Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Brookline Bancorp merger receives regulatory approval

Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) and Brookline Bancorp (BRKL) have received all required regulatory approvals to complete their proposed merger of equals and become Beacon Financial Corporation. Berkshire and Brookline expect the merger closing to be completed effective September 1. Upon closing, the combined company will become a $24B regional banking franchise serving the Northeast with more than 145 branch offices. The regulatory approval process included approvals from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as well as the Massachusetts Division of Banks, NY State Department of Financial Services and Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation. Berkshire Chairperson David Brunelle will continue to serve as Chairperson of the Board for the combined company. Following the closing, the combined company will be renamed Beacon Financial Corporation and its common shares will trade on the NYSE under the symbol “BBT”. Clients will continue to be served through their respective Berkshire Bank, Brookline Bank, Bank Rhode Island and PCSB Bank branches, websites, mobile apps, financial advisors and relationship managers operating as divisions of Beacon Bank & Trust, commonly known as Beacon Bank. Over time, clients will begin to see a full transition to the Beacon Bank brand, along with integration of banking systems in Q1 2026.