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8-K - CURRENT REPORT - BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP INCv209000_8k.htm


 Berkshire Hills Reports Solid Fourth Quarter Earnings Growth

Quarterly Dividend Declared

Pittsfield, MA – January 24, 2011 – Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. (BHLB) reported another solid quarter of earnings growth and strong asset quality metrics.  Core earnings per share reached $0.28 in the fourth quarter of 2010, representing growth of 12% over third quarter results.  Asset quality trends continued to improve and the loan loss provision covered net charge-offs.  For the quarter, GAAP earnings per share were $0.26 which included approximately $0.4 million in non-core charges relating to bank acquisitions.  Core and GAAP earnings for the fourth quarter 2010 were $3.9 million and $3.6 million, respectively.  For the year 2010, core earnings per share were $1.01, while GAAP earnings per share were $0.99.  The strong results for the quarter and year position Berkshire well for improving targeted earnings in 2011.

FOURTH QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (revenue and expense comparisons are to prior year fourth quarter, unless otherwise noted)

 
·
12% increase in core earnings per share compared to prior quarter
 
·
12% net interest income growth
 
·
18% fee income growth
 
·
17% annualized loan growth
 
·
26% annualized deposit growth
 
·
3.30% net interest margin, compared to 3.05% in the fourth quarter of 2009
 
·
1% decrease in core non-interest expense (1% increase with merger related costs)
 
·
0.59% non-performing assets/total assets
 
·
0.37% annualized net loan charge-offs/average loans
 
·
233% allowance for loan losses/non-accruing loans
 
·
1.49% allowance for loan losses/total loans

YEAR 2010 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 
·
11% net interest income growth
 
·
6% fee income growth
 
·
9% loan growth
 
·
11% deposit growth

BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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www.berkshirebank.com

 

 

Michael P. Daly, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We closed 2010 with our strongest quarterly core revenue growth of the year, on a seasonally adjusted basis.     Our results exceeded our expectations for the quarter and for the year, with strong business generation in all of our regions and very solid contributions from our new asset based lending and private banking teams.  This brought our full year core earnings per share to $1.01, before $0.02 in merger related charges.  We produced positive operating leverage throughout the year by combining revenue growth with expense control, including a 1% decrease in fourth quarter core expenses before merger charges.   Our asset quality has remained favorable, with improvements in major credit metrics in each quarter.  We also continued our New York expansion, with the opening of two new branches in the fourth quarter.  Our team has aggressively pursued growth and profitability initiatives in all business lines, producing high quality earnings and revenue growth for the year.”

“We recently announced agreements to acquire Rome Bancorp in New York and Legacy Bancorp in our hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.  We expect to complete these acquisitions by midyear 2011, bringing our total assets above $4 billion, with more than 60 branch offices, including 24 in our fast growing New York region.  These transactions are expected to be immediately accretive to earnings per share and offer the promise of strong investment returns, improved performance metrics, and higher market share.  We have opportunistically reached out to potential merger partners and have demonstrated to these companies that we are an attractive partner and that our stock is desirable merger consideration.  These announcements have been well received by the investment community, and we will continue to seek out profitable merger opportunities in and around our northeastern markets.”

OUTLOOK

Berkshire expects to produce core earnings per share in the range of $1.40 - $1.50 in 2011.  This would represent growth in the range of nearly 40 – 50% over 2010 core results.  Berkshire is targeting organic core revenue growth in the range of 6-9%, while core non-interest expense growth is expected to be limited to the range of 3-5%.  Asset quality metrics are expected to continue to improve, including further reductions in the rate of net loan charge-offs to the 25-30 basis point range.  Core earnings growth will also benefit from completion of the pending acquisitions of Rome Bancorp and Legacy Bancorp.  Berkshire is targeting a return to a $2.00 annualized core EPS run rate by the end of 2012.  The Company expects to record some non-core transaction costs related to these mergers as charges against GAAP earnings, but the accounting for these anticipated charges depends on timing and other factors which are presently indeterminate. Berkshire will provide additional information about its 2011 outlook in its conference call on January 25.

BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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DIVIDEND DECLARED

The Board of Directors maintained the cash dividend on Berkshire’s common stock, declaring a dividend of $0.16 per share to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 10, 2011 and payable on February 24, 2011.   The $0.64 full year dividend in 2010 provided a 3.3% yield based on the average closing price of Berkshire’s common stock in 2010.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets increased by 3% in the fourth quarter and by 7% for the year, ending 2010 with a balance of $2.9 billion.  Asset growth was driven by loan growth of 4% for the quarter and 9% for the year.  These increases were funded by deposit growth, which measured 7% for the quarter and 11% for the year.  Liquidity remained strong, with loans/deposits improving to 97%.

Commercial loan growth of $174 million (17%) accounted for most of the loan growth in 2010.  Berkshire continues to improve its market share with high grade loan originations in all of its lending areas.   Berkshire’s new Asset Based Lending Group contributed $98 million in net new outstandings for the year.  It has also expanded the lending geography and diversified the Company’s industry exposure with strong and established new commercial relationships that are well known to the Group’s seasoned lending team.  The Company’s consumer lending also remained strong; the residential mortgage portfolio increased by 6% and the home equity loan portfolio increased by 7% for the year.

The level and trend of asset quality remained favorable through year-end 2010.  Non-performing assets decreased to 0.59% of total assets and accruing delinquent loans were 0.31% of total loans at year-end.  Annualized net loan charge-offs decreased to 0.37% of average loans in the fourth quarter, bringing the full year charge-off rate down to 0.42%.

Total deposits grew by 7% in the fourth quarter and by 11% for the year 2010.  Transaction account balances increased by 7%, reflecting the ongoing emphasis on low cost relationship based balances.  Most of the deposit growth resulted from higher money market balances, which increased by 34% during the year, including the benefit of new commercial and institutional accounts in the fourth quarter.  Berkshire has promoted money market accounts in the current low rate environment, which resulted in some shifting of balances from time deposits, which decreased by 4%.  Berkshire’s new Private Banking Group, located in Springfield, contributed nearly $50 million to deposit growth in 2010.  Berkshire opened its 11th New York office in September, adding its second Albany branch, and opened its 12th office in Latham, New York at the end of the year.  The Bank is moving forward to open its next office, located in Rotterdam, New York during the first half of 2011.

Capital remained strong at year-end 2010, with equity/assets at 13.5% and tangible equity/assets at 7.9%.  Tangible common equity increased by 3% in 2010, rising to $15.27 per share at year-end.  Total common equity measured $27.56 at year-end, and was little changed during the year.

BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net income was $3.6 million ($0.26 per share) in the fourth quarter and $13.7 million ($0.99 per share) for the year 2010.  Results of operations were improved from a loss of $24.2 million ($1.75 per share) and $16.1 million ($1.52 per share) in the same periods of 2009, reflecting a higher loan loss provision recorded in last year’s fourth quarter.  Total pre-tax, pre-provision income increased by $6.4 million (32%) in 2010 compared to 2009, demonstrating the positive operating leverage from revenue growth and expense control.   The Company achieved this result while also absorbing the start-up losses of its successful expansion initiatives, including asset based lending, private banking, and de novo branches.  On a seasonally adjusted basis, revenue growth and profitability were the strongest in the final quarter, creating strong momentum for further gains in 2011.

Total core revenue increased by 13% in the fourth quarter and by 9% for the year 2010 compared to the same periods in 2009, reaching $108 million for the year 2010.  Revenue growth was primarily driven by higher net interest income, which increased by 12% in the fourth quarter and 11% for the year.  Net interest income was boosted by an increase in the net interest margin to 3.30% in the most recent quarter from 3.05% in the fourth quarter of 2009.   The margin improvement primarily reflected lower funding costs and included the benefit of borrowing and hedge restructurings and lower deposit costs.  The Company improved its margin while also maintaining its asset sensitive interest rate sensitivity, positioning it for further gains if interest rates begin to rise.  Interest income for 2010 also benefited from 6% growth in average earning assets between the first quarter and the final quarter, which primarily reflected the strong loan growth in the second half of the year.

