Quarterlytics / Financial Services / Banks - Regional / Berkshire Hills Bancorp

Berkshire Hills Bancorp

bhlb · NASDAQ Financial Services
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Ticker bhlb
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 1001-5000
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FY2018 Annual Report · Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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2018 SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT

MOVING FORWARD TOGETHER

Moving Forward Together

Dear Shareholders, Customers and Employees:

Berkshire Bank is defined by our commitment to providing our customers and our 
communities with the scale and resources of a big bank, but with local decision-
making.  This is a model that engages our employees, supports our communities, 
and creates enduring returns for our investors.

Our 2018 results reflect that commitment, as we hit key earnings and operational 
targets and achieved record return on assets.  All are important accomplishments 
during our first full year of operating above the $10 billion asset mark. Additional 
highlights include:

• 

Improved profitability

•  Full year earnings per share increased by 65% to $2.29

•  Non-GAAP adjusted earnings per share increased by 18% 

to $2.71

•  Revenue grew 12%  driven by increased product and 

service offerings to our Northeast markets

•  Return on assets improved by 61% to 0.90% 

•  Return on equity improved by 54% to 6.8%

•  Non-GAAP adjusted return on tangible common equity 

improved by 14% to 13.5%   

•  Fully integrated the operations of Commerce Bank 

and Trust Company

•  Announced a definitive agreement to acquire SI Financial 

Group in Connecticut

2018 PROFIT GROWTH

Richard M. Marotta 
Chief Executive Officer

PURPOSE

To financially empower our 
communities and help everyone 
realize life’s exciting moments.

CULTURE

A culture that fosters respect, 
ethical behavior, diversity 
and inclusion, creates an 
environment where all 
employees belong and can 
reach their full potential.

VISION

To succeed as a relationship-
driven financial institution by 
operating responsibly, investing 
in our people and communities 
and fostering a strong sense 
of belonging while creating 
sustainable returns.

FOOTPRINT

12%

65%

91%

With corporate headquarters 
in Boston, we operate in six 
Northeastern states and in 
targeted national markets 
as the premier banking 
institution with a reputation 
for local responsiveness and 
engagement. 

R E V E N U E

E P S

G S

E A R NIN

1

2018 SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT

Moving Forward Together

BUILDING A 21ST CENTURY 
COMMUNITY BANK

We are the third largest regional bank headquartered in New 
England, and the largest based in Boston.  Our franchise 
stretches from Boston to Syracuse and from Southern Vermont 
to New Jersey and Philadelphia and will soon expand to 
Eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.  This scale creates great 
opportunity for both outstanding customer service and new 
relationship acquisitions.  

In 2018, we continued the expansion of our footprint with the 
seamless systems conversion and integration of Commerce 
Bank and Trust Company, including their 16 branches in Central 
and Eastern Massachusetts. This conversion allowed us to 
secure the leading deposit position in Worcester, New England’s 
second largest city, and successfully cross the $10 billion asset 
threshold. We built on the success of the Commerce acquisition 
and our Boston corporate headquarters move by expanding our 
regional teams, creating opportunities to build both awareness 
and enduring relationships. Together, our Boston and Worcester 
teams increased our market share in Eastern Massachusetts, 
which is now the largest regional market we serve.  

In December, we announced a definitive agreement to acquire SI 
Financial Group, with 23 branches serving Eastern Connecticut 
and Rhode Island. This contiguous market expansion is a natural 
fit for our company, allowing us to bring big bank resources, local 
responsiveness and our distinctive culture to strengthen the 
capabilities and offerings of the SI Financial team.  

Our sustained focus on the banking relationships that fuel small 
business growth continues to be an effective strategy. Our SBA 
lending team at 44 Business Capital generated record volume 
and revenue in 2018, and moved into the top 30 SBA producers 
nationally, both by volume and dollar value of SBA loans. In 
addition to our success with 44 Business Capital, we integrated 
our SBA teams with our Firestone business equipment 
lending operation and our Commercial lending teams to drive 
synergies and revenue growth across our footprint. Our small 
business lending outpaced prior year performance locally and 
nationally, while helping main street businesses create jobs and 
improve the economic vitality of the communities in which we 
serve and operate. 

