, Berkshire may, but is not required to, purchase the outstanding warrant issued to the Treasury (the “TARP Warrant”) to purchase CBT common stock.  If Berkshire does not purchase the TARP Warrant, such warrant will be converted at the effective time of the merger into a warrant to purchase Berkshire common stock, subject to appropriate adjustments in accordance with its terms.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals, the repurchase of the TARP Preferred Stock and approval by the stockholders of CBT. The merger is currently expected to be completed early in the second quarter of 2012.

The directors and executive officers of CBT have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement at the stockholders’ meeting to be held to vote on the proposed transaction. One member of the CBT Board will be appointed to Berkshire’s Board of Directors in accordance with the Merger Agreement. If the merger is not consummated under certain circumstances, CBT has agreed to pay Berkshire a termination fee of $1.44 million.
 
 
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This merger agreement had no significant 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


OVERVIEW

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 2010 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 2011 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 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 41.5% effective income tax rate.  This discussion sometimes refers to recurring income and expense, as well as profitability measures based on recurring income and expense.  Recurring income and expense are non-GAAP financial measures and are computed by netting non-recurring income and expense from GAAP income and expense.  Recurring net income is also a non-GAAP financial measure, and is computed by adjusting GAAP net income to exclude non-recurring expense and non-recurring income (net of a related income tax expense adjustment).  In 2011, as noted in the discussion below, Berkshire acquired two other financial institutions and incurred $16 million in non-recurring expense and $2 million in non-recurring income, most of which was related to the transaction costs of completing these mergers.  These items significantly affected current period operating results, as the Company generally anticipated, and were incurred by Berkshire in order to benefit long term financial results.  Management believes it is useful to consider profitability both on a GAAP basis and on this non-GAAP basis in order to discuss and analyze financial condition and results of operations.  Management believes that analysts of its industry also commonly consider these non-GAAP measures in evaluating the Company’s financial statements since there is interest in the company’s recurring income as a source of financial strength for investors. This discussion also includes reference to organic growth of loans and deposits. Organic growth is a non-GAAP financial measure which adjusts total growth to exclude the impact of balances acquired in bank acquisitions and balances related to discontinued operations. Bank acquisitions generally produce significant increases in loans and deposits, and by also considering organic growth, management and investors can assess the changes in loans and deposits that are not the result of purchase accounting and divestiture impacts.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (“the Company” or “Berkshire”) is headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. It had $4.1 billion in assets at September 30, 2011 and is the parent of Berkshire Bank — America’s Most Exciting BankSM (“the Bank”).  Berkshire completed the acquisition of Rome Bancorp, Inc. with $0.3 billion in assets on April 1, 2011.  Berkshire acquired Legacy Bancorp, Inc. with $0.9 billion in assets on July 21, 2011.  Including the Legacy operations, Berkshire provides personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services through more than 60 full service branch offices in western Massachusetts, northeastern New York, and southern Vermont.  On October 25, 2011, Berkshire entered into a definitive agreement to acquire The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company (“CBT), which has $0.3 billion in assets and operates 8 branches in the Greater Hartford, Connecticut area.  This acquisition is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2012, subject to conditions set forth in the merger agreement.  Berkshire Bank provides 100% deposit insurance protection on all deposit accounts, regardless of amount, based on a combination of FDIC insurance and membership in the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601.

Berkshire is a regional financial services company that seeks to distinguish itself 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 BankSM
 
Diversified integrated financial service revenues
 
Positioned to be regional consolidator in attractive markets

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.
 
 
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Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the filings made by Berkshire with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Berkshire Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010 and the definitive Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form S-4 filed by Berkshire with the SEC on February 2, 2011 for the Rome acquisition and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus on Form S-4 filed by Berkshire with the SEC on May 6, 2011 for the Legacy acquisition.

This document also may contain forward-looking statements about the proposed merger of Berkshire and CBT. Certain factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include delays in completing the merger, difficulties in achieving cost savings from the merger or in achieving such cost savings within the expected time frame, difficulties in integrating Berkshire and CBT, 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 and CBT are engaged, changes in the securities markets and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that Berkshire files with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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. 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 these 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.

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

The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.   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.

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.  Management believes that the following policies would be considered critical under the SEC’s definition:

Allowance for Loan Losses. The allowance for loan losses is the Company’s estimate of probable credit losses that are inherent in the loan portfolio at the financial statement date.  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 us the Company to increase provisions for loan losses, which would negatively impact earnings.
 
 
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Acquired Loans.  Due to the bank acquisitions in 2011, the Company added a significant accounting policy related to acquired loans.  This policy addresses the estimates made to record loans at fair value, with no carryover of the related allowance for credit losses.  Please see the further discussion of this new significant accounting policy in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements.

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 asset and liabilities.  The realization of the net deferred tax asset generally depends upon future levels of taxable 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, based upon approved business plans, including a review of the eligible carryforward periods, tax planning opportunities and other relevant considerations. These underlying assumptions can change from period to period. For example, tax law changes or variances in future projected operating performance could result in a change in 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 our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance would be charged to income tax expense in the period such determination was 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.   There have been no such events or changes in circumstance since the Company’s most recent report on Form 10-K.  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 market multiples analyses.  These types of analyses contain uncertainties because they require management to make assumptions and 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 depreciation is recognized as OTTI through earnings.  Credit-related OTTI for all other impaired debt securities is recognized through earnings. Non-credit 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.  Additionally, 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.
 
 
49

 
 
For additional information regarding critical accounting policies, refer to Note 1 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies in the notes to consolidated financial statements and the sections captioned “Critical Accounting Policies” and “Loan Loss Allowance” in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the 2010 Form 10-K. Aside from the addition of the policy on acquired loans, there have been no significant changes in the Company’s application of critical accounting policies since year-end 2010. Please refer to the note on Recent Accounting Pronouncements in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of this report for a detailed discussion of new accounting pronouncements.  Please see the note on Significant Accounting Policies in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements of this report for a discussion of policies that have been refined or added in 2011.
 
 
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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 Form 10-Q.
 
