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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: left">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">UNITED STATES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">FORM 8-K</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
<U>May 31, 2012</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><U>BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
its Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">Delaware</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%; vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">0-51584</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%; vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">04-3510455</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">(State or Other Jurisdiction</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">of Incorporation)</P></TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; text-indent: 0in; tab-stops: 187.0pt; text-align: center; padding-left: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; text-indent: 0in; tab-stops: 187.0pt; text-align: center; padding-left: 0">(Commission File No.)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; text-indent: 0in; tab-stops: 187.0pt; text-align: center; padding-left: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">(I.R.S. Employer</P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0in">Identification No.)</P></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE ALIGN="CENTER" CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="width: 67%; vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-decoration: underline">24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; vertical-align: top; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 30%; vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-decoration: underline; text-align: center">01201</TD></TR>
<TR>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; text-indent: 0in; tab-stops: 187.0pt; padding-left: 0">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: top; padding-right: 0; text-indent: 0in; tab-stops: 187.0pt; text-align: center; padding-left: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="vertical-align: bottom; padding-right: 0; text-indent: 0in; tab-stops: 187.0pt; text-align: center; padding-left: 0">(Zip Code)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including area code:&#9;<U>(413)
443-5601</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><U>Not Applicable</U></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed
Since Last Report)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">[ x ]&#9;Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">[ ]<FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">&#9;</FONT>Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">[ ]<FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">&#9;</FONT>Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">[ ]<FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt">&#9;</FONT>Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 0.5in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in"><B>Item 1.01&#9;<U>Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">On May 31, 2012, Berkshire Hills Bancorp,
Inc. (&ldquo;BHLB&rdquo;) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the &ldquo;Merger Agreement&rdquo;) with Beacon Federal
Bancorp, Inc. (&ldquo;Beacon Federal&rdquo;), pursuant to which Beacon Federal will merge with and into BHLB and Beacon Federal&rsquo;s
banking subsidiary Beacon Federal (&ldquo;Beacon Bank&rdquo;) will merge with and into BHLB&rsquo;s banking subsidiary Berkshire
Bank.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Under the terms of the Merger Agreement,
50% of the outstanding shares of Beacon Federal common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.9200 of a share of BHLB common
stock for each share of Beacon Federal common stock and the remaining 50% of outstanding shares of Beacon Federal common stock will be exchanged
for $20.50 in cash. Beacon Federal stockholders will have the right to elect to receive cash or BHLB common stock as outlined above,
subject to 50% of Beacon Federal common stock receiving BHLB common stock in accordance with the proration and allocation procedures
contained in the Merger Agreement.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. The merger is currently expected to be completed in the fourth
quarter of 2012.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The directors and executive officers of
Beacon Federal have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement at the Beacon Federal stockholders&rsquo;
meeting to be held to vote on the proposed transaction. One member of the Beacon Federal Board of Directors will be appointed to
BHLB&rsquo;s Board of Directors in accordance with the Merger Agreement. If the merger is not consummated under certain circumstances,
Beacon Federal has agreed to pay BHLB a termination fee of $5.28 million.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The Merger Agreement also contains usual
and customary representations and warranties that BHLB and Beacon Federal made to each other as of specific dates. The assertions
embodied in those representations and warranties were made solely for purposes of the contract between BHLB and Beacon Federal
may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating its terms. Moreover,
the representations and warranties are subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be
viewed as material to stockholders, and the representations and warranties may have been used to allocate risk between BHLB and
Beacon Federal rather than establishing matters as facts.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">The foregoing summary of the
Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such document, which
is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Form 8-K and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A copy of a press
release dated May 31, 2012, announcing the merger is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.<FONT STYLE="color: black">
An information presentation with additional information about the merger will be posted on June 1, 2012 in the
Investor Relations section of BHLB&rsquo;s website at www.berkshirebank.com. BHLB has announced a press conference
call/webcast with investors and the financial community to discuss the merger at 9:00 a.m. eastern time on Friday, June 1,
2012. Persons may participate in this call by dialing 866-893-0890 and entering the code: 5762559 or may listen to the
webcast by selecting the related link in the Investor Relations section of the Company&rsquo;s website at
www.berkshirebank.com. </FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Additional Information for Stockholders</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">In connection with the proposed merger,
BHLB will be filing a registration statement containing a proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 and other documents regarding
the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the &ldquo;SEC&rdquo;). Beacon Federal stockholders are urged
to read the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available, because it will contain important information about BHLB and
Beacon Federal and the proposed transaction. When available, copies of this proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Beacon
Federal stockholders. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus may be obtained free of charge at the SEC&rsquo;s web site at http://www.sec.gov,
or by directing a request to Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Attention &ndash; Investor Relations Department, 24 North Street, Pittsfield,
Massachusetts 01201, or to Beacon Federal, 6611 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse, New York 13057 or on its web site at www.beaconfederal.com.
