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

Berkshire Hills Bancorp

bhlb · NASDAQ Financial Services
Claim this profile
Ticker bhlb
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Financial Services
Industry Banks - Regional
Employees 1001-5000
← All annual reports
FY2022 Annual Report · Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
A

P U R P O S E
P R O G R E S S
P E R F O R M A N C E
B H L B
2 0 2 2

U
A

N

N

L

R

E

P
O
R

nyse: bhlb

T

 
V T

maNcHeSter

NH

SyracuSe

NY

alBaNy

pittSfield

MA

BurliNgtoN

Boston

SpriNgfield

worceSter

RI

C T

Hartford

willimaNtic

provideNce

New HaveN

BERKSHIRE BANK 
AT A GLANCE

Berkshire Bank
(BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP | NYSE: BHLB)

»  Assets: $11.7B

Founded in 1846, the Bank sets itself apart as a leader in environmental, social and 

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (nyse: BHLB) is the parent company of Berkshire Bank. 

governance (esG) performance, demonstrating that corporations can deliver both 

financial returns and meaningful change to benefit future generations. It also differentiates 
through its DigiTouchSM strategy that combines extraordinary community bank service 

with convenient, user-friendly technology enabled through leading fintech partnerships.

OUR VISION

To be a high-performing, leading socially responsible community bank in  

New England and beyond.

OUR MISSION

To empower the financial potential of individuals, families, businesses and  

organizations by making banking available where, when and how it’s needed. 

OUR BRAND PROMISE

Where you bank matters.

»  Lines of business: Retail Banking, 
Consumer Lending & Payments, 

Commercial Banking, Wealth 

Management and Private Banking, 

as well as 44 Business Capital, 

Berkshire’s national, direct 

small business lending division 

providing sBA loans

»  Community banking footprint: 

100 financial centers, 150 
ATMs and MyTellerSM ITMs in 

Massachusetts, New York, 

Vermont, Connecticut and  

Rhode Island

»  Workforce: More than  
1,300 Berkshire Bankers

»  Headquarters: Boston

»  Founded: 1846 in the Berkshires 

in western Massachusetts

3

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. — BHLB | berkshirebank.com Where You Bank —  
and Invest — Matters

DEAR STAKEHOLDERS,

At Berkshire Bank, we firmly believe that when we stop getting better,  

we stop being good. That’s why we spent 2022 working tirelessly to  

build a better tomorrow — for our customers, employees, shareholders, 

communities and, by extension, for Berkshire Bank itself.

It was the continuation of a unique purpose-driven, values-guided comeback story 

centered around Berkshire’s Exciting Strategic Transformation (BesT) program. At its 

heart is the belief that where you bank matters, and the success of our franchise is 

intricately linked to the success of our communities and all stakeholders. For more than 

175 years, this has been part of our DnA. Today, this commitment to empower our 

stakeholders’ potential is the driving force behind all that we do and our efforts to fulfill 

our brand promise that where you bank matters.

We delivered robust improvement across target financial metrics in 2022 including 

return on tangible common equity (ROTCe) and return on assets (ROA), which are already 

at the low end of our BesT program 2024 targets. This in turn contributed to strong 

outperformance by our stock compared to the broad market and our industry. We 

returned more capital to our shareholders and, thanks to our strong capital position, 

remain well poised to support our strategically important initiatives for profitable 

growth in coming years.

We detail the meaningful progress we made last year in this report.  

Other noteworthy highlights from the year include:

•  Recognition as one of the top 10 most trustworthy banks in the United  

States in 2022 by Newsweek’s “America’s Most Trustworthy Companies.”

•  Recording our highest level of employee engagement, ensuring  

Berkshire remains a great place to work as evidenced by our being named one 

of “America’s Best Midsize Employers” in 2023 by Forbes.

Nitin J. Mhatre 
Chief Executive Officer

•  Solidifying the organization as a leader among socially 

responsible, sustainable and ethical businesses by earning 

a spot in the top 17% of U.s. banks and delivering the first 

U.s. public community bank holding company sustainability 

bond, important strategic distinctions that also drive our 

commercial performance.

letter continues »

2022 HIGHLIGHTS

»  7% total shareholder return;  
14% outperformance versus 
industry stock index (KRX)

»  50% increase in quarterly dividend
»  Newsweek’s “America’s  

Most Trustworthy Companies”

4

2022 Summary Annual Report» letter continued

As I write this letter, the American and global economies are experiencing inflation, 

W
H

E

R

E

Y
O
U

I N V E S T
M A T T E R S

slowing growth and disruption in the banking sector. Community banks play an 

essential role in the economic fabric of every community. No other bank in our markets 

can serve our customers and communities as well as Berkshire Bank and without 

community banks, many small businesses and neighborhoods would be left behind. 

Against this backdrop, we remain resolved to maintain our position of strength and 

progress toward our vision. 

Leading the way forward is a blend of seasoned and new members of our executive 

team and board of directors who are energized and ready to move forward with 

differentiated, responsible growth, all while keeping our customers squarely in the 

center of our plans.

We will constantly innovate to serve our customers better and more efficiently,  

so that we can continue to reinvest in our customer experience, our employee 

experience and our communities. In the coming months, we expect to roll out our new 

mobile app and online banking platform for consumers and small businesses that will 

help us to deliver a best-in-class digital experience, combined with the exceptional 

personal service and invaluable human connection that our Berkshire Bankers provide.

Despite the uncertainty in the broader economic environment, the steadfast 

commitment of our bankers to provide exceptional service to our customers continues 

to inspire me every day. We believe our differentiated approach and purpose-driven 

orientation provides us with a distinct advantage over our competitors. Working 

together with our stakeholders, we are committed to our vision to become a high-

performing, leading socially responsible community bank in New England and beyond.

Best regards,

Nitin J. Mhatre 

Chief Executive Officer

WHY BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP?

 » Demonstrated profitability 

enhancement

 » Conservative credit  

 » Robust capital position to 
support responsible growth

 » DigiTouchSM strategy 

culture and above-industry 

combining extraordinary 

credit quality 

 » Team bolstered with  

strong blend of new and 

seasoned executives and 

board directors
 » Disciplined expense 
management with  

revenue-focused 

investments

customer service with 

leading technology 
 » Leader in environmental, 
social and governance  

(esG) performance
 » Diverse and resilient 
customer and  

deposit franchise

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) rang the opening bell at the New 
York Stock Exchange (nyse) on Nov. 9, 2022, in celebration of the 10th 
anniversary of its nyse listing and its accelerating momentum toward 
becoming a high-performing, leading socially responsible community 
bank in New England and beyond.

3

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

E

R

K

S

H

L I N E S
S B U S I N E S S
O F

E

’

I

R

COMMERCIAL BANKING

RETAIL BANKING

Provides a full suite of commercial banking solutions with 

personalized and responsive service from experienced  

Robust network of community-based financial centers 
supported by our DigiTouchSM commitment to combining 

bankers across verticals such as Commercial Real Estate, 

extraordinary community bank service with user-friendly 

Commercial Middle Market and Business Banking. 

technology to provide a comprehensive offering of financial 

•  Differentiating strategic loan verticals, including  

solutions for consumers and small businesses. 

44 Business Capital (sBA) and Asset-Based Lending 

•  MyBanker: Free financial planning and single point of contact 

•  Specialties with high growth potential including  

for all your banking needs

family enterprise finance and nonprofit 

•  Growing specialty sectors, including small business, 

•  High average tenure of commercial bankers

•  Growth in originations and balances primarily driven  

by existing customers

nonprofit and Bank@Work 

•  Digital roadmap includes new best-in-class online and 

mobile solutions, MyTeller ITM network

•  Driving improvements in the customer experience  

through J.D. Power partnership 

» 13% loan growth  

Year over Year (YOY)

» 3% increase in average  

non-interest-bearing deposits

CONSUMER LENDING  
& PAYMENTS

WEALTH MANAGEMENT  
& PRIVATE BANKING

Delivers a full suite of residential mortgage and consumer  

Serves a diverse private banking and wealth management 

loan products across Berkshire’s New England and  

clientele, including individuals and families, nonprofits, 

New York footprint. 

•  Reengineered mortgage operations to drive efficiency;  

loans close in less than 30 days

•  Superior service, expertise and speed from  

foundations and endowments, and businesses with 

comprehensive investment, financial planning, and fiduciary 

services to meet their unique needs and objectives.

