Berkshire Bank Establishes Boston Retail Branch Team

Key Employees Bring In-Depth Financial Industry Knowledge to Boston Market

Boston, MA, June 1, 2017 - Berkshire Bank is excited to announce its Boston retail banking team, which includes Greg DiMarzio as SVP, Regional Operations Leader, Julinda Sheshi as VP, Relationship Manager/MyBanker, and both Jon Wakim and Jaclyn Aubin as MyBanker-Customer Advisors. The recruitment of this experienced team for the Bank's new Boston branch at 121 Congress Street is pivotal in Berkshire Bank's continued immersion into the Greater Boston area.

"We view Greater Boston as a significant market for growth opportunities for Berkshire's retail banking, private banking and wealth management services. In addition, the new central location provides the opportunity for the retail team to work with existing commercial, Asset-Based Lending (ABL) and home lending teams," said Tami Gunsch, EVP of Retail Banking. "We have already secured over $200 million in deposits and over $1.5 billion asset base; we are excited about what the future holds for us in the Greater Boston market."

Berkshire's Boston-based retail team works in close collaboration with the Bank's Boston-based lines of business including Commercial, Asset-Based Lending, Home Lending Operations and Firestone Financial. The Bank announced on Monday, May 22, 2017 a definitive agreement to acquire Commerce Bancshares Corp., the parent company of Commerce Bank and Trust Company, a $2.2 billion bank with 16 branches in the Worcester, MA and Boston, MA markets. The combined institution will be the largest regional bank based in Massachusetts and the first with a Boston headquarters in decades. The Bank's relationships have allowed for continued growth including being the official partner for lending and deposit products for the Massachusetts Teachers Association, the exclusive managing member of the Costco Mortgage Services program, the community partner of Boston Seasons at City Hall Plaza with Delaware North and the Official Bank of NESN Boston Bruins coverage.

The appointments include DiMarzio, who brings over 17 years of financial experience, most recently of which was gained through serving as a Partner and Equity Analyst for Century Capital Management. In his new role as SVP, Regional Operations Leader, DiMarzio will be responsible for guiding the Boston team to assist in attaining desired profitability goals through the generation of new business in the Boston market. DiMarzio holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Boston College and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Partnering with DiMarzio is Julinda Sheshi, who has been in the financial industry for over 10 years, the last three of which were spent as a Relationship Manager with Santander Bank. As VP, Relationship Manager/MyBanker, Sheshi will provide proactive financial planning guidance as well as perks and priority service to everyone regardless of income, savings or wealth. She holds a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Project Management Certification from Boston University.

Completing the team as MyBanker-Customer Advisors are Wakim and Aubin, who will be essential in building and maintaining strong business relationships in the Boston market, assisting in all customer endeavors and supporting overall branch functions. Wakim's experience has been diligently focused in the financial industry, as a Head Teller at TD Bank and most recently as an Assistant Manager at Webster Bank. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management. Aubin is a recent graduate of Siena College, successfully completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with Honors this past December.

To connect with the Boston branch team, visit 121 Congress Street, Boston MA 02110, or contact Greg DiMarzio directly at 617-879-8407 or GDiMarzio@berkshirebank.com.

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About Berkshire Bank

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $9.3 billion in assets and 97 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies in 2016 by the Boston Business Journal. The Company has a pending agreement to acquire Commerce Bancshares Corp., the parent company of Commerce Bank and Trust Company, a $2.2 billion bank with 16 branches in the Worcester, MA and Boston, MA markets. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.