Syracuse

Manchester

Albany

Pittsfield

Worcester

Springfield

Boston

Hartford

Princeton

SELECT FINANCIAL 
INFORMATION

Balance Sheet 
($ millions – period end)

FY18

FY17

Total Assets

Total Securities

Total Loans

Goodwill and Intangibles

Deposits

Borrowings

Shareholders' Equity

$12,212

$11,571

1,919

9,043

552

8,982

1,518

1,553

1,899

8,299

558

8,750

1,137

1,496

Operating Results 
($ millions)

FY18

FY17

Net Interest Income

$359

$295

Non-Interest Income

Total Net Revenue

Provision for Loan Losses

Non-Interest Expense

Net Income

110

469

25

310

106

125

420

21

300

55

Per Share Data ($)

FY18

FY17

Earnings, Diluted

$2.29

$1.39

Earnings, Adjusted*

Dividends

Book Value

Tangible Book Value*

2.71

0.88

33.30

21.15

2.29

0.84

32.14

19.83

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.—BHLB  |  berkshirebank.com 

2

* Note: Earnings, Adjusted and Tangible Book Value are non-
GAAP financial measures; see Form 10-K for discussion 
and further detail.

AWARDS

•  United Nations IMPACT2030 

Innovation Award  
For Leadership & Collaboration 
with Human Capital Investments – 
Small-Medium Enterprise 
(International)

•  Halo Award presented by 

Engage For Good 
Gold Halo Award Winner 2018 Top 
Employee Community Engagement 
Program in North America – XTEAM

•  Invest In Others National 
Corporate Philanthropy 
Award Winner 
Financial Institutions (National)

•  PR Daily Corporate Social 
Responsibility Award 
XTEAM Volunteer Program – Top 
Volunteer Program in North America

•  Boston Business Journal Top 
Charitable Contributors List 
6th Straight Year 2013-2018

•  Communitas Awards 2018 
International Leadership Award 
Winner for Corporate Social 
Responsibility & Community Service 

•  SBA 7(a) 

Ranked #23 in Loan Volume 
375 Loans for $179M 
SBA Fiscal Year 2018, 
Gross Loan Approvals

For more information, check out our 
CORPORATE 
RESPONSIBILITY REPORT:

ir.berkshirebank.com

O U R   P U R P O S E   &   P R O M I S E
2 0 1 8   C o r p o r a t e   S o c i a l   R e s p o n s i b i l i t y   R e p o r t

We also saw strong activity across all of our banking regions and business lines, 
including retail, commercial, wealth, insurance, and in our specialty businesses. 
A 21st century bank provides innovative solutions through multiple delivery 
channels, reaching customers where they are. We opened two new branches in 
Connecticut and New York featuring our distinctive branch layout and MyTellerSM 
Interactive Teller Machines (ITM), which combines state-of-the-art virtual 
technology with the human touch of traditional teller service and extended 
service hours. Additionally, we expanded our team of MyBankers® who offer one 
point of contact and exceptional service at no cost, for any customer interested 
in a committed banking relationship. Our team of MyBankers® expands our 
geographic reach and service availability with personalized concierge level 
responsiveness.  More information on this service and on our other offerings can 
be found on our new berkshirebank.com website.

ENHANCING OUR CULTURE
Strong financial performance is only one component of a successful 
corporation. A business that operates responsibly, invests in its people and 
communities, and creates a best-in-class workplace will inevitably mitigate risk 
and deliver higher returns. 

Our internal culture has been and always will be a priority. It is the foundation 
of a 21st century community bank. When our people thrive, our company 
thrives. At the start of 2018, we implemented a new hourly minimum wage of 
$15, and during the year, implemented the new Massachusetts Equal Pay Act 
requirements.  These measures help to ensure that women and men who have 
similar experience and do comparable work receive the same wage. While 
raising our minimum wage and working towards gender pay equity are the start, 
we must have a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We grew 
quickly from a small community bank in Western Massachusetts to a full-service 
financial institution with operations in six states and select national markets. 
Now we must settle in and focus on creating a culture that mirrors our evolution.  

Berkshire Bank has built on our longstanding legacy of responsible 
business practices by naming a senior leader for corporate responsibility 
and culture. Together with our Board, we will collaboratively enhance 
our social responsibility programs and our employee performance. Our 
inaugural corporate social responsibility report (available on our investor 
relations website) details the meaningful impact these efforts have had on 
our community. We also partnered with a diversity consultant to advise 
management on creating a culture of belonging. These collective efforts, 
combined with disciplined expense management and our improving 
profitability, will contribute to our success moving forward.

3

2018 SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT

 
FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES & 
RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS PRACTICES
We understand the important connection between the vitality of our communities 
and the success of our business. We seek to contribute to our communities through 
employee volunteerism and the Berkshire Bank Foundation. In 2018, our XTEAM® 
Employee Volunteer Program achieved 100 percent employee participation 
for the third straight year, providing over 40,000 hours of service through 342 
volunteer events. In addition, Berkshire Bank and its Foundation provided $4.2 
million in contributions to organizations engaged in important work throughout 
our footprint. As a result, Berkshire Bank was honored by the United Nations with 
the IMPACT2030 Innovation Award for its XTEAM® Employee Volunteer Program, 
a Gold Halo Award from Engage For Good as the Top North American employee 
volunteer program, and PR Daily’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award. 

SHAREHOLDER FOCUS
Delivering returns for our shareholders is of the utmost importance. Berkshire 
Bank’s book value per share gained 4% during the year. We increased our 
quarterly cash dividend by 5% in January 2018, and then increased it by another 
5% in January 2019. In June, Berkshire’s stock was added to the S&P SmallCap 
600® index, widening our visibility. With our larger size, we implemented debt 
ratings from a recognized credit rating agency, earning an investment-grade 
rating on our senior debt.  

We have a lot to be proud of, and as I look forward, I am enthusiastic about the 
opportunities we have around the footprint. We are dedicated to pursuing 
efficiencies and deploying our capital and liquidity to drive profitability and 
strengthen our enterprise. I am grateful to our Board and our leadership team 
for their dedication to our mission. We all thank our customers, employees, and 
shareholders for their continuing support.

Sincerely, 

Richard M. Marotta 
Chief Executive Officer

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.—BHLB  |  berkshirebank.com 

4

MyBanker®: The size of your wallet will 
never drive the quality of your service.

MyTellerSM: Customers bank on their 
schedule with new teller technology and 
extended hours.

Mobile Banking: It's like a Berkshire 
branch right in your hand.

DRIVING 
PROFITABILITY

Adjusted ROTCE

14%

ROE

7%

2014

2015 2016 2017 2018

Note: Adjusted ROTCE is a non-GAAP 
financial measure; see our Form 10-K for 
discussion and further detail.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
BUILDING A RESPONSIBLE WORKFORCE

WOMEN IN 
MANAGEMENT

IMPLEMENTED MASSACHUSETTS

EQUAL PAY ACT

FOSTERING SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES

CORPORATE PROFILE

$12.2 Billion
in Assets

•  Retail banking, commercial banking, 
insurance and wealth management

•  115 branches located across New 

England, New York, New Jersey and 
Pennsylvania

•  Wealth assets under management of 

$1.4 billion

INVESTMENT 
CONSIDERATIONS

•  Strong earnings momentum and 

improving profitability

•  Boston-based regional bank delivering 
franchise value in attractive markets

•  Distinctive culture drives results

•  Disciplined regional consolidator 

•  Focused on profitability goals and 

building shareholder value

STOCK INFORMATION 
As of 2/28/19

FINANCING THE FUTURE

since 2014

TICKER

Stock Price

Market Cap

P/E (FY19 est.)

Price/Book

Price/Tangible Book

52 Week Range

NYSE: BHLB

$31.32

$1.4 billion

11.8x

0.94x

1.48x

$25.77–$44.25

Annualized Dividend (1Q19)

Dividend Yield

$0.92

2.9%

Shares Outstanding

45.4 million

Average Daily Volume (3-mo.)

308,000 shares

$195M

$2.5B

$28M $95M

COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT 
LENDING

COMMUNITY 
DEVELOPMENT 
INVESTMENTS

All data reported is for 2018 unless otherwise specified.

