Merger of Equals Announcement

Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Brookline Bancorp, Inc. announced the signing of a definitive agreement for a merger of equals on December 16, 2024 ,under which the companies will combine. The merger brings together two leading companies to create a premier Northeast financial institution with approximately $24 billion in assets, $18 billion in total deposits, $19 billion in total loans and more than 140 branches across five states.

You will receive regular communication over the next several months via mail, email and other digital channels, and directly from our bankers. Make sure we have up-to-date contact information on file for you, including phone, address and email so you don’t miss any important notices. Visit your local office or contact us at 833-BERKBNK to confirm your information is correct.

The merger is expected to close in the second half of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of customary regulatory approvals and approval by the shareholders of each company.

Brookline Bancorp (NASDAQ: BRKL) is a multi-bank holding company for Brookline Bank, Bank Rhode Island, PCSB Bank and their subsidiaries. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the Company has $11 billion in assets and 65 branches throughout Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York.

The Company, through its banks, offers a wide range of commercial, business and retail banking services, including a full complement of cash management products, on-line banking services, consumer and residential loans and investment services designed to meet the financial needs of small-to mid-sized businesses and retail customers. The Company also provides equipment financing through its Eastern Funding subsidiary.

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 $11.6 billion in assets and 83 financial centers, 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.

The merger will allow both Berkshire and Brookline to increase their scale, enhance their performance and bring together two highly compatible cultures and geographic footprints to better serve you. The combined company will offer an expanded suite of financial solutions, larger branch network and more services than ever before.

In deference to the equal contribution both companies will bring to the new institution, the combined company and bank will operate under a new name and new brand, which will be determined prior to closing the transaction in the second half of 2025.

Berkshire and Brookline have largely complementary geographic footprints with limited branch overlap. As with any consolidation, we will communicate with you well in advance of any changes.

You will gain access to an expanded suite of financial products and services, a larger network of branches, increased lending capacity, more industry-leading experts and the technology to help you bank when, where and how you want. The company will also maintain the local decision making you’ve come to expect, all delivered by familiar names and faces you trust.

The bank will maintain its strong ties with its communities and will be better positioned to elevate its impact using the totality of resources that the larger organization will be able to provide. Berkshire and Brookline have longstanding reputations for strong corporate citizenship and that work will continue in the combined organization.

We’ve created a dedicated website that will include all merger-related information, FAQs and important resources to help ensure a smooth transition. The website can be accessed at berkshirebank.com/premiernortheastbank 

You can continue to bank as usual. There will be no interruption in access to your accounts or services at this time. Any changes in services, account access or technology would occur after the merger is finalized in the second half of 2025 and be communicated to you in advance.

We’ve created a dedicated website that will include all merger-related information, FAQs and important resources to help ensure a smooth transition. The website can be accessed at berkshirebank.com/premiernortheastbank 

Not at this time. You will be able to enjoy the extended network of branches in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York after the merger and any associated system conversions. We will provide more information in the future.

Please contact your banker directly, visit one of our branches, or reach out to our Client Contact Center at 833-BERKBNK.