Fee income increased by 18% for the fourth quarter and 6% for the full year of 2010 compared to 2009.  Full year results benefited from higher deposit, loan, and interest rate swap fee income, which offset lower wealth management and insurance fee income reflecting conditions in those markets.   Non-recurring charges to non-interest income in 2009 related to net costs of prepaying borrowings during the year.

The loan loss provision decreased for the quarter and the year in 2010 compared to 2009 due to last year’s fourth quarter loan initiative.  The provision slightly exceeded net loan charge-offs for both the quarter and the year in 2010.  Year-end 2010 loan loss allowance coverage remained strong at 1.49% of total loans and 233% of non-accruing loans.

Total non-interest expense decreased by 1% in the fourth quarter before non-core merger related charges, and increased by 1% including these charges.  Non-interest expense increased by 4% for the year.  Business expansion has contributed to expense growth, including the new asset based lending and private banking groups and de novo branches.  Compensation related expense increases have also included the restoration of incentive compensation and a decrease in compensation costs deferred or charged against non-interest income related to loan sales.  Expenses in 2009 included a special FDIC industry assessment totaling $1.3 million and professional services related to the loan initiative.  The 2010 effective income tax rate was 20% for the fourth quarter and 23% for the year.

BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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CONFERENCE CALL

Berkshire will conduct a conference call/webcast at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 to discuss the results for the quarter and guidance for expected future results.

Information about the conference call follows:

Dial-in:
877-317-6789
Webcast:
www.berkshirebank.com (investor relations link)

A telephone replay of the call will be available through February 1, 2011 by calling 877-344-7529 and entering conference number: 447156.   The webcast and a podcast will be available at Berkshire’s website above for an extended period of time.

BACKGROUND
 
Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting Bank(SM).  The Company has $2.9 billion in assets and 42 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, and Vermont.  The Company provides personal and business banking, insurance, wealth management, investment, private banking, and asset based lending services.  Berkshire Bank provides 100% deposit insurance protection for all deposit accounts, regardless of amount, based on a combination of FDIC insurance and the Depositors Insurance Fund (DIF). The Company currently has pending agreements to acquire Rome Bancorp, Inc. and Legacy Bancorp, Inc. For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601.
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
Certain statements contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Act”), notwithstanding that such statements are not specifically identified as such. In addition, certain statements may be contained in our future filings with the SEC, in press releases, and in oral and written statements made by us or with our approval that are not statements of historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Act. Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: (i) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, the payment or nonpayment of dividends, capital structure and other financial items; (ii) statements of our plans, objectives and expectations or those of our management or Board of Directors, including those relating to products or services; (iii) statements of future economic performance; and (iv) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Words such as “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “targeted,” “continue,” “remain,” “will,” “should,” “may” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements.
 
BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: local, regional, national and international economic conditions and the impact they may have on us and our customers and our assessment of that impact, changes in the level of non-performing assets and charge-offs; changes in estimates of future reserve requirements based upon the periodic review thereof under relevant regulatory and accounting requirements; the effects of and changes in trade and monetary and fiscal policies and laws, including the interest rate policies of the Federal Reserve Board; inflation, interest rate, securities market and monetary fluctuations; political instability; acts of war or terrorism; the timely development and acceptance of new products and services and perceived overall value of these products and services by users; changes in consumer spending, borrowings and savings habits; changes in the financial performance and/or condition of our borrowers; technological changes; acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the ability to increase market share and control expenses; changes in the competitive environment among financial holding companies and other financial service providers; the quality and composition of our loan or investment portfolio; the effect of changes in laws and regulations (including laws and regulations concerning taxes, banking, securities and insurance) with which we and our subsidiaries must comply; the effect of changes in accounting policies and practices, as may be adopted by the regulatory agencies, as well as the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, the Financial Accounting Standards Board and other accounting standard setters; changes in our organization, compensation and benefit plans; the costs and effects of legal and regulatory developments, including the resolution of legal proceedings or regulatory or other governmental inquiries and the results of regulatory examinations or reviews; greater than expected costs or difficulties related to the opening of new branch offices or the integration of new products and lines of business, or both; and/or our success at managing the risk involved in the foregoing items.
 