Copies of other documents filed by BHLB with the SEC may also be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site or by directing
a request to Beacon Federal at the address provided above.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">BHLB and Beacon Federal and certain of their
directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Beacon
Federal in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of BHLB is set forth in
the proxy statement, dated March 30, 2012, for BHLB&rsquo;s 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule
14A. Information about the directors and executive officers of Beacon Federal is set forth in the proxy statement, dated April
16, 2012, for Beacon Federal&rsquo;s 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Additional information
regarding the interests of such participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained
by reading the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0"><B>Forward-Looking Statements</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Certain statements contained in this current
report on Form 8-K that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about the proposed merger of BHLB and Beacon Federal and Berkshire Bank and Beacon Bank.
These statements include statements regarding the anticipated closing date of the transaction and anticipated future results. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words
like &quot;believe,&quot; &quot;expect,&quot; &quot;anticipate,&quot; &quot;estimate,&quot; and &quot;intend&quot; or future or
conditional verbs such as &quot;will,&quot; &quot;would,&quot; &quot;should,&quot; &quot;could&quot; or &quot;may.&quot; Certain
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include delays in completing the merger, difficulties
in achieving cost savings from the merger or in achieving such cost savings within the expected time frame, difficulties in integrating
Berkshire Bank and Beacon Bank, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic
conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the business in which Berkshire Bank and Beacon Bank are engaged,
changes in the securities markets and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that BHLB and Beacon
Federal file with the SEC.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-indent: -1in"><B>Item 9.01.&#9;<U>Financial Statements
and Exhibits</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 27pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">(a)</TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 27pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">(b)</TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 27pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">(c)</TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Shell Company Transactions. Not applicable.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 18pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 27pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">(d)</TD><TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Exhibits.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 1in; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Exhibit 2.1</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2012, by and between Berkshire Hills Bancorp,
Inc. and Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc.</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 2in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 1in; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Exhibit 99.1</TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Joint News Release announcing the merger, dated May 31, 2012</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 139.5pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: -103.5pt">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 36pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 103.5pt; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0"></TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: bold 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">SIGNATURES</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 42%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 55%; padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>
        <P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify">DATE: June 1, 2012</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Kevin P. Riley</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Kevin P. Riley</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="padding-right: 0; padding-left: 0">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
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[{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "filename": "v314959_8k.htm", "description": "FORM 8-K", "secsgml_size_bytes": 26355}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INC", "cik": "0001108134", "assigned-sic": "6036", "irs-number": "043510455", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-51584", "film-number": "12881834"}, "business-address": {"street1": "24 NORTH ST.", "city": "PITTSFIELD", "state": "MA", "zip": "01201", "phone": "4134435601"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "24 NORTH ST", "city": "PITTSFIELD", "state": "MA", "zip": "01201"}}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
May 31, 2012
BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
its Charter)
Delaware
0-51584
04-3510455
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File No.)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts
01201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code:
(413)
443-5601
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed
Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ x ]	Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ]
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01
Entry
into a Material Definitive Agreement
On May 31, 2012, Berkshire Hills Bancorp,
Inc. ("BHLB") entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger Agreement") with Beacon Federal
Bancorp, Inc. ("Beacon Federal"), pursuant to which Beacon Federal will merge with and into BHLB and Beacon Federal's
banking subsidiary Beacon Federal ("Beacon Bank") will merge with and into BHLB's banking subsidiary Berkshire
Bank.
Under the terms of the Merger Agreement,
50% of the outstanding shares of Beacon Federal common stock will be converted into the right to receive 0.9200 of a share of BHLB common
stock for each share of Beacon Federal common stock and the remaining 50% of outstanding shares of Beacon Federal common stock will be exchanged
for $20.50 in cash. Beacon Federal stockholders will have the right to elect to receive cash or BHLB common stock as outlined above,
subject to 50% of Beacon Federal common stock receiving BHLB common stock in accordance with the proration and allocation procedures
contained in the Merger Agreement.
The transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including the receipt of regulatory approvals. The merger is currently expected to be completed in the fourth
quarter of 2012.
The directors and executive officers of
Beacon Federal have agreed to vote their shares in favor of the approval of the Merger Agreement at the Beacon Federal stockholders'
meeting to be held to vote on the proposed transaction. One member of the Beacon Federal Board of Directors will be appointed to
BHLB's Board of Directors in accordance with the Merger Agreement. If the merger is not consummated under certain circumstances,
Beacon Federal has agreed to pay BHLB a termination fee of $5.28 million.
The Merger Agreement also contains usual
and customary representations and warranties that BHLB and Beacon Federal made to each other as of specific dates. The assertions
embodied in those representations and warranties were made solely for purposes of the contract between BHLB and Beacon Federal
may be subject to important qualifications and limitations agreed to by the parties in connection with negotiating its terms. Moreover,
the representations and warranties are subject to a contractual standard of materiality that may be different from what may be
viewed as material to stockholders, and the representations and warranties may have been used to allocate risk between BHLB and
Beacon Federal rather than establishing matters as facts.
The foregoing summary of the
Merger Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of such document, which
is filed as Exhibit 2.1 to this Form 8-K and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. A copy of a press
release dated May 31, 2012, announcing the merger is included as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K.
An information presentation with additional information about the merger will be posted on June 1, 2012 in the
Investor Relations section of BHLB's website at www.berkshirebank.com. BHLB has announced a press conference
call/webcast with investors and the financial community to discuss the merger at 9:00 a.m. eastern time on Friday, June 1,
2012. Persons may participate in this call by dialing 866-893-0890 and entering the code: 5762559 or may listen to the
webcast by selecting the related link in the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at
www.berkshirebank.com.
Additional Information for Stockholders
In connection with the proposed merger,
BHLB will be filing a registration statement containing a proxy statement/prospectus on Form S-4 and other documents regarding
the proposed transaction with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). Beacon Federal stockholders are urged
to read the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available, because it will contain important information about BHLB and
Beacon Federal and the proposed transaction. When available, copies of this proxy statement/prospectus will be mailed to Beacon
Federal stockholders. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus may be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site at http://www.sec.gov,
or by directing a request to Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc., Attention – Investor Relations Department, 24 North Street, Pittsfield,
Massachusetts 01201, or to Beacon Federal, 6611 Manlius Center Road, East Syracuse, New York 13057 or on its web site at www.beaconfederal.com.
Copies of other documents filed by BHLB with the SEC may also be obtained free of charge at the SEC's web site or by directing
a request to Beacon Federal at the address provided above.
BHLB and Beacon Federal and certain of their
directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Beacon
Federal in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of BHLB is set forth in
the proxy statement, dated March 30, 2012, for BHLB's 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule
14A. Information about the directors and executive officers of Beacon Federal is set forth in the proxy statement, dated April
16, 2012, for Beacon Federal's 2012 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A. Additional information
regarding the interests of such participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained
by reading the proxy statement/prospectus when it becomes available.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this current
report on Form 8-K that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about the proposed merger of BHLB and Beacon Federal and Berkshire Bank and Beacon Bank.
These statements include statements regarding the anticipated closing date of the transaction and anticipated future results. Forward-looking
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They often include words
like "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend" or future or
conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could" or "may." Certain
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results include delays in completing the merger, difficulties
in achieving cost savings from the merger or in achieving such cost savings within the expected time frame, difficulties in integrating
Berkshire Bank and Beacon Bank, increased competitive pressures, changes in the interest rate environment, changes in general economic
conditions, legislative and regulatory changes that adversely affect the business in which Berkshire Bank and Beacon Bank are engaged,
changes in the securities markets and other risks and uncertainties disclosed from time to time in documents that BHLB and Beacon
Federal file with the SEC.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements
and Exhibits
(a)
Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired. Not applicable.
(b)
Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable.
(c)
Shell Company Transactions. Not applicable.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit 2.1
Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 31, 2012, by and between Berkshire Hills Bancorp,
Inc. and Beacon Federal Bancorp, Inc.
Exhibit 99.1
Joint News Release announcing the merger, dated May 31, 2012
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
DATE: June 1, 2012
By:
/s/ Kevin P. Riley
Kevin P. Riley
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer