Berkshire Bank Announces Environmental Business Initiatives

Company to consciously conserve, reduce energy and paper consumption

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Apr 22, 2015, 07:30 ET

PITTSFIELD, Mass., April 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (NYSE: BHLB), parent of Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank^®, has embarked on AMEB Green, a corporate initiative to become a more environmentally sustainable company. The program is focused on results that will impact Berkshire's social, environmental, and financial performance by engaging employees and customers in environmentally conscious behaviors.

"Environmentally friendly business delivers value to our clients, returns for our shareholders, and helps strengthen the economy," said Richard Marotta, Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative and Risk Officer. "AMEB Green was developed by a cross-functional committee of employees that looked at policies, products, operations and behaviors to identify goals and key steps to become a more environmentally sustainable company. I love that this initiative was spurred by employee suggestions, and has resulted in Berkshire's renewed commitment to the environment and our communities."

Berkshire Bank's AMEB Green strategies include:

Reduce paper consumption by 10% over the next three years by utilizing technology, promoting online banking solutions for our customers, promoting reusable products in our offices, and engaging employees and customers in behaviors that eliminate overall paper usage.
Reduce energy consumption by 10% over the next three years by implementing energy usage standards, temperature and thermostat regulation, and non-essential energy usage reduction.
Commit 15% of the company's volunteer service to environmental community causes as well as develop products that promote green banking options and implement recycling standards across the enterprise.
- In 2014, Berkshire Bank developed a campaign to move customers from paper statements to eStatements, in an effort to reduce their carbon footprint. The company's efforts were recognized by the New England Financial Marketing Association for the best "Green" marketing campaign in 2014 for encouraging e-Statement adoption.

To kick off AMEB Green, Berkshire Bank Foundation, the charitable arm of Berkshire Bank, made a contribution to the Arbor Day Foundation to plant one tree in honor of each of Berkshire's employees to celebrate the launch of the initiative. Over the next two weeks across their footprint, Berkshire employees are helping beautify parks, plant trees and clean up riverfronts to mark the launch of AMEB Green.

About Berkshire
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank^®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has more than $7 billion in assets and 98 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. In 2014, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of the Boston Bruins coverage on NESN.