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR STOCKHOLDERS
 
The proposed transactions with Rome Bancorp, Inc. and Legacy Bancorp, Inc. will be submitted to their stockholders for their consideration, and Berkshire’s stockholders are also expected to vote on the Legacy transaction. In connection with the proposed mergers, Berkshire will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) a Registration Statement on Form S-4 for each of the two entities being acquired that will include a Proxy Statement of the entity being acquired and a Proxy Statement/Prospectus of Berkshire, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed transaction.  Stockholders are urged to read these documents when they become available and any other relevant documents filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information.  A free copy of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus for each entity, as well as other filings containing information about Berkshire Hills, Rome, and Legacy, may be obtained at the SEC’s Internet site (http://www.sec.gov).  You will also be able to obtain these documents, free of charge, from Berkshire Hills Bancorp at www.berkshirebank.com under the tab “Investor Relations” or from Rome Bancorp’s website at www.romesavings.com under the tab “Corporate Info” or from Legacy Bancorp by accessing Legacy Bancorp’s website at www.legacy-banks.com under the tab “Investor Relations.”
 
BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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Under the terms of the Legacy Merger Agreement, Legacy and its advisors are permitted to solicit and consider acquisition proposals from third parties from the signing of the agreement through January 31, 2011.  It is not anticipated that any developments will be disclosed by either party with regard to this process unless Legacy’s Board of Directors makes a decision with respect to a potential superior acquisition proposal.  There can be no assurance that the solicitation of proposals will result in an alternative transaction.
 
Berkshire, Rome, and Legacy and certain of their directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Rome Bancorp and Legacy Bancorp in connection with the proposed mergers.  Information about the directors and executive officers of Berkshire Hills Bancorp is set forth in the proxy statement for Berkshire Hills Bancorp’s 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 26, 2010.  Information about the directors and executive officers of Rome is set forth in the proxy statement, dated April 1, 2010, for Rome's 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A.  Information about the directors and executive officers of Legacy Bancorp is set forth in the proxy statement for Legacy Bancorp’s 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on March 25, 2010.  Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction may be obtained by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus documents regarding the proposed mergers when they become available.  Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This document contains certain non-GAAP financial measures in addition to results presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).  These non-GAAP measures provide supplemental perspectives on operating results, performance trends, and financial condition.  They are not a substitute for GAAP measures; they should be read and used in conjunction with the Company’s GAAP financial information.  A reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP measures is included in the accompanying financial tables.  In all cases, it should be understood that non-GAAP per share measures do not depict amounts that accrue directly to the benefit of shareholders.  The Company utilizes the non-GAAP measure of core earnings in evaluating operating trends, including components for core revenue and expense.  These measures exclude amounts which the Company views as unrelated to its normalized operations, including merger costs and restructuring costs.  Similarly, the efficiency ratio is also adjusted for these non-core items.  Additionally, the Company adjusts core income to exclude amortization of intangibles to arrive at a measure of the underlying operating cash return for the benefit of shareholders.  The Company also adjusts certain equity related measures to exclude intangible assets due to the importance of these measures to the investment community.  In the first quarter of 2009, the Company adjusted core earnings per share and core return on tangible common equity to be net of preferred stock dividends.  These measures were not adjusted in this manner in the second quarter of 2009.  The second quarter deemed dividend was a nonrecurring non-cash charge with no impact on stockholders’ equity and did not reflect a core economic event in the Company’s view.   Additionally, the Company held cash at near-zero interest rates in the second quarter while it awaited the approval of the U.S. Treasury to repay the preferred stock.  Accordingly, the preferred stock cash dividend and accretion charges were viewed by the Company as non-core one-time charges against income available to common stockholders related to the process of repaying the preferred stock.  Other significant non-GAAP adjustments in 2009 related to a terminated merger agreement, borrowings prepayments, and the termination of an interest rate swap.  Non-GAAP adjustments in 2010 were primarily related to expense charges related to the pending Rome and Legacy mergers.