5

2018 SUMMARY ANNUAL REPORT

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Richard M. Marotta 
Chief Executive Officer

Sean A. Gray 
President and Chief Operating Officer

James M. Moses 
SEVP, Chief Financial Officer

George F. Bacigalupo 
SEVP, Commercial Banking

Mark N. Foster 
EVP, Regional Commercial Leader – 
Eastern Massachusetts and ABL

Tami M. Gunsch  
SEVP & Director of  
Relationship Banking

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

William J. Ryan 
Chairman of the Board,  
Former Chairman & CEO  
of TD Banknorth

Paul T. Bossidy 
President & CEO of  
Patripabre Capital LLC

David M. Brunelle 
Co-Founder and Managing Director 
of North Pointe Wealth Management

Robert M. Curley 
Berkshire Bank New York Chairman,  
Former Chairman & President for 
Citizens Bank in New York

John B. Davies 
Former Executive Vice President  
of Massachusetts Mutual Life  
Insurance Company

J. Williar Dunlaevy 
Former Chairman & CEO  
of Legacy Bancorp, Inc.  
& Legacy Banks

Scott J. Houghtaling 
EVP, Regional Commercial Leader – 
New York

Gregory D. Lindenmuth 
SEVP, Chief Risk Officer

Georgia Melas 
SEVP, Chief Credit Officer

Wm. Gordon Prescott 
SEVP, General Counsel and 
Corporate Security

Deborah A. Stephenson 
SEVP, Compliance and Regulatory

Gary F. Urkevich 
EVP, IT and Project Management

Cornelius D. Mahoney 
Former Chairman, President & 
CEO of Woronoco Bancorp, Inc. & 
Woronoco Savings Bank

Richard M. Marotta 
Chief Executive Officer  
of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

Pamela A. Massad, Esq. 
Of Counsel with Fletcher Tilton PC

Laurie Norton Moffatt 
Director & CEO of the  
Norman Rockwell Museum

Richard J. Murphy 
Executive Vice President &  
Chief Operating Officer of the  
Tri-City ValleyCats

Patrick J. Sheehan 
Owner & Manager of  
Sheehan Health Group

D. Jeffrey Templeton 
Owner & President of  
The Mosher Company, Inc.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.—BHLB  |  berkshirebank.com 

6

OFFICIAL BANK 
OF THE PAN-MASS 
CHALLENGE

Berkshire Bank has made 
a four-year commitment to 
support the organization’s riders, 
volunteers and donors in their 
efforts to make an impact in 
the fight against cancer. As part 
of Berkshire’s sponsorship, an 
employee team will participate 
in the weekend charity ride, 
and its nationally acclaimed 
corporate volunteer program, 
XTEAM®, will assist in various 
roles along the route.

PROUD SUPPORTER 
OF THE DIMOCK 
CENTER

Founded in 1862 as the New 
England Hospital for Women 
and Children, the Dimock 
Center heals and uplifts 
individuals, families and the 
community. Operating in 
Roxbury, The Dimock Center 
serves communities in Boston 
and across the state, providing 
comprehensive, holistic Health 
and Community Care, Behavioral 
Health Services, and Child and 
Family Services to more than 
19,000 people annually.

 
CORPORATE OFFICES
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
60 State Street
Boston, MA 02109
800.773.5601
berkshirebank.com

STOCK LISTING
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. is listed  
on the New York Stock Exchange  
under the symbol “BHLB”.

INVESTOR INFORMATION
Investor Relations
Attn: Erin Duggan
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
800.773.5601
investorrelations@berkshirebank.com

TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
Shareholders who wish to change the name, address, or 
ownership of stock, report lost stock certificates, inquire 
about the Dividend Reinvestment Plan or consolidate stock 
accounts should contact:
Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc.
P.O. Box 1342
Brentwood, NY 11717
844.458.9357
shareholder@broadridge.com
shareholder.broadridge.com/bhlb

2018 ANNUAL MEETING 
OF SHAREHOLDERS
Thursday, May 16, 2019 | 10 a.m. ET
Museum of African American History
46 Joy Street
Boston, MA 02114

This document contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform 
Act of 1995). There are several factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described 
in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such factors, please see Berkshire's most recently filed reports 
on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Berkshire does not undertake any 
obligation to update forward-looking statements. 

Banking  products  are  provided  by  Berkshire  Bank:  Member  FDIC;  Equal  Housing  Lender.  Berkshire  Bank  is  a 
Massachusetts chartered bank.

Insurance and investment products as well as investment securities and obligations of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, 
Inc. are not FDIC-insured, are not a bank deposit, “NOT guaranteed BY THE BANK,” “NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL 
GOVERNMENT AGENCY” and may lose value.