•  Launched Center for Women, Wellness and Wealth in 2022

highly productive mortgage bankers

•  Continued growth of socially responsible investing (sRI) 

•  Enhancing customer experience with revamped website, 

products launched in 2021

online and video chat functions 

•  Seasoned teams, tailored solutions, strong customer 

•  Deepening customer relationships,  

relationships, expanding addressable market 

and ~80% of mortgage customers new to bank 

•  Extensive capabilities in trust and estates, custody services, 

nonprofits and more

» ~$600M in mortgage lending  

by Berkshire originators

» $1.7B wealth assets  
under management

4

2022 Summary Annual ReportB

E

S

T

B E R K S H I R E ’ S
E X C I T I N G
T R A N S F O R M A T I O N
S T R A T E G I C

Berkshire’s Exciting Strategic Transformation (BesT) is our self-funded plan  
to evolve into a better and stronger Bank by enhancing the customer experience  
and stakeholder value while delivering profitable growth and strengthening  
our community impact.

PILLARS

Optimize

Digitize

enhance

Footprint, processes, 

Account openings, 

Profitable account 

procurement,  

products, pricing

customer journey and 

growth, customer and 

insights, marketing  

employee engagement, 

tech integration

capital management

ADVANCING ALONG THE  
BEST PATH TO HIGH PERFORMANCE 

Berkshire is advancing along the path to high performance under BesT, growing responsibly as we progressed 

across our BesT objectives to optimize, digitize and enhance in 2022.

StroNg improvemeNt  
iN key fiNaNcial meaSureS

•  18% growth in net interest income

•  Record fourth quarter earnings per share  

(ePs) of $0.69

returNed ~$150m iN capital
(dividends plus repurchases) in Fy22  

(~60% higher than Fy21)

acHieved BeSt goal
Top quartile score in environmental, social and 

•  Efficiency ratio, or expenses as a percentage  

governance (esG) performance, demonstrating our 

of revenue, of 64% (-565 basis points (BPs) yOy)

commitment to delivering both financial returns and 

meaningful change to benefit future generations

5

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

optimize

digitize

eNHaNce

•  Ongoing real estate rationalization 

•  Mobile app rating is up from 1.6 stars 

•  Enhancing customer experience 

and procurement activities 

in 2020 to 4.7 stars in 2022

through J.D. Power partnership 

•  Completed financial center 

•  Developing best-in-class online and 

•  Highest recorded level of employee 

optimizations (overall network 

mobile solutions for consumer and 

engagement through Mercer survey

reduced by ~25% from 2019)

small business customers 

•  Launched transformational  

•  Strong balance sheet bolstered by 

•  Completed foundational components 

marketing brand campaign,  

continued balance sheet de-risking

of digital transformation roadmap

Where You Bank Matters 

•  Enhancing data warehouse and 

•  Rolled out rewards and recognition 

building infrastructure for easier 

program and enhanced incentive 

application integrations

plans for employees

TARGETS & PERFORMANCE

best 3-year target fOr june 2024

10 – 12%

100 – 105 
BPS

$180M –
200M

TOP
25%

TOP
25%

ROTCE
Increase ROTCE
by 700 – 900 BPS

ROA
Increase ROA
by 75 – 80 BPS

PPNR
Increase PPNR
by $80M – 100M

ESG
Become top 
quartile bank by 
leading ESG
Indexes in U.S.

NPS
Become top quartile
Net Promoter Score
bank in New England

4Q22

FY22

FY21

FY20

9.8

8.9

7.7

3.2

%

100

89

70

24

BPS

180

136

102

109

$M

17

17

24

39

N/A

Percentile

Percentile

Financial information  
is non-GAAP data;  
please see back cover  
for more information.

6

2022 Summary Annual ReportF I N A N C I A L
H I G H L I G H T S

financial cOnDitiOn ($ MILLIOns — PeRIOD enD)

well pOsitiOneD vs peers

fy22

fy21

fy20

Total Assets

$11,663

$11,555

$12,838

Total Cash and Equivalents

685

1,628

1,558

Total Securities

2,033

2,549

2,223

Total Loans

Intangibles

Deposits

Borrowings

Shareholders’ Equity

8,335

6,826

8,082

24

30

35

10,327

10,069

10,216

126

954

111

572

1,182

1,188

Operating results ($ MILLIOns)

Net Interest Income

Non-Interest Income

Total Net Revenue

Provision for Loan Losses

Non-Interest Expense

Net Income/(Loss)

fy22

$345

69

414

11

289

93

fy21

$291

143

434

(1)

286

119

fy20

$317

66

383

76

840

(533)