   
At or for the Three Months Ended
   
At or for the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
                         
PERFORMANCE RATIOS (1)
                       
Return on average assets
    0.45 %     0.49 %     0.36 %     0.50 %
Return on average common equity
    3.31       3.53       2.62       3.49  
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent
    3.74       3.30       3.52       3.26  
                                 
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS
                               
Net charge-offs (current quarter annualized)/average loans
    0.27 %     0.40 %     0.27 %     0.43 %
Non-performing assets/total assets
    0.58       0.69       0.55       0.69  
Allowance for loan losses/total loans
    1.07       1.55       1.29       1.55  
Allowance for loan losses/non-accruing loans
    148       194       148       194  
                                 
CAPITAL RATIOS
                               
Stockholders' equity to total assets
    13.38 %     13.68 %     13.57 %     13.68 %
                                 
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
                               
Net earnings, diluted
  $ 0.22     $ 0.25     $ 0.54     $ 0.73  
Total common book value
    25.87       27.28       26.72       27.28  
Dividends
    0.16       0.16       0.48       0.48  
Common stock price:
                               
High
    24.14       20.94       24.14       22.84  
Low
    17.11       17.08       17.11       16.20  
Close
    18.47       18.96       18.47       18.96  
                                 
FINANCIAL DATA: (In millions)
                               
Total assets
  $ 4,087     $ 2,798     $ 4,087     $ 2,798  
Total loans
    3,003       2,054       3,003       2,054  
Allowance for loan losses
    32       32       32       32  
Other earning assets
    603       428       603       428  
Total intangible assets
    233       174       233       174  
Total deposits
    3,249       2,069       3,249       2,069  
Total borrowings and debentures
    237       309       237       309  
Total common stockholders' equity
    547       383       547       383  
                                 
FOR THE PERIOD: (In thousands)
                               
Net interest income
  $ 31,551     $ 19,684     $ 75,898     $ 56,852  
Provision for loan losses
    2,200       2,000       5,300       6,526  
Non-interest income
    10,766       6,915       27,070       23,376  
Non-interest expense
    35,320       20,094       87,132       60,314  
Net income
    4,392       3,424       9,104       10,168  
 

(1) All performance ratios are annualized and are based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.
(2) The above schedule includes balances associated with discontinued operations.
 
 
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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,
 
($ In millions)
 
2011
   
2010
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
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:
                                               
Residential mortgages
  $ 1,005       4.82 %   $ 634       5.17 %   $ 819       4.95 %   $ 628       5.25 %
Commercial mortgages
    1,141       5.44       891       4.74       1,015       4.95       875       4.88  
Commercial business loans
    383       4.78       213       5.86       333       4.78       188       5.24  
Consumer loans
    377       4.17       297       3.83       323       3.92       304       3.93  
Total loans
    2,905       4.97       2,035       4.86       2,490       4.79       1,995       4.89  
Securities
    474       3.53       403       4.19       428       3.87       407       4.11  
Fed funds sold & short-term investments
    34       0.03       14       0.15       17       0.11       11       0.15  
Total earning assets
    3,414       4.72       2,452       4.72       2,935       4.63       2,413       4.74  
Other assets
    456               316               385               309          
Total assets
  $ 3,870             $ 2,768             $ 3,320             $ 2,722          
                                                                 
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
                                                               
Deposits:
                                                               
NOW
  $ 257       0.49 %   $ 195       0.32 %   $ 234       0.38 %   $ 196       0.35 %
Money market
    853       0.66       612       0.87       792       0.70       585       0.96  
Savings
    476       0.18       220       0.22       343       0.25       221       0.27  
Time
    1,030       1.67       749       2.59       859       1.95       752       2.66  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    2,616       0.95       1,776       1.45       2,228       1.08       1,753       1.53  
Borrowings and debentures
    253       3.34       288       3.12       251       3.35       279       3.28  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    2,869       1.16       2,065       1.69       2,479       1.31       2,032       1.77  
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
    432               281               353               275          
Other liabilities
    38               34               30               28          
Total liabilities
    3,339               2,380               2,862               2,334          
                                                                 
Total stockholders' equity
    531               388               458               388          
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 3,870             $ 2,768             $ 3,320             $ 2,722          
                                                                 
Net interest spread
            3.56 %             3.03 %             3.32 %             2.97 %
Net interest margin
            3.74               3.30               3.52               3.26  
Cost of funds
            1.01               1.48               1.15               1.56  
Cost of deposits
            0.82               1.26               0.93               1.32  
                                                                 
Supplementary data
                                                               
Total deposits (In millions)
  $ 3,048             $ 2,057             $ 2,582             $ 2,028          
Fully taxable equivalent income adj. (In thousands)
  $ 673             $ 709             $ 2,027             $ 2,048          

 

 (1) The average balances of loans include nonaccrual loans, loans held for sale, and deferred fees and costs.
(2) The average balance for securities available for sale is based on amortized cost.
(3) The above schedule includes balances associated with discontinued operations.
 
 
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SUMMARY

Berkshire’s third quarter 2011 net income was $4.4 million ($0.22 per share).  On July 21, 2011, Berkshire acquired Legacy and third quarter results included 72 days of Legacy operations, along with the impact of shares issued in this merger.  Third quarter results also included $7.1 million in net non-recurring income and expense primarily related to the Legacy merger.  Before these non-recurring items (and the related $2.9 million tax expense adjustment), Berkshire’s adjusted net income was $8.6 million ($0.43 per share), which was a 72% increase over net income of $0.25 per share in the third quarter of 2010.  About half of this growth is estimated to result from positive operating leverage related to organic revenue growth and disciplined expense management.  About half of the growth is estimated to be related to the accretive benefit of the Rome and Legacy mergers.  Outstanding shares at September 30, 2011 totaled 21.1 million, increasing from 14.1 million at year-end 2010 due to the issuance of common shares as consideration for the Rome and Legacy acquisitions.

Berkshire is retaining targeted business volumes with the acquired franchises.  The Company is within its targets for non-recurring expenses related to these initiatives.   In October, Berkshire entered an agreement to acquire CBT - The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, which provides entry into an important contiguous market, as well as opportunity for continued recurring earnings growth.  Along with Berkshire’s focus on merger integration, the Company continues to post organic growth in targeted business lines and continues to see strong growth in its de novo New York operations, with ongoing net interest margin expansion.  Reflecting its success with these multiple business initiatives and its positive outlook, after quarter-end, Berkshire announced that it is increasing its quarterly cash dividend by 6% to $0.17 per share from $0.16.

Berkshire is focused on balancing growth with careful attention to its overall operations and infrastructure improvement.  On October 21, 2011, the Company completed the divestiture of four Legacy Berkshire County branches in accordance with its merger agreement.  Additionally, in October, Berkshire entered into a new agreement to divest four Legacy New York branches, which is expected to  enhance the Company’s future profitability.  Berkshire recently announced an agreement to convert to a new core banking system, which is expected to expand its products and services, improve its efficiency, and enhance its scalability for future merger integrations.  Asset performance remains favorable and Berkshire is ahead of its plans for resolving acquired Rome and Legacy problem assets.  Berkshire remains well capitalized and the Company is replenishing the dilution to tangible book value per share through current period earnings.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

In order to minimize potential anti-competitive effects of the Legacy acquisition, Berkshire agreed to sell four Legacy Berkshire branches in conjunction with the Legacy merger agreement.  These branches are designated as discontinued operations in Berkshire’s consolidated financial statements.  At quarter-end, they had deposits totaling $152 million and were under contract for sale.  Berkshire continued to operate these branches until the divestiture was completed on October 21, 2011.  Subject to final settlement which will be recorded in the fourth quarter, Berkshire will receive a 6% deposit premium on these branches and will pay a related divestiture dividend to former Legacy shareholders for a portion of these proceeds pursuant to the Legacy merger agreement.
 
