<HTML>
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<TITLE>Form 8-K</TITLE>
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<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES<BR>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CURRENT REPORT<BR>
Pursuant to Section&nbsp;13 OR 15(d) of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 27, 2009</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD nowrap align="center" valign="top"><B>Delaware
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>0-51584
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>04-3510455</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction<BR>
of incorporation)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Commission File Number)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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<TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
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<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>24 North Street,<BR>
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
</B></TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top"><B>&nbsp;<BR>01201</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px">
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD valign="top" align="left" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of principal executive offices)
</TD>
<TD>&nbsp;</TD>
<TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
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</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt">Registrant&#146;s telephone number, including area code: <B>(413) 443-5601</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Not Applicable</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><FONT style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)</FONT></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">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: </DIV>

<DIV style="margin-top: 6pt">
<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">

<TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))</TD>
</TR>

<TR>
<TD style="font-size: 6pt">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR valign="top" style="font-size: 10pt; color: #000000; background: transparent">
<TD width="3%" nowrap align="left"><FONT face="wingdings" size="2">&#111;</FONT></TD>
<TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
<TD>Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio --><!-- /Folio --> </DIV>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;1.02 </B><U><B>Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement. </B></U>
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">On December&nbsp;19, 2008, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;) entered into a Letter
Agreement (the &#147;Purchase Agreement&#148;) with the United States Department of the Treasury (&#147;Treasury&#148;)
pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Treasury: (i)&nbsp;40,000 shares of the Company&#146;s Fixed
Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series&nbsp;A, par value $0.01 per share (the &#147;Series&nbsp;A
Preferred Stock&#148;), having a liquidation amount per share equal to $1,000, for a total price of
$40,000,000, (ii)&nbsp;and a warrant (the &#147;Warrant&#148;) to purchase 226,330 shares of the Company&#146;s common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the &#147;Common Stock&#148;), at an exercise price of $26.51.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">On May&nbsp;27, 2009, the Company redeemed the Series&nbsp;A Preferred Stock and returned to the
Treasury a total of $40,066,666.67, which includes the original investment amount of $40,000,000
plus accrued but unpaid dividends of $66,666.67. The return of the investment had the effect of
terminating the Company&#146;s continuing obligations under the Purchase Agreement, which agreement is
now terminated. The Letter of Transmittal for the redemption of the Series&nbsp;A Preferred Stock is
attached as Exhibit&nbsp;10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">The Company expects to notify the Treasury of its intent to repurchase the outstanding Warrant
for 226,330 shares of its common stock, subject to an agreed-upon negotiated repurchase price.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">During the period of its investment in the preferred stock of the Company, the Treasury
received cash dividends equal to a 5% annualized dividend rate on its investment. Additionally,
the Treasury will earn a profit on the anticipated repurchase of the associated warrant which the
Treasury received as partial consideration for its investment in the preferred stock.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01.
</B><U><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits.</B></U>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">(a)&nbsp;Not Applicable.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">(b)&nbsp;Not Applicable.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">(c)&nbsp;Not Applicable.
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; margin-left: 4%">(d)&nbsp;Exhibits.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
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    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

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    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Letter of Transmittal, dated May&nbsp;27, 2009, between the United States Department
of the Treasury and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
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</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt; text-indent: 4%">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.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left"><B>BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.</B><BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">DATE: May 29, 2009&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ Kevin P. Riley
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">Kevin P. Riley&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left" nowrap>Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; margin-left: .25in; width: 7.20in">

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 10pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head --><TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="77%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 10pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit No.</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Description</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom" style="padding-top: 1px">
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">10.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Letter of Transmittal, dated May&nbsp;27, 2009, between the United States Department
of the Treasury and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.</DIV></TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body --></TABLE>
</DIV>



<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">&nbsp;

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



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{"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": "09861748"}, "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"}}
Form 8-K
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 27, 2009
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 Number)
(IRS 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:
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.02
Termination of a Material Definitive Agreement.
On December 19, 2008, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (the "Company") entered into a Letter
Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with the United States Department of the Treasury ("Treasury")
pursuant to which the Company issued and sold to Treasury: (i) 40,000 shares of the Company's Fixed
Rate Cumulative Perpetual Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series A
Preferred Stock"), having a liquidation amount per share equal to $1,000, for a total price of
$40,000,000, (ii) and a warrant (the "Warrant") to purchase 226,330 shares of the Company's common
stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), at an exercise price of $26.51.
On May 27, 2009, the Company redeemed the Series A Preferred Stock and returned to the
Treasury a total of $40,066,666.67, which includes the original investment amount of $40,000,000
plus accrued but unpaid dividends of $66,666.67. The return of the investment had the effect of
terminating the Company's continuing obligations under the Purchase Agreement, which agreement is
now terminated. The Letter of Transmittal for the redemption of the Series A Preferred Stock is
attached as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company expects to notify the Treasury of its intent to repurchase the outstanding Warrant
for 226,330 shares of its common stock, subject to an agreed-upon negotiated repurchase price.
During the period of its investment in the preferred stock of the Company, the Treasury
received cash dividends equal to a 5% annualized dividend rate on its investment. Additionally,
the Treasury will earn a profit on the anticipated repurchase of the associated warrant which the
Treasury received as partial consideration for its investment in the preferred stock.
Item 9.01.
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Not Applicable.
(b) Not Applicable.
(c) Not Applicable.
(d) Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Letter of Transmittal, dated May 27, 2009, between the United States Department
of the Treasury and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.
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: May 29, 2009
By:
/s/ Kevin P. Riley
Kevin P. Riley
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
Description
10.1
Letter of Transmittal, dated May 27, 2009, between the United States Department
of the Treasury and Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.