# # #

CONTACTS

Investor Relations Contact
David H. Gonci
Investor Relations Officer
413-281-1973

Media Contact
Elizabeth Mach
Marketing Officer
413-445-8390

BHLB – Berkshire Hills Bancorp
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CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED

   
December 31,
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
                 
Cash and due from banks
  $ 24,643     $ 26,817     $ 25,770  
Short-term investments
    19,497       11,565       6,838  
                         
Trading security
    16,155       17,398       15,880  
Securities available for sale, at fair value
    310,242       315,213       324,345  
Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost
    56,436       57,476       57,621  
Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other restricted securities
    23,120       23,120       23,120  
Total securities
    405,953       413,207       420,966  
                         
Loans held for sale
    1,043       3,445       4,146  
                         
Residential mortgages
    644,973       638,829       609,007  
Commercial mortgages
    925,573       895,519       851,828  
Commercial business loans
    286,087       226,625       186,044  
Consumer loans
    285,529       293,136       314,779  
Total loans
    2,142,162       2,054,109       1,961,658  
Less: Allowance for loan losses
    (31,898 )     (31,836 )     (31,816 )
Net loans
    2,110,264       2,022,273       1,929,842  
                         
Premises and equipment, net
    38,546       37,858       37,390  
Other real estate owned
    3,386       2,900       30  
Goodwill
    161,725       161,725       161,725  
Other intangible assets
    11,354       12,072       14,375  
Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance
    46,085       38,170       36,904  
Other assets
    58,220       68,407       62,438  
Total assets
  $ 2,880,716     $ 2,798,439     $ 2,700,424  
                         
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
                       
Demand deposits
  $ 297,502     $ 278,165     $ 276,587  
NOW deposits
    212,143       213,734       197,176  
Money market deposits
    716,078       609,255       532,840  
Savings deposits
    237,594       220,564       208,597  
Total non-maturity deposits
    1,463,317       1,321,718       1,215,200  
Time deposits
    741,124       747,029       771,562  
Total deposits
    2,204,441       2,068,747       1,986,762  
                         
Borrowings
    244,837       293,812       291,204  
Junior subordinated debentures
    15,464       15,464       15,464  
Total borrowings
    260,301       309,276       306,668  
                         
Other liabilities
    28,014       37,501       22,413  
Total liabilities
    2,492,756       2,415,524       2,315,843  
                         
Total stockholders' equity
    387,960       382,915       384,581  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 2,880,716     $ 2,798,439     $ 2,700,424  

 
F-1

 

CONSOLIDATED LOAN & DEPOSIT ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED

LOAN ANALYSIS

   
December 31, 2010
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
Annualized Growth %
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Balance
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Quarter ended 
December 31, 2010
   
Year to date
 
                               
Total residential mortgages
  $ 645     $ 639     $ 609       4 %     6 %
                                         
Commercial mortgages:
                                       
Construction
    127       115       111       41       14  
Single and multi-family
    87       81       81       30       8  
Commercial real estate
    712       700       660       7       8  
Total commercial mortgages
    926       896       852       13       9  
                                         
Commercial business loans:
                                       
Asset based lending
    98       68       -       176       N/M  
Other commercial business loans
    188       158       186       76       1  
Total commercial business loans
    286       226       186       106       54  
                                         
Total commercial loans
    1,212       1,122       1,038       32       17  
                                         
Consumer loans:
                                       
Home equity
    226       225       212       2       7  
Other
    59       68       103       (53 )     (43 )
Total consumer loans
    285       293       315       (11 )     (10 )
Total loans
  $ 2,142     $ 2,054     $ 1,962       17 %     9 %

DEPOSIT ANALYSIS

   
December 31, 2010
   
September 30, 2010
   
December 31, 2009
   
Annualized Growth %
 
(Dollars in millions)
 
Balance
   
Balance
   
Balance
   
Quarter ended 
December 31, 2010
   
Year to date
 
Demand
  $ 297     $ 278     $ 277       27 %     7 %
NOW
    212       214       197       (4 )     8  
Money market
    716       609       533       70       34  
Savings
    238       221       208       31       14  
Total non-maturity deposits
    1,463       1,322       1,215       43       20  
                                         
Time less than $100,000
    369       376       382       (7 )     (3 )
Time $100,000 or more
    372       371       390       1       (5 )
Total time deposits
    741       747       772       (3 )     (4 )
Total deposits
  $ 2,204     $ 2,069     $ 1,987       26 %     11 %


N/M - Not Meaningful
(1)  Quarterly data may not sum to annualized data due to rounding.