 
53

 
 
Additionally, Berkshire made a separate determination to sell four former Legacy New York branches that were not within its financial performance objectives.  These branches are also designated as discontinued operations in Berkshire’s financial statements, and the related deposits totaled $58 million at quarter-end.  Berkshire has entered into an agreement to divest these branches for a 2.5% deposit premium, and plans to complete the divestiture in the first quarter of 2012.

These eight branches collectively constituted discontinued operations as of September 30, 2011 and were being operated by Berkshire pending completion of their sale.  Net income related to these branches has been classified separately in the statement of income.  These eight branches operated with a total net loss of $5 thousand in the third quarter, and the divestiture of these operations (including certain loans and fixed assets) is not expected to have a significant effect on ongoing recurring earnings.

COMPARISON OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AT SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND DECEMBER 31, 2010

Summary: Total assets increased to $4.1 billion from $2.9 billion, primarily due to the addition of $0.3 billion in Rome assets and $0.9 billion in Legacy assets.  Asset quality, liquidity, and capital metrics remained favorable.  Total equity increased by $158 million during the nine months, including $55 million in equity consideration issued for Rome and $102 million issued for Legacy consideration.  Including discontinued operations, total intangible assets increased by $60 million primarily due to merger related goodwill and core deposit intangibles.  In total, deposit growth was in balance with loan growth and the ratio of loans/deposits remained stable at 97%.  Along with the increase in equity, there was an increase in short and long term investments and a decrease in borrowings.

Securities:  Total investment securities increased by $103 million to $508 million for the year-to-date including $53 million added from Legacy.  Most of this increase was in government guaranteed and government-sponsored mortgage backed securities purchased and acquired with Legacy.  The net unrealized gain on securities was 1.4% of the total securities balance at September 30, 2011, which was little changed from 1.3% from the beginning of the year.  The annualized securities yield declined to 3.53% in the most recent quarter from 4.19% in the prior year third quarter due to the impact of the lower interest rate environment.  Similarly, the nine month yield declined to 3.87% in 2011 from 4.11% in 2010.  Berkshire recorded $2.1 million in non-recurring income for 2011 year-to-date primarily due to merger related appreciation of the price of its holdings of Rome and Legacy shares which had been acquired as part of Berkshire’s ongoing equity securities investment strategy, which is focused on shares of financial institutions in New York and New England.  There were no material credit rating downgrades of securities in the portfolio for the year-to-date.  The Company has one investment in a pooled trust preferred security with a $2.6 million book value and a $0.5 million fair value at period-end.  This security was performing and the impairment was viewed as temporary; this security is described more fully in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  Gross unrealized losses on the $18 million equity security portfolio increased to 8% of cost at period-end due to lower market prices for bank equity securities in the third quarter.

Loans.  Total loans increased by $812 million (38%) to $2.95 billion as of September 30, 2011.  This included $258 million in acquired Rome loans and $566 million in acquired Legacy loans and excluded $48 million in loans related to discontinued operations.  Excluding the $776 million net total of these items, total organic nine month loan growth was $36 million (2% annualized). This included continued growth of the asset based lending portfolio, which increased by $53 million to $151 million at period-end.  Berkshire continues to take commercial market share from national competitors as a result of the capabilities and responsiveness of the commercial banking teams that it has recruited in recent years.  Berkshire is adhering to strong underwriting and pricing disciplines as it captures larger market share with high grade loan originations.  While loan demand moderated in the third quarter due to softening economic conditions, Berkshire is actively pursuing its targeted strategy for commercial loan growth.  As a result of organic and merger activity, the residential mortgage portfolio increased to 35% of total loans from 30%.
 
 
54

 
 
Loans acquired as a result of the bank mergers were generally in-market conforming loans, and included $279 million in commercial loans, $374 million in residential mortgages, and $123 million in consumer loans.  The acquired loans were recorded at estimated net fair value.  Rome’s commercial loans are primarily small business loans to area borrowers.  Legacy’s commercial loans are primarily to entities in and around its footprint, and also included approximately $79 million in fair value of national commercial real estate loan balances under a longstanding program targeted to provide portfolio diversity.  This portfolio includes about $30 million in loans within Berkshire’s overall lending footprint, and approximately $49 million in other regions, generally in the eastern U.S.  This portfolio is performing with minimal delinquencies.
 
Based on its review under its policy for accounting for acquired loans, non-performing acquired loans were designated as performing on Berkshire’s books on the acquisition date.  Berkshire conducted thorough pre-merger due diligence on these acquired portfolios.  One Rome commercial relationship totaling about $2.8 million became nonperforming after acquisition.  Third quarter 2011 net interest income included credits related to early payouts of certain discounted acquired balances.

Yields have generally been declining sequentially for most loan categories during the last year due to the impact of run-off and of the ongoing low interest rate environment on originations.  Berkshire continues to favor an asset sensitive interest rate risk profile, and seeks to minimize the retention of long term fixed rate loans.  A portion of fixed rate residential mortgage originations is sold in the secondary market, and interest rate swaps are used to provide fixed rate protection where it is sought by large commercial borrowers.  The total amount of swapped commercial loans increased to $159 million from $137 million in 2011 for the year-to-date.  Loan yields increased in the last two quarters as a result of the higher rates associated with the Rome small business loan portfolio and rates associated with some of the Legacy commercial real estate portfolio.  As a result, the yield on average loans strengthened to 4.97% in the third quarter of 2011 and exceeded the 4.86% loan yield in the third quarter of 2010.  This strengthening of the loan yield offset the lower securities yields discussed above, producing a 4.72% yield on earning assets, which was unchanged from the third quarter of 2010.

Asset performance metrics remained favorable at September 30, 2011.  The annualized rate of net loan charge-offs was 0.27% of average loans for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011, compared to 0.40% and 0.43% for the same periods of 2010, respectively.  Non-performing assets increased by $7 million to $24 million for the first nine months of the year, due to changes in a few loan situations.  Non-performing assets were 0.58% of total assets at period-end, compared to 0.59% at the start of the year.  Accruing delinquent loans increased to 1.02% of total loans at period-end from 0.31% at the start of the year.  This increase included delinquent balances in acquired portfolios, along with an increase in real estate related delinquencies in Berkshire’s historical portfolio.  This change resulted primarily from a small number of loan situations which were being actively managed.  The specific reserve for impaired historical loans remained unchanged at about $2.5 million during the period and Berkshire is ahead of its original plan for resolving acquired problem loans.  The total of classified historical commercial loans (substandard and doubtful) increased by $3 million (4%) over the nine month period.

