PITTSFIELD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) has appointed Robert M. Curley as a
Director of the Company. Additionally, Mr. Curley has joined the
Company's subsidiary bank, Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting BankSM,
as Chairman of its New York region. In this role, Mr. Curley will work
with the Bank's current leadership team to direct growth opportunities
in that market. Mr. Curley also has been appointed as a Director of the
Bank.
Mr. Curley is a well-known and highly respected banking executive. For
the period 2005 to 2009, he served as Chairman and President for
Citizens Bank in New York with approximately $20 billion in assets and
more than 200 branches throughout the state. Prior to joining Citizens,
Mr. Curley served at Charter One Bank where he was President for New
York and New England. During the period of 1976 - 1999, Mr. Curley was
employed by KeyCorp., where he rose to the position of Vice Chairman of
KeyBank N.A., and served as President and CEO of four subsidiary banks.
Berkshire President and CEO Michael P. Daly stated, "We are delighted to
have Bob Curley join Berkshire's Board of Directors and the Bank's New
York Region team as Chairman. Bob knows the Albany region as well as
anyone, and throughout his career he has been a successful leader of
bank teams that have excelled in serving their markets and building
market share. The New York region is our fastest growing region and an
important priority for our Company. Bob will work with Mike Carroll, our
New York Commercial executive and Kimberley Riggs, our New York Retail
leader, in business development and executing the Bank's growth plans.
We will welcome his contribution to the Company's Board of Directors,
sharing his leadership perspectives from more than three decades of
experience in guiding the development of large, successful financial
institutions."
Mr. Curley stated, "I'm pleased to join Berkshire's Board of Directors
and I look forward to working with our strong New York team to expand
our banking presence in this attractive market. It has been my privilege
to serve this market for many years, both personally and professionally
through active community involvement. Berkshire Bank has the people,
energy, and attitude that come together in a unique brand and culture to
engage with and serve our communities. I have enjoyed working with
fast-paced, growing banks throughout my career. When I evaluated my next
steps, the opportunity to be part of the Berkshire team was most
attractive. Berkshire has the strength and vitality to take a larger
position in providing financial solutions to our New England and
northeast New York markets, and I'm excited to be joining this dynamic
team."
Mr. Curley and his family are longtime residents in the Albany area.
Active in the community, Mr. Curley has served as Chairman of Catholic
Charities, Coaches vs. Cancer, Wildwood Programs, the Community Lending
Corporation, the Doane Stuart School, the Sports Foundation, the New
York Bankers Association Retail Council, the WMHT Great TV Auction, the
City of Albany's Neighborhood Revitalization Committee, and the annual
fund campaigns for both Junior Achievement and the United Way. He also
serves on the boards of Siena College, the New York Business Development
Corp., the Business Council of New York State, the Albany Local
Development Corporation, and the Center for Economic Growth.
BACKGROUND
Berkshire Hills Bancorp is headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
It has $2.7 billion in assets and is the parent of Berkshire Bank -- America's
Most Exciting BankSM. The Company provides personal and
business banking, insurance, investment, and wealth management services
through 46 financial centers in western Massachusetts, northeastern New
York, and southern Vermont. Berkshire Bank provides 100% deposit
insurance protection, regardless of amount, based on a combination of
FDIC insurance and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). For more
information, visit www.berkshirebank.com
or call 800-773-5601.
Source: Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Contact: Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Investor Relations Contact
David H. Gonci, 413-281-1973
Capital Markets Officer
or
Media Contact
Fedelina Madrid, 413-236-3733
Vice President - Marketing