 
F-2

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED

   
Three Months Ended
   
Years Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest and dividend income
                       
Loans
  $ 25,005     $ 24,869     $ 98,359     $ 101,705  
Securities and other
    3,364       3,502       13,918       13,771  
Total interest and dividend income
    28,369       28,371       112,277       115,476  
Interest expense
                               
Deposits
    6,121       7,419       26,316       32,614  
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
    2,153       2,956       9,014       13,266  
Total interest expense
    8,274       10,375       35,330       45,880  
Net interest income
    20,095       17,996       76,947       69,596  
Non-interest income
                               
Deposit, loan and interest rate swap fees
    3,996       2,978       14,266       11,198  
Insurance commissions and fees
    2,150       1,991       11,136       12,171  
Wealth management fees
    1,051       1,141       4,457       4,812  
Total fee income
    7,197       6,110       29,859       28,181  
Other
    586       613       1,300       1,705  
Loss on sale of securities, net
    -       -       -       (4 )
Non-recurring loss
    -       (2,071 )     -       (893 )
Total non-interest income
    7,783       4,652       31,159       28,989  
Total net revenue
    27,878       22,648       108,106       98,585  
Provision for loan losses
    2,000       38,730       8,526       47,730  
Non-interest expense
                               
Compensation and benefits
    11,093       10,269       43,920       38,280  
Occupancy and equipment
    3,043       2,953       12,029       11,614  
Technology and communications
    1,519       1,440       5,733       5,466  
Marketing and professional services
    1,520       2,643       5,186       6,549  
Supplies, postage and delivery
    453       523       2,088       2,610  
FDIC premiums and assessments
    887       796       3,427       4,544  
Other real estate owned
    184       104       311       281  
Amortization of intangible assets
    718       779       3,022       3,278  
Non-recurring expenses
    426       -       447       601  
Other
    1,572       1,689       5,566       5,348  
Total non-interest expense
    21,415       21,196       81,729       78,571  
                                 
Income (loss) before income taxes
    4,463       (37,278 )     17,851       (27,716 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    893       (13,075 )     4,113       (11,649 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 3,570     $ (24,203 )   $ 13,738     $ (16,067 )
                                 
Less: Cumulative preferred stock dividend and accretion
    -       -       -       1,030  
Less: Deemed dividend from preferred stock repayment
    -       -       -       2,954  
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 3,570     $ (24,203 )   $ 13,738     $ (20,051 )
                                 
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.26     $ (1.75 )   $ 0.99     $ (1.52 )
Diluted
  $ 0.26     $ (1.75 )   $ 0.99     $ (1.52 )
                                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                               
Basic
    13,890       13,817       13,862       13,189  
Diluted
    13,934       13,817       13,896       13,189  

 
F-3

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED

   
Quarters Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
Mar. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
(In thousands, except per share data)
 
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
Interest and dividend income
                             
Loans
  $ 25,005     $ 24,917     $ 24,490     $ 23,947     $ 24,869  
Securities and other
    3,364       3,546       3,473       3,535       3,502  
Total interest and dividend income
    28,369       28,463       27,963       27,482       28,371  
Interest expense
                                       
Deposits
    6,121       6,512       6,787       6,896       7,419  
Borrowings and junior subordinated debentures
    2,153       2,267       2,305       2,289       2,956  
Total interest expense
    8,274       8,779       9,092       9,185       10,375  
Net interest income
    20,095       19,684       18,871       18,297       17,996  
Non-interest income
                                       
Deposit, loan and interest rate swap fees
    3,996       3,279       3,575       3,416       2,978  
Insurance commissions and fees
    2,150       2,316       3,197       3,473       1,991  
Wealth management fees
    1,051       1,090       1,140       1,176       1,141  
Total fee income
    7,197       6,685       7,912       8,065       6,110  
Other
    586       230       51       433       613  
Non-recurring loss
    -       -       -       -       (2,071 )
Total non-interest income
    7,783       6,915       7,963       8,498       4,652  
Total net revenue
    27,878       26,599       26,834       26,795       22,648  
Provision for loan losses
    2,000       2,000       2,200       2,326       38,730  
Non-interest expense
                                       