Loan Loss Allowance.  Based on current accounting standards, there was no loan loss allowance established for acquired loans as of the acquisition date.  Estimated losses inherent in the acquired loans were recorded as charges against their fair value on the merger dates.  Berkshire’s loan loss allowance increased by $0.3 million in the most recent quarter to $32.2 million.  Reflecting the addition of the acquired loans, the ratio of the allowance to total loans was 1.07% at quarter-end (including balances related to discontinued operations) and the ratio of the allowance to non-performing loans was 148%.  The ratio of the allowance on historical loans to historical loans decreased slightly to 1.43% from 1.49% during the year-to-date, reflecting the overall improvement in estimated loan losses.  The allowance includes specific reserves for impaired loans, which were discussed above.  Additionally, the allowance includes a general allowance for pools of loans.  The methodology for computing the general allowance was enhanced in 2011.  This methodology includes a historical loss component and an environmental factors component.  The historical loss component is based on the attribution of loss factors based on Moody’s historical corporate default and recovery rates.  The environmental factors component assesses loss potential as it may be affected by economic business conditions, lending policies and procedures, portfolio characteristics, management and staff changes, problem loan trends, and credit concentration trends.  The historical loss and environmental factors components are assessed for fifteen homogeneous pools in the loan portfolio.
 
 
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Deposits and Borrowings. Total deposits increased by $834 million (38%) to $3.04 billion as of September 30, 2011.  This included $229 million in acquired Rome balances and $661 million in acquired Legacy balances and excluded $210 million  in deposits related to discontinued operations.  Excluding the $680 million net total of these items, total organic nine month deposit growth was $154 million (9% annualized).  This organic growth benefited particularly from demand deposit growth and money market deposit growth.  Berkshire promotes these account types, which provide more relationship cross-sale opportunities.  Growth benefited from higher commercial business balances and ongoing growth in Berkshire’s de novo New York Capital region, including a new branch opened this year in Latham.    In addition to the organic growth of historical deposit balances, targeted acquired deposit balances from Rome and Legacy have been retained.  The favorable growth in lower cost transaction balances contributed to the improvement in the cost of deposits to 0.82% in the most recent quarter.  For the first nine months of the year, the cost of deposits decreased to 0.93% from 1.32%, reflecting Berkshire’s pricing disciplines in the current low interest rate environment, along with the impacts of the acquired deposit balances.  The acquired Rome and Legacy deposits (excluding discontinued operations) included $136 million in transaction balances, $65 million in money market balances, $226 million in savings balances, $253 million in time account balances.    As a result of acquired balances and organic activity, money market balances decreased by 3% of total balances and savings balances increased by 4% of the total.

Total borrowings decreased by $23 million.  The year-to-date average cost of borrowings increased to 3.35% in 2011, compared to 3.28% in the prior year.  Borrowings included a higher proportion of lower rate overnight advances in 2010.  These advances totaled $47 million at the start of 2011 and were eliminated during the year.  Acquired borrowings were marked to market and restructured, resulting in a $24 million net increase in long term FHLBB advances.   During the most recent quarter, Berkshire entered into an additional $40 million of forward starting cash flow interest rate swaps, bringing the total to $80 million and increasing the average maturity of forward starting swaps to 3.8 years.  These swaps provide protection against future potential increases in LIBOR based long term FHLBB advances.

Stockholders’ Equity.  Total stockholders’ equity increased by $158 million including $157 million in common stock related merger consideration.  Net income of $9.1 million funded cash stock dividends totaling $8.3 million.  Berkshire issued 7.0 million new common shares as merger consideration, bringing total outstanding shares to 21.1 million at September 30, 2011.  The ratio of tangible equity/assets was 8.1% at September 30, 2011, compared to 8.0% at the beginning of the year, reflecting the accretive benefit of the acquisitions.  The ratio of equity/assets decreased slightly to 13.4% from 13.5% during this period.  Management and investors commonly consider both of these measures in evaluating the Company’s equity capital.

COMPARISON OF OPERATING RESULTS FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2011 AND 2010

Summary:  Berkshire’s results in 2011 included Rome operations acquired on April 1, 2011 and Legacy operations acquired on July 21, 2011.  As a result, most categories of revenue and expense increased due to these acquisitions.   Earnings per share were affected by the issuance of 7.0 million additional Berkshire common shares related to these acquisitions.  All references to revenue and expense in this discussion exclude discontinued operations of Legacy branches, which contributed a $5 thousand net loss in the third quarter which was viewed as immaterial to overall results.

Berkshire’s third quarter 2011 net income was $4.4 million ($0.22 per share).  Third quarter results included $7.1 million in net non-recurring expenses related to the acquisitions of Rome and Legacy and a core systems conversion.  Before these non-recurring items (and net of the related $2.9 million tax expense adjustment) Berkshire’s adjusted net income was $8.6 million ($0.43 per share).  Net income was $3.5 million ($0.25 per share) in the third quarter of 2010.
 
 
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Berkshire’s net income for the first nine months of 2011 was $9.1 million ($0.54 per share), including $14.1 million in net non-recurring expense.  Excluding this expense (and including the $4.6 million related tax adjustment), Berkshire’s recurring net income was $18.6 million $1.10 per share) in the first nine months of 2011.  In comparison, net income for the first nine months of 2010 was $10.2 million ($0.74 per share).

Net non-recurring expense (after-tax) has totaled $9.5 million for the year-to-date, including the core systems conversion charge.  This expense is well within the $18 million original after-tax estimate by Berkshire for the non-recurring charges related to the bank acquisitions.  Most non-recurring expenses were directly related to the mergers of Rome and Legacy and are not ongoing operating expenses of Berkshire.  Transaction expenses consisted primarily of severance and benefit related costs related to the change in control of the acquired entities.  Transaction expenses also included professional fees and contract termination costs.   In some cases, transaction related expenses were recorded by the acquired entities before the effective time of the merger, including expenses reported in previous periods.  Berkshire chose to acquire these banks and incur these non-recurring expenses in order to benefit income from recurring operations.  Accordingly, this discussion includes reference to recurring income and expense in analyzing 2011 results.  Recurring income and expense are not GAAP measures and are not intended to substitute for GAAP income and expense measures.