100

Well Distributed Deposits 
(average account size,  
excluding retirement)

Above Average Liquidity 
(on-hand liquidity/liabilities)

Strong Capital — CeT1 Ratio 
(common equity tier 1 capital/ 
risk weighted assets)

BHlB

peerS

$29,100

$37,600

20.0%

13.0%

12.4%

11.7%

Higher Net Interest Margin 
(4Q22)

3.84%

3.67%

Note: Source is S&P Global Market Intelligence. 
Peer data is U.S. exchange traded banks with assets $7 – 25 billion. 
All data is peer median as of 4Q22.

tOtal cumulative stOck return 2021 anD 2022

200

150

BHLB

KRX**

ROTCE*

8.26% 10.80% (48.60%)

ROTCE Adjusted*

8.94%

7.74%

3.18%

50

0

2020

2021

2022

**KBW NASDAQ Regional Banking Index.  
Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence

per cOmmOn share Data ($)

fy22

fy21

fy20

Earnings/(Loss)

$2.02

$2.39

$(10.60)

Earnings Adjusted*

Dividends 

Book Value

2.19

0.54

1.69

0.48

0.60

0.72

21.51

24.30

23.37

Tangible Book Value*

20.95

23.69

22.68

* Note: ROTCE Adjusted, Earnings Adjusted and Tangible Book Value are 
non-GAAP financial measures; see Form 10-K for discussion and further 
detail. 2020 loss due to $554 million goodwill write-off expense. ROTCE 
stands for return on tangible common equity.

7

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. — BHLB | berkshirebank.com P E R F O R M A N C E
P U R P O S E   &
T H A T   M A T T E R S

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL & GOVERNANCE (ESG)

Since our founding in 1846, Berkshire  

capacity to invest more in our business, 

has been committed to empowering  

customers, employees, communities and 

the financial potential of our customers 

shareholders. 

and communities. Today, we are at  

the forefront of environmental, social  

We’re proud to be consistently  

and governance (esG) performance, 

demonstrating that corporations  

can deliver both financial returns  

ranked as one of the top u.s. banks for 
esg performance, a leader among 
community banks in integrating esG 

and meaningful change to benefit  

standards into business strategy and 

future generations.

operations, and one of the first banks in 

the country to establish a dedicated 

Our purpose and our esG activities drive 

committee of its board of directors to 

our commercial performance, creating 

oversee esg matters.

For more information 
on our ESG program 
and BEST Community 
Comeback, see our 
2022 ESG Report:  
berkshirebank.com/esg2022

BeSt commuNity comeBack

SuStaiNaBility BoNd

wHere you BaNk matterS —
traNSformatioNal BraNd campaigN

Berkshire’s $5 billion BesT Community 

Berkshire became the first u.s. community 

Comeback outlines how BesT will help 

bank holding company with under $150 

How your bank puts your money and its 

our communities by empowering our 

stakeholders’ financial potential in four 

areas critical to their long-term vibrancy 

billion in assets to issue a sustainability 
bond with a $100 million issuance in 
2022. The company intends to use an 

own resources to work in your community 

through investments and lending has 

a direct impact on ensuring a better 

and success: 

amount equal to the net proceeds to 

tomorrow for everyone.

•  Fueling Small Businesses

finance or refinance new or existing 

social and environmental projects such 

We bring this message to life in unique 

•  Community Financing and Philanthropy

as renewable energy and affordable 

and compelling ways with our new 

•  Financial Access and Empowerment

•  Environment 

BE S T   C o mmunity C

o

m

housing. Through the bond, Berkshire 

“Where You Bank Matters” marketing 

has already supported affordable 

campaign as part of our ongoing efforts 

housing projects in Berkshire County, 

to revitalize and sharpen the focus of  

e

b
a
c
k

Massachusetts, and 

our brand.

Some examples of  

$5B for local communities

Hartford, Connecticut, 

how it has helped so far: 

•  $1+ billion in lending to low- to 

moderate-income neighborhoods

as well as a green 

building project  

in greater Boston.