Compensation and benefits
    11,093       10,870       10,960       10,997       10,269  
Occupancy and equipment
    3,043       2,988       2,963       3,035       2,953  
Technology and communications
    1,519       1,458       1,373       1,383       1,440  
Marketing and professional services
    1,520       1,253       1,116       1,297       2,643  
Supplies, postage and delivery
    453       520       542       573       523  
FDIC premiums and assessments
    887       893       874       773       796  
Other real estate owned
    184       100       -       27       104  
Amortization of intangible assets
    718       768       768       768       779  
Non-recurring expenses
    426       -       -       21       -  
Other
    1,572       1,244       1,432       1,318       1,689  
Total non-interest expense
    21,415       20,094       20,028       20,192       21,196  
                                         
Income (loss) before income taxes
    4,463       4,505       4,606       4,277       (37,278 )
Income tax expense (benefit)
    893       1,081       1,198       941       (13,075 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 3,570     $ 3,424     $ 3,408     $ 3,336     $ (24,203 )
                                         
Earnings (loss) per common share:
                                       
Basic
  $ 0.26     $ 0.25     $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ (1.75 )
Diluted
  $ 0.26     $ 0.25     $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ (1.75 )
                                         
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
                                       
Basic
    13,890       13,865       13,856       13,829       13,817  
Diluted
    13,934       13,893       13,894       13,858       13,817  

 
F-4

 

ASSET QUALITY ANALYSIS

   
At or for the Quarters Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
Mar. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
NON-PERFORMING ASSETS
                             
Non-accruing loans:
                             
Residential mortgages
  $ 2,174     $ 2,520     $ 2,251     $ 3,289     $ 3,304  
Commercial mortgages
    9,488       11,122       11,049       14,433       31,917  
Commercial business loans
    1,305       2,128       2,731       3,211       3,115  
Consumer loans
    745       616       498       672       364  
Total non-accruing loans
    13,712       16,386       16,529       21,605       38,700  
Other real estate owned
    3,386       2,900       2,900       3,250       30  
Total non-performing assets
  $ 17,098     $ 19,286     $ 19,429     $ 24,855     $ 38,730  
                                         
Total non-accruing loans/total loans
    0.64 %     0.80 %     0.82 %     1.09 %     1.97 %
Total non-performing assets/total assets
    0.59 %     0.69 %     0.71 %     0.92 %     1.43 %
                                         
PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES
                                       
Balance at beginning of period
  $ 31,836     $ 31,848     $ 31,829     $ 31,816     $ 24,297  
Charged-off loans
    (2,216 )     (2,121 )     (2,502 )     (3,846 )     (31,254 )
Recoveries on charged-off loans
    278       109       321       1,533       43  
Net loans charged-off
    (1,938 )     (2,012 )     (2,181 )     (2,313 )     (31,211 )
Provision for loan losses
    2,000       2,000       2,200       2,326       38,730  
Balance at end of period
  $ 31,898     $ 31,836     $ 31,848     $ 31,829     $ 31,816  
                                         
Allowance for loan losses/total loans
    1.49 %     1.55 %     1.58 %     1.61 %     1.62 %
Allowance for loan losses/non-accruing loans
    233 %     194 %     193 %     147 %     82 %
                                         
NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS
                                       
Residential mortgages
  $ (173 )   $ (110 )   $ 32     $ 56     $ (1,873 )
Commercial mortgages
    (811 )     (740 )     (1,474 )     (2,584 )     (23,024 )
Commercial business loans
    (733 )     (946 )     (485 )     571       (4,864 )
Home equity
    (42 )     (3 )     1       (35 )     (959 )
Other consumer
    (179 )     (213 )     (255 )     (321 )     (491 )
Total, net
  $ (1,938 )   $ (2,012 )   $ (2,181 )   $ (2,313 )   $ (31,211 )
                                         
Net charge-offs (current quarter annualized)/average loans
    0.37 %     0.40 %     0.44 %     0.47 %     6.21 %
Net charge-offs (YTD annualized)/average loans
    0.42 %     0.43 %     0.46 %     0.47 %     1.99 %
                                         