About half of the growth in recurring earnings per share is estimated to be the benefit of positive operating leverage resulting from revenue growth and disciplined expense management.  About half of the growth is estimated to be the accretive benefit of the Rome and Legacy acquisitions, which has exceeded Berkshire’s expectations.  During the most recent quarter, GAAP return on assets measured 0.45%, net of the aforementioned non-recurring items (after-tax).  The recurring return on assets improved to 0.89% in the most recent quarter.  Recurring return on assets is based on recurring net income, which was previously described, rather than on GAAP net income.  It is a non-GAAP financial measure intended to analyze the trends in the Company’s ongoing operations.  Berkshire believes that its 2011 results show good progress towards its long term objectives to improve profitability and to achieve double digit long run returns on its investments.

Growth in ongoing operating earnings has included the benefit of positive operating leverage from strong revenue growth, disciplined expense management, and the benefit of a lower loan loss provision related to improved asset quality.  The Company has maintained an asset sensitive net interest income profile, as management has chosen to sacrifice current yield to protect earnings in the event of future rate increases.  The Company is also absorbing the costs of ongoing branch and business expansion in its cost of operations.

Revenue. Third quarter total net revenue increased by 59% to $42 million in 2011 compared to 2010, including the benefit of the bank acquisitions.  Annualized net revenue per share increased by 10% to $8.30 from $7.56.
 
For the first nine months of the year, total net revenue increased by $23 million (29%).  Most of this growth was related to the $19 million increase in net interest income in 2011 compared to 2010.
 
Net Interest Income. Net interest income has grown sequentially for more than eight quarters. Third quarter net interest income increased by $11.4 million (58%) and the year-to-date increase was $18.5 million (33%) in 2011 compared to 2010. The combined net interest income reported by Rome and Legacy in their last operating quarter totaled $9.2 million, and their operations now contribute to the growth over 2010. In addition to the merger benefits, higher net interest income in 2011 was related to organic growth in loans and deposits, as well as an improved net interest margin related primarily to lower funding costs. During 2011, the 0.10% yield compression on loans reflects the impact of run-off of higher rate loans, along with a shift in the portfolio mix. As previously noted, this impact has been mitigated in the most recent quarter by the benefit of wider margin loans acquired in the bank mergers. Year-to-date asset yield compression has been more than offset by the reduction in the cost of funds, which has primarily resulted from lower deposit costs. Including the benefit of Berkshire’s loan and deposit pricing disciplines, the net interest margin improved to 3.74% in the most recent quarter, compared to 3.30% in the third quarter of 2010. For the first nine months of the year, the margin improved to 3.52% from 3.26%. The overall growth in net interest income also reflects the 39% increase in average earning assets in the third quarter and 22% increase for the year-to-date in 2011 compared to 2010. Berkshire maintains an asset sensitive profile so that any future rate increases from the current low rate environment are targeted to benefit net interest income.
 
Non-Interest Income.  Non-interest income increased by $4.1 million (63%) and $4.7 million (21%) in the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared to 2010.  Excluding non-recurring income of $2.0 million and $2.1 million, these increases were $2.1 million (33%) and $2.6 million (11%) respectively.  As previously noted, the non-recurring income primarily related to gains recognized at the merger date on existing Legacy shares that had been owned as part of the equity securities investment portfolio.  The combined recurring non-interest income reported by Rome and Legacy in their last operating quarter prior to acquisition totaled about $2.6 million, and their operations now contribute to Berkshire’s growth.  Deposit fee income measured 0.51% (annualized) of average deposits in the most recent quarter compared to 0.53% in the third quarter of 2010, as Berkshire has mostly mitigated the revenue impact of regulatory changes on deposit fee income.  Insurance and wealth management income have benefited from organic growth in 2011, and the addition of Legacy’s wealth management business.  Third quarter insurance commission income increased 5% year-to-year, including the benefit of commercial account growth.  Nine month insurance fee revenue included the impact of a $0.4 million year-to-year reduction in insurance contingency income as a result of lower payouts from major carriers due to industry conditions.
 
 
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Beginning in the second quarter, as noted in the consolidated financial statements, Berkshire corrected its accounting related to investment tax credit limited partnership interests.  Income and expense for prior periods have been revised for this immaterial change in accounting.  Fee income totaled 25% of total revenue in the first nine months of 2011.  Berkshire’s goal is to increase this ratio over time in order to diversify its revenues and to obtain the benefit of cross sales and increased wallet share of financial services in its market area.  In the near term, this ratio has declined due to the lower proportionate fee based revenues of the acquired bank operations.
 
Loan Loss Provision.  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. The level of the allowance is a critical
accounting estimate, which is subject to uncertainty.  The level of the loan loss allowance increased by 1% to $32.2 million in the first nine months of 2011 and was included in the earlier discussion of financial condition.  The first nine months loan loss provision decreased by $1.2 million, reflecting improvement in asset quality as demonstrated in asset performance and net loan charge-off ratios.

Non-Interest Expense and Income Tax Expense.  Non-interest expense increased by $14.6 million and $26.2 million for the third quarter and first nine months of 2011 compared to 2010.  As noted previously, most of the non-recurring expenses were related to the bank acquisitions and were within Berkshire’s plan.  These expenses also included a $2 million charge related to a core systems conversion which is scheduled for next year and which is expected to provide benefits related to efficiencies, product depth, customer service, and scalability.  Excluding non-recurring expenses of $9.1 million and $16.2 million, the increases in recurring expenses were $5.5 million (27%) and $10.0 million (17%), respectively.  The combined recurring non-interest expense reported by Rome and Legacy in their last operating quarter totaled about $9.9 million.  Despite the addition of acquired bank operations, the $5.5 million year-to-year increase in non-recurring expenses demonstrates the significant cost savings that Berkshire has achieved.  The Company is progressing well with its plan to reduce Rome operating expenses by 35% and Legacy operating expenses by 42%.  Full-time equivalent employees totaled 794 at September 30, 2011, an increase of 195 compared to 599 at year-end 2010.  Full-time equivalent employees of Rome and Legacy totaled 270 at year-end 2010.  Berkshire’s staff count and expenses include the costs from Berkshire’s ongoing de novo branch expansion, along with other expenses related to infrastructure investment.

At the beginning of the second quarter, the FDIC implemented new banking industry deposit insurance assessment rates and formulas.  This change reduced FDIC insurance expense, which measured 0.12% of average deposits (annualized) in the most recent quarter, compared to 0.17% in the third quarter of 2010.   The resulting future annualized savings in deposit insurance is expected to exceed $1.5 million.  Expense of other real estate owned increased in 2011 primarily due to write-downs of foreclosed real estate to facilitate the liquidation of these assets.  Amortization of intangible assets increased due primarily to the core deposit intangibles recorded for the bank acquisitions.  The annualized ratio of total recurring non-interest expense to average assets decreased to 2.65% in the most recent quarter from 2.90% in the prior year, reflecting improved efficiency resulting from Berkshire’s disciplined expense management.  The annualized ratio of total non-interest expense to assets increased to 3.59% from 2.90% for these periods due to the merger related expenses in 2011.  The comparison of recurring non-interest expense to average assets is a non-GAAP financial measure intended to provide further information about the efficiency of ongoing operations.
 
