Berkshire Hills Bancorp to Sell Select Upstate and Eastern New York Branches

Rhea-AI Summary

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) announces the sale of 10 branches in upstate and eastern New York to three buyers, reducing its overall branch footprint. The sales include deposits, loans, and equipment, aiming to enhance efficiency and profitability. The transactions are expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2024. The CEO emphasizes the focus on core New York markets and long-term profitability, while the CFO highlights cost reduction and improved efficiency.

Market Research Analyst

The strategic divestiture of ten branches by Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. represents a significant consolidation effort within the banking sector. From a market research perspective, the reduction of physical branches aligns with broader industry trends where financial institutions are optimizing their branch networks in response to digital banking adoption. By concentrating on core markets, Berkshire is likely aiming to enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency in areas with higher growth potential.

The transaction's neutrality to the 2024 earnings outlook suggests a carefully balanced financial strategy. The preservation of capital through the avoidance of severance and real estate costs is a prudent move that could bolster investor confidence. Moreover, the commitment to retaining all associated staff could ensure continuity of service, which is crucial for maintaining customer relationships during such transitions.

Financial Analyst

The sale of branches, including associated deposits and loans, has immediate balance sheet implications for Berkshire Hills Bancorp. With approximately $485.5 million in deposits being transferred, there is a notable liquidity event. However, the management's statement that this will not materially increase borrowings indicates a stable liquidity position post-transaction.

Investors should note the emphasis on cost savings and long-term profitability. The reduction in the expense run rate may lead to improved net interest margins over time. This move could be seen as a reallocation of resources towards more profitable or strategic initiatives within the company's core markets. The absence of material impact on the 2024 earnings outlook might suggest that any potential revenue loss from the sold branches is expected to be offset by reduced operating costs and potential gains from the securities sale.

Legal Expert

From a legal standpoint, the sales are subject to customary regulatory approvals, indicating that the transactions will be scrutinized by financial regulators to ensure compliance with banking laws and regulations. The involvement of reputable legal counsel, Luse Gorman, PC and financial advisor RBC Capital Markets LLC, underscores the complexity and significance of these transactions.

Ensuring that the sales do not disrupt Berkshire's commercial banking business is likely a key legal consideration. The exclusion of commercial banking from the transactions helps mitigate risks associated with client retention and contractual obligations. Additionally, the commitment to offer employment to all associated staff suggests that the company is taking steps to comply with labor laws and potentially reduce the risk of litigation associated with employment disruptions.

• Enhances efficiency and profitability of the overall branch network
• Strengthens focus in core New York markets
• Combined branch and securities sale is neutral to full year 2024 earnings outlook

BOSTON, March 4, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary Berkshire Bank has entered into definitive agreements with three buyers to sell 10 of its upstate and eastern New York branches, consisting of eight offices in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady and Columbia counties, one office in Whitehall and one office in East Syracuse.  

The sales include approximately $485.5 million in deposits, $60.5 million of related residential mortgage and consumer loans along with all branch premises and equipment. The transactions exclude Berkshire's commercial banking business.

Hudson Valley Credit Union is purchasing eight locations in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Columbia counties, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company is purchasing one location in Whitehall and Pathfinder Bank is purchasing one location in East Syracuse. The buyers intend to offer employment to all associated staff. The sales are targeted for completion by the end of the third quarter of 2024 subject to customary regulatory approvals and associated system conversions. They reduce Berkshire's overall branch footprint from 96 to 86 locations.

CEO Nitin Mhatre stated, "Our announcement today is another step in our continued efforts to create efficiencies in our branch network so we can continue to invest in our bankers and client experience to further improve our long-term profitability. The proposed sales will concentrate our overall geographic footprint and lower our expense run rate, while strengthening focus in our core New York markets. The branch sales combined with a future securities sale will not materially increase borrowings and will be effectively neutral to full year 2024 earnings outlook."

Berkshire remains committed to the important core New York markets where it will continue to operate 16 branches. Berkshire clients at its remaining locations will continue to work with the same bankers as they did prior to the announcement.

"We continue to execute on opportunities to create efficiencies in our franchise," stated CFO David Rosato. "These transactions allow us to exit these branches without incurring severance or real estate costs while reducing expenses and contributing positively to our long-term profitability."

Berkshire's financial advisor for the branch sale was RBC Capital Markets LLC and legal counsel was provided by Luse Gorman, PC.

ABOUT BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent company of Berkshire Bank, a relationship-driven, community-focused bank that delivers industry-leading financial expertise to clients in New England and New York. With $12.4 billion in assets and 96 branches, Berkshire is headquartered in Boston and provides a full suite of tailored banking solutions through its Commercial Banking, Retail Banking, Consumer Lending, Private Banking and Wealth Management divisions. For more than 175 years, the Bank has delivered strength, stability and trusted advice to empower the financial potential of its clients and communities. Newsweek named Berkshire one of America's Most Trusted Companies and one of America's Best Regional Banks. To learn more about Berkshire Hills Bancorp visit ir.berkshirebank.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You can identify these statements from the use of the words "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "plan," "potential," "estimate," "project," "believe," "intend," "anticipate," "expect," "remain," "target" and similar expressions. There are many 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 recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

The branch sale is subject to regulatory approval and other conditions. Targeted financial benefits are subject to uncertainty and may be affected or offset by other conditions related to the Company's operations. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect our expectations only as of the date of this document. Berkshire does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

Investor Contact
Kevin Conn, Investor Relations
617.641.9206
KAConn@berkshirebank.com 

Media Contact
Alicia Jacobs, Corporate Communications
413.242.6540
Ajacobs1@berkshirebank.com 

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SOURCE Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.

What branches is Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) selling in New York?

Berkshire Bank is selling 10 branches in upstate and eastern New York, including eight offices in Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady, and Columbia counties, one office in Whitehall, and one office in East Syracuse.

Who are the buyers of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) branches in New York?

Hudson Valley Credit Union is buying eight locations, Glens Falls National Bank and Trust Company is buying one location, and Pathfinder Bank is buying one location.

When are the sales of Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) branches expected to be completed?

The sales are targeted for completion by the end of the third quarter of 2024, subject to customary regulatory approvals and system conversions.

How many branches will Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) have after the sales?

After the sales, Berkshire's overall branch footprint will reduce from 96 to 86 locations.

What is the financial impact of the branch sales on Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB)?

The branch sales combined with a future securities sale are expected to be neutral to the full year 2024 earnings outlook.