Berkshire Sustainable  
Financing Framework

June 2022

berkshirebank.com

watcH tHe 
tv Spot

•  $300+ million to support  

low-carbon projects 

•  $5.5 million in community 

contributions 

recogNitioN

8

2022 Summary Annual ReportL E A D E R S H I P
T E A M

NITIN  
MHATRE

preSideNt, 
cHief executive 
officer

SEAN  
GRAY

cHief operatiNg 
officer

LUCIA 
BELLOMIA

Head of retail 
BaNkiNg

JIM  
BROWN

Head of 
commercial 
BaNkiNg

JENNIFER 
CARMICHAEL

cHief iNterNal  
audit officer 

JACQUELINE 
COURTWRIGHT

cHief HumaN 
reSourceS aNd 
culture officer

ASHLEE  
FLORES

cHief compliaNce 
officer

DAVID  
ROSATO

cHief fiNaNcial 
officer

PHILIP 
JURGELEIT

cHief credit 
officer

GREGORY 
LINDENMUTH

cHief riSk officer

WM. GORDON 
PRESCOTT

geNeral couNSel 
aNd corporate 
Secretary

SUMANT 
PUSTAKE

cHief Strategy aNd 
traNSformatioN 
officer

ELLEN 
STEINFELD

Head of 
coNSumer 
leNdiNg aNd 
paymeNtS

JASON 
WHITE

cHief 
iNformatioN 
officer

9

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. — BHLB | berkshirebank.com B O A R D   O F
D I R E C T O R S

DR. SYLVIA MAXFIELD 

deaN of tHe provideNce college 
ScHool of BuSiNeSS

DAVID M. BRUNELLE

cHairperSoN of tHe Board,  
maNagiNg director of  
NortH poiNt wealtH maNagemeNt

BAYE ADOFO-WILSON, ESQ.

ceo of Baw developmeNt, llc

NITIN MHATRE

ceo of BerkSHire HillS  
BaNcorp, iNc.

NINA A. CHARNLEY

former SeNior maNagiNg director, 
eNterpriSe cuStomer experieNce 
executive at tiaa

LAURIE NORTON MOFFATT

director aNd ceo of  
tHe NormaN rockwell muSeum

JOHN B. DAVIES

former evp of  
maSSacHuSettS mutual  
life iNSuraNce compaNy

MIHIR A. DESAI

profeSSor of fiNaNce at  
Harvard BuSiNeSS ScHool  
aNd profeSSor of law at  
Harvard law ScHool

WILLIAM H.  
HUGHES III

preSideNt aNd ceo of  
educatioN deSigN laB

JEFFREY W. KIP

ceo of aNgi iNterNatioNal

KARYN POLITO

priNcipal, polito developmeNt 
corporatioN aNd former 
maSSacHuSettS lieuteNaNt goverNor 

ERIC S. ROSENGREN

former preSideNt aNd ceo of 
federal reServe BaNk of BoStoN

JONATHAN I. SHULMAN

former evp aNd treaSurer of 
keycorp

MICHAEL A. ZAITZEFF

co-fouNder aNd maNagiNg memBer of 
vm gp ii llc

10

2022 Summary Annual Reportcorporate officeS
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. 

60 State Street 

Boston, MA 02109 

833-BeRKBnK  

iNveStor iNformatioN
Investor Relations 

Attn: Kevin Conn 

traNSfer ageNt aNd regiStrar
Shareholders who wish to change  

the name, address or ownership of  

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. 

stock, report lost stock certificates, 

617-641-9206

inquire about the Dividend Reinvestment 

berkshirebank.com  »

investorrelations@berkshirebank.com  » 

Plan or consolidate stock accounts 

ir.berkshirebank.com  »

should contact:

Stock liStiNg
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., is listed  

on the New York Stock Exchange  

under the symbol “BHLB.”

Broadridge Corporate Issuer Solutions, Inc. 

P.O. Box 1342 

Brentwood, ny 11717 

844.458.9357

shareholder@broadridge.com  » 

shareholder.broadridge.com/bhlb  »

For more information 
on our ESG program 
and BEST Community 
Comeback, see our 
2022 ESG Report:  
berkshirebank.com/esg2022

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.

Investment  products  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. 

 Improvement over FY20 baseline, driven by BEST program over 3 years starting 3Q21.  ESG Index ratings are on an end of period 
basis: MSCI, ISS-ESG, Sustainalytics, Bloomberg.  All numbers on an adjusted basis.  4Q22 adjusted PPNR annualized  
($ million).   J.D.  Power  is  building  a  sample  size  to  rank  our  NPS  vs.  peers,  which  is  targeted  to  be  available  in  2023. 
See Form 10-K and 4Q22 earnings release for comparison of GAAP and adjusted data.