 
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The effective income tax rate was 8% in the most recent quarter and 14% for the first nine months of 2011, compared to 17% in both of these periods in 2010.  The quarterly tax rate has been affected by the timing of the bank acquisitions and non-recurring items.  For the nine months, the lower tax rate primarily reflects lower pre-tax income as a result of the non-recurring charges.  The effective tax rate was less than the statutory rate of 35% due primarily to earnings from tax-exempt investments and the benefit of investment tax credits.  These savings were partially offset by state income taxes.  The tax rate includes the impact of investment tax credits as previously discussed in the non-interest income section above.

Results of Segment and Parent Operations. The Company has designated two operating segments for financial statement disclosure: banking and insurance. Additional information about the Company’s accounting for segment operations is contained in the notes to the financial statements.  Third quarter results for the bank and the parent included reclassifications of prior period amounts.  For the parent, year-to-date net income decreased year-to-year primarily due to the impact of the non-recurring expenses.  Consolidated net income declined as a result of the parent operations.  Insurance segment results reflect the revenue factors discussed previously for non-interest income, with a reduction in revenue due to lower contingency fee income.  Expenses were lower as a result of a reorganization early in 2010, and as a result, net income increased year-to-year in both the third quarter and for the year-to-date.

Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income is a component of total stockholders’ equity on the balance sheet. It includes changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which consist of changes (after tax) in the unrealized market gains and losses on securities available for sale and the net gain (loss) on derivative instruments used as cash flow hedges, including a terminated hedge.  For the first nine months of 2011, the Company recorded comprehensive income of $10.0 million, including net income of $9.1 million and $0.9 million in other comprehensive income due to improvement in the fair values of investment securities and interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges.  For the same period of 2010, total comprehensive income was $3.9 million, including net income of $10.2 million and a $6.2 million increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss due primarily to a decrease in the fair value of interest rate swaps as a result of lower interest rates.

Liquidity and Cash Flows.   Due to the bank acquisitions, cash flow aggregates were unusual in the last two quarters.  As previously noted, excluding discontinued operations, the loan/deposit ratio was unchanged at September 30, 2011 compared to the start of the year.  Generally, Berkshire seeks to fund loan growth through deposit growth.  The combination of the acquisitions and organic growth maintained the loan/deposit balance for 2011 year-to-date.  Overall liquidity improved, with increases in short and long term investments and reductions in borrowings.  Deposit growth is expected to continue to be the primary source of funds for the remainder of the year, and net loan growth is expected to be the primary use of funds.  Borrowings from the Federal Home Loan Bank are a significant source of liquidity for daily operations and for borrowings targeted for specific asset/liability purposes.  The Company also uses interest rate swaps in managing its funds sources and uses.
 
At the most recent quarter-end. the Company had in excess of $600 million in borrowing availability with the Federal Home Loan Bank.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp had a cash balance totaling $22 million at September 30, 2011, and this cash was expected to fund all routine uses of cash for dividends, debt service, and operating costs.  The primary long run routine sources of funds for the holding company are expected to be dividends from Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Insurance Group, as well as cash from the exercise of stock options.  As a result of the loss recorded in 2009, Berkshire Bank is not currently eligible to pay dividends to its parent under Massachusetts state banking statutes. The Company expects that, as a result of current and anticipated retained earnings, the Bank will again become eligible to pay dividends according to these statutes beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011.  As noted above, the Parent expects to meet all of its routine cash needs prior to that time from existing cash balances on hand, including anticipated shareowner cash dividends.  Based on its current operations and future prospects, the Company increased its quarterly cash dividend by 6% to $0.17 per share beginning in the fourth quarter of 2011.  Additional discussion about the Company’s liquidity and cash flows is contained in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K in Item 7.
 
 
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The Company acquired Rome Bancorp for cash and stock consideration on April 1, 2011 as described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements.  The cash portion of the consideration was funded by cash held at Rome Bancorp which was up-streamed in the first quarter as a capital distribution from The Rome Savings Bank which was funded through the liquidation of short and long term investments during the quarter.  The Company completed the acquisition of Legacy Bancorp on July 21, 2011 for cash and stock consideration.  Legacy Banks provided a $10 million capital distribution to Legacy Bancorp in July, 2011 from liquid funds in the bank.  This cash was used to fund the $10 million cash consideration issued in the Legacy merger.  Legacy Bancorp had additional liquidity which was available for Legacy Bancorp merger related expenses and to supplement cash balances at Berkshire Hills Bancorp.

Capital Resources. Please see the “Stockholders’ Equity” section of the Comparison of Financial Condition for a discussion of stockholders’ equity. At September 30, 2011, Berkshire Bank continued to be classified as “well capitalized.” Additional information about regulatory capital is contained in the notes to the consolidated financial statements and in the 2010 Form 10-K.

As discussed in the 2010 Form 10-K, there are financial system reforms which became federal law in July 2010 and which constitute the most significant regulatory and systemic reform since the 1930s.  It cannot be determined at this time what the full impacts of the reforms will be.  Some of the reforms are intended to increase required capital levels in the banking system.  The Company does not currently anticipate material impacts to its operations from these system reform processes, which are to a large extent ongoing and dependent on regulatory policies that have not been fully developed.

The Company issued common stock as 70% consideration for the shares of Rome Bancorp on April 1, 2011 and the Company issued common stock as 90% of the consideration for the shares of Legacy Bancorp in the merger on July 21, 2011.  The Company also issued new stock options to replace designated Legacy stock options, as part of the purchase consideration for that merger.  At the stockholder meeting in June, 2011, stockholders approved the Legacy merger and also approved an increase in the total authorized common shares from 26 million to 50 million shares.  This increase became effective in the most recent quarter.  Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CBT - The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company, which includes stock consideration as 70% of the overall purchase consideration.  This acquisition is expected to close early in the second quarter of 2012.

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. A further presentation of the Company’s off-balance sheet arrangements is presented in the Company’s 2010 Form 10-K. Information relating to payments due under contractual obligations is presented in the 2010 Form 10-K.  With the acquisitions of Rome and Legacy, Berkshire became obligated for various operating contractual liabilities of the acquired institutions, as well as compensation obligations related to the change in control, a Legacy deposit divestiture dividend, and obligations related to the early termination of certain vendor contracts.  As noted above, after the most recent quarter-end, Berkshire entered into a definitive agreement to acquire CBT, which conditionally obligates Berkshire for the payment of merger consideration, for other contract performance liabilities, and for the types of post-merger operating liabilities noted above.  Additionally, Berkshire is in the process of settling the divestiture of four Legacy Berkshire County branch offices to another financial institution, and has a pending contract to divest four Legacy New York branches, which will require cash consideration and other monetary and performance obligations for the settlement of that divestiture.
 
 
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Fair Value Measurements.  The Company records fair value measurements of certain assets and liabilities, as described in the related note in the financial statements.  Assets and liabilities acquired in bank mergers were recorded at fair value as of the acquisition date and there were no significant changes in these values subsequent to acquisition.  The fair values of assets and liabilities related to discontinued operations were recorded at the lower of cost or fair value.  There was significant improvement in the fair value of Berkshire financial instruments during first nine months of 2011.  The loan portfolio had an estimated $58 million (2.8%) fair value discount at year-end 2010, reflecting market conditions for loans with higher than normal risk.  During the first nine months of 2011, the market conditions for loans with normal risk improved significantly, including reflecting the lower interest rates prevailing at period-end.  As a result, the loan portfolio has an estimated fair value approximately equal to carrying value at the period-end. This change represented a significant improvement in the economic value of the Company’s equity as depicted by these measures.  The excess fair value of time deposits and borrowings over book value reflects the impact of lower interest rates. There was a slight increase in the excess of fair value over book value at the period-end, reflecting the decrease in market interest rates during the period and indications from the Federal Reserve Bank that short term rates would be held near present levels for  an extended period. The excess of carrying value over fair value of the trust preferred obligation reflects wider market interest spreads since the time ot its origination.
 
 
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ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


There have been no material changes to the way that the Company measures market risk or in the Company’s net market risk position during the first nine months of 2011.  The addition of Rome and Legacy increased interest bearing assets and liabilities, but did not materially change modeled interest rate sensitivity of net interest income.  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, 2010.

As discussed in Item 2, Berkshire has a targeted position to maintain a moderately asset sensitive interest rate profile.  Federal interventions to avoid a financial crisis unexpectedly drove short-term interest rates to near zero where they have remained since the fourth quarter of 2008.  Berkshire maintains a discipline to avoid undue risks to net interest income and to the economic value of equity which would result from taking on excessive fixed rate assets in the current environment.

Management believes that net interest income might increase by more than the modeled amount in the possible situation of rising interest rates.    Management might decide to retain more, longer duration assets, after interest rates increase, and this would contribute additional income in the case of a parallel shift in the yield curve.  Also, the Company has experienced certain market floors on deposit pricing in the current near zero short-term interest rate environment.  In the case of rising rates, deposits might not increase in rate as quickly as they are modeled since they are presently above other comparable market rates in some cases.  Additionally, in some scenarios, the Company’s fee income might also increase as a result of improved economic and market conditions that might be related to higher market interest rates.

Rome’s interest rate risk analysis as set forth in its 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K demonstrated a modestly asset sensitive profile at year-end 2010.  Based on Berkshire’s review of Rome’s balance sheet and balance sheet changes subsequent to the merger, Berkshire models that the interest rate risk of Rome’s operations was modestly liability sensitive.  Legacy’s analysis at the same date demonstrated modest liability sensitivity.  After  integrating these two banks and restructuring the borrowings and securities, Berkshire estimates that there has been no material change to its measures of its asset sensitivity at September 30, 2011, compared to the prior year-end.  This is consistent with its earlier estimates and includes the impact of $40 million in new forward starting interest rate swaps in the most recent quarter, which have the effect of limiting the impact of potential future higher interest rates on funding costs.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 
As of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, an evaluation was carried out by the Company's management, with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. The Company evaluated changes in its internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the last fiscal quarter.  This included the acquisitions of Rome Bancorp and Legacy Bancorp, which did not have control certifications from their prior managements for the quarters ending prior to the merger dates..  Additionally, the Company evaluated changes in its financial reporting as a result of the resignation of its Controller in July, and the utilization of temporary accounting resources on an interim basis for the current financial reporting.  The Company determined that these changes were not changes that materially affected, or were reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
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PART II

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


At September 30, 2011, 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, 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. 
 
Following the public announcement of the execution of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated October 12, 2010 (the "Merger Agreement"), by and among the Company and Rome Bancorp, Inc. (“Rome Bancorp”), on October 18, 2010, Stephen Bushansky filed a stockholder class action lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of the Bronx, on October 27, 2010, James and Liliana DiCastro filed a stockholder class action lawsuit in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware, and on November 15, 2010, Samuel S. Rapasodi filed a stockholder class action lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Oneida, each against Rome Bancorp, the Directors of Rome Bancorp, and the Company.  The lawsuit filed in Delaware was subsequently withdrawn voluntarily.  The active lawsuits in New York state (collectively, the "Rome shareholder litigation") purported to be brought on behalf of all of Rome Bancorp's public stockholders and alleged that the directors of Rome Bancorp breached their fiduciary duties to Rome Bancorp's stockholders by failing to take steps necessary to obtain a fair and adequate price for Rome Bancorp's common stock and that the Company knowingly aided and abetted Rome Bancorp directors' breach of fiduciary duty. 
 
On February 23, 2011, solely to avoid the costs, risks and uncertainties inherent in litigation and to allow Rome Bancorp's stockholders to vote on the proposals required in connection with the merger, Rome Bancorp entered into a memorandum of understanding with plaintiffs’ counsel and other named defendants regarding the settlement of the Rome shareholder litigation.  Under the terms of the memorandum negotiated by Rome Bancorp, Rome Bancorp, the other named defendants and the plaintiffs agreed to settle the two lawsuits subject to court approval. The Company and the other defendants vigorously denied, and continue to vigorously deny, that they committed or aided and abetted in the commission of any violation of law or engaged in any of the wrongful acts that were or could have been alleged in the Rome shareholder litigation, and expressly maintain that, to the extent applicable, they diligently and scrupulously complied with their fiduciary and other legal burdens and entered into the contemplated settlement solely to eliminate the burden and expense of further litigation, to put the claims that were or could have been asserted to rest, and to avoid any possible delay in the consummation of the merger.  
 
In connection with the settlement, plaintiffs sought an award of attorneys’ fees and expenses not to exceed $395,000, subject to court approval.  Rome Bancorp's insurance carrier agreed to pay the legal fees and expenses of plaintiffs’ counsel, in an amount not to exceed $395,000 and ultimately to be determined by the court. This payment will not be made by the Company and did not affect the amount of merger consideration paid in the merger.
 
On July 18, 2011, the New York trial court gave final approval of the parties’ proposed settlement of the Rome shareholder litigation.  The court’s order and final judgment approving the settlement dismissed with prejudice all claims in all actions that were or could have been brought challenging any aspect of the merger, the Merger Agreement, and any disclosure made in connection therewith (but excluding claims for appraisal under Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law). As a result of the settlement, the Rome shareholder litigation had no material adverse effect on the financial condition or operations of the Company.
 
 
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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


In addition to the other information set forth in this report, and the Economic and Financial Conditions Risk Factor discussed below, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K 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.  Additionally, the Company has reported risk factors in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus forms filed with the SEC related to the Rome and Legacy acquisitions, including risks related to merger integration and expected cost savings.  While the mergers have been completed, including the Legacy merger on July 21, 2011, the Company continues to recognize the risks related to integration and management of the acquired operations which were previously identified in the subject SEC filings.    Also, in October, Berkshire entered into a definitive agreement to acquire The Connecticut Bank and Trust Company. The risks related to this acquisition are similar to the risks related to Rome and Legacy which were discussed in the year-end report on Form 10-K and in subsequent SEC filings.
 
Economic and Financial Conditions Risk Factor.
 
In addition to the risks discussed above, the national and global financial systems and economic outlook demonstrate the potential for further risks.  Such factors include the potential downgrade of U.S. Treasury obligations, uncertainties related to U.S. federal budgetary and fiscal management (and related impacts on states and municipalities), financial system stresses in Europe, and adverse trends in U.S. employment and economic growth.  A deterioration of business and economic conditions could adversely affect the credit quality of the Company’s loans, results of operations and financial condition.
 
The Standard & Poor’s downgrade in the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating and in the credit ratings of instruments issued, insured or guaranteed by certain related institutions, agencies and instrumentalities, could result in risks to the Company and general economic conditions that we are not able to predict.  On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s downgraded the United States long-term debt rating from its AAA rating to AA+.   On August 8, 2011, Standard & Poor's downgraded the credit ratings of certain long-term debt instruments issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and other U.S. government agencies linked to long-term U.S. debt. Instruments of this nature are key assets on the balance sheets of financial institutions, including the Bank.  These downgrades could adversely affect the market value of such instruments, and could adversely impact our ability to obtain funding that is collateralized by affected instruments, as well as affecting the pricing of that funding when it is available. We cannot predict if, when or how these changes to the credit ratings will affect economic conditions. These ratings downgrades could result in a significant adverse impact to the Company, and could exacerbate the other risks to which the Company is subject, including those described under Risk Factors  in the Company’s 2010 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


(a)
No Company unregistered securities were sold by the Company during the quarter ended September 30, 2011.
(b)
Not applicable.
(c)
The following table provides certain information with regard to shares repurchased by the Company in the third quarter of 2011.
 
 
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Total number of shares
   
Maximum number of
 
               
purchased as part of
   
shares that may yet
 
   
Total number of
   
Average price
   
publicly announced
   
be purchased under
 
Period
 
shares purchased
   
paid per share
   
plans or programs
   
the plans or programs
 
July 1-31, 2011 (1)
    1,618     $ 22.52       -       97,993  
Aug 1-31, 2011
    -       -       -       97,993  
Sept 1-30, 2011
    -       -       -       97,993  
Total
    1,618     $ 22.52       -       97,993  

(1) Shares represent common stock withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding requirements on the vesting of shares under the Company’s benefit plans.

On December 14, 2007, the Company authorized the purchase of up to 300,000 additional shares, from time to time, subject to market conditions. The repurchase plan will continue until it is completed or terminated by the Board of Directors.  The Company has no plans that it has elected to terminate prior to expiration or under which it does not intend to make further purchases.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None.

ITEM 4. (REMOVED AND RESERVED)


Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION


None.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 21, 2010, by and between Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Legacy Bancorp, Inc. (1)
3.1 
Certificate of Incorporation of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (2)
3.2 
Bylaws of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.(3)
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (2)
10.1
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Michael P. Daly (4)
10.2
Amended and Restated Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Kevin P. Riley (4)
10.3
Amended and Restated Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Sean A. Gray(6)
10.4
Amended and Restated Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Richard M. Marotta (5)
10.5
Amended and Restated Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Linda A. Johnston (6)
10.6
Amended and Restated Supplemental Executive Retirement Agreement between Berkshire Bank and Michael P. Daly (7)
10.7
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. 2011 Equity Incentive Plan (8)
10.8
Form of Berkshire Bank Employee Severance Compensation Plan (3)
10.9
Three Year Change in Control Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Patrick J. Sullivan, dated as of December 21, 2010 (9)
 
 
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10.10
Settlement Agreement by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Legacy Bancorp, Inc., Legacy Banks and Patrick J. Sullivan, dated as of December 21, 2010 (9)
10.11
Severance Agreement by and among Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Patrick J. Sullivan, dated as of December 21, 2010 (9)
10.12
Amended and Restated Settlement Agreement by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Legacy Bancorp,, Inc., Legacy Banks and J. Williar Dunlaevy, dated as of April 6, 2011 (9)
10.13
Non-Competition and Consulting Agreement by and among Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Berkshire Bank and J. Williar Dunlaevy, dated as of April 6, 2011 (9)
10.14
Legacy Bancorp, Inc. Amended and Restated 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (10)
10.15
Form of Split Dollar Agreement entered into with Michael P. Daly, Kevin P. Riley, Sean A. Gray, Richard M. Marotta and Linda A. Johnston (11)
11.0
Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings is incorporated herein by reference to Part II, Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”
21.0
Subsidiary Information is incorporated herein by reference to Part I, Item 1, “Business - Subsidiary Activities” of the Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 2010
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
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 Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements tagged as blocks of text and in detail (12)
 

(1)
Incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2010.
(2)
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.
(3)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on February 29, 2008.
(4)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K as filed on January 6, 2009.
(5)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2010.
(6)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2011.
(7)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to Form 10-K as filed on March 16, 2009.
(8)       Incorporated herein by reference from the Appendix to the Proxy Statement as filed on March 24, 2011.
(9)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 as filed on April 20, 2011, Registration No. 333-173404.
(10) 
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibits to the Form 8-K filed by Legacy Bancorp, Inc. on December 22, 2010.
(11)
Incorporated herein by reference from the Exhibit to the Form 8-K as filed on January 19, 2011.
(12)
As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is furnished and not field for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
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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, 2011
 
By:
/s/ Michael P. Daly
   
Michael P. Daly
   
President and Chief Executive Officer
       
Dated: November 9, 2011
 
By:
/s/ Kevin P. Riley
   
Kevin P. Riley
   
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
   
Officer

 
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