DELINQUENT AND NON-ACCRUING LOANS/TOTAL LOANS
                                       
30-89 Days delinquent
    0.26 %     0.28 %     0.20 %     0.30 %     0.35 %
90+ Days delinquent and still accruing
    0.05 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     0.01 %     0.01 %
Total accruing delinquent loans
    0.31 %     0.31 %     0.21 %     0.31 %     0.36 %
                                         
Non-accruing loans
    0.64 %     0.80 %     0.82 %     1.09 %     1.97 %
Total delinquent and non-accruing loans
    0.95 %     1.11 %     1.03 %     1.40 %     2.33 %

 
F-5

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

   
At or for the Quarters Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
Mar. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
                               
PERFORMANCE RATIOS
                             
Core return on tangible assets
    0.70 %     0.65 %     0.66 %     0.66 %     (3.49 ) %
Return on total assets
    0.51       0.49       0.50       0.50       (3.55 )
Core return on tangible common equity
    8.67       7.84       7.84       7.76       (37.31 )
Return on total common equity
    3.69       3.53       3.51       3.44       (23.26 )
Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent
    3.30       3.30       3.25       3.24       3.05  
Non-interest income to assets
    1.10       1.00       1.17       1.27       0.68  
Non-interest income to net revenue
    27.92       26.00       29.68       31.71       20.54  
Non-interest expense to assets
    3.03       2.90       2.95       3.02       3.11  
Efficiency ratio
    70.89       70.77       69.97       70.71       80.61  
                                         
GROWTH
                                       
Total commercial loans, year-to-date (annualized)
    17 %     11 %     9 %     - %     5 %
Total loans, year-to-date (annualized)
    9       6       6       4       (2 )
Total deposits, year-to-date (annualized)
    11       6       5       10       9  
Total net revenues, year-to-date, compared to prior year
    10       6       4       2       (8 )
Earnings per share, year-to-date, compared to prior year
    N/M       128       172       (11 )     N/M  
Core earnings per share, year-to-date, compared to prior year
    N/M       78       64       (11 )     N/M  
                                         
FINANCIAL DATA   (In millions)
                                       
Total assets
  $ 2,881     $ 2,798     $ 2,748     $ 2,705     $ 2,700  
Total loans
    2,142       2,054       2,020       1,981       1,962  
Allowance for loan losses
    32       32       32       32       32  
Total intangible assets
    173       174       175       175       176  
Total deposits
    2,204       2,069       2,040       2,037       1,987  
Total common stockholders' equity
    388       383       385       385       385  
Total core income (loss)
    3.9       3.4       3.4       3.3       (23.0 )
Total net income (loss)
    3.6       3.4       3.4       3.3       (24.2 )
                                         
ASSET QUALITY RATIOS
                                       
Net charge-offs (current quarter annualized)/average loans
    0.37 %     0.40 %     0.44 %     0.47 %     6.21 %
Non-performing assets/total assets
    0.59       0.69       0.71       0.92       1.43  
Allowance for loan losses/total loans
    1.49       1.55       1.58       1.61       1.62  
Allowance for loan losses/non-accruing loans
    233       194       193       147       82  
                                         
PER COMMON SHARE DATA
                                       
Core earnings (loss), diluted
  $ 0.28     $ 0.25     $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ (1.66 )
Net earnings (loss), diluted
    0.26       0.25       0.25       0.24       (1.75 )
Tangible common book value
    15.27       14.89       14.96       14.97       14.98  
Total common book value
    27.56       27.28       27.40       27.47       27.64  
Market price at period end
    22.11       18.96       19.48       18.33       20.68  
Dividends
    0.16       0.16       0.16       0.16       0.16  
                                         
CAPITAL RATIOS
                                       
Common stockholders' equity to total assets
    13.47 %     13.68 %     14.00 %     14.24 %     14.24 %
Tangible common stockholders' equity to tangible assets
    7.94       7.96       8.16       8.30       8.26  


N/M - Not Meaningful
(1)
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures, including all references to core and tangible amounts, appear on page F-9 and F-10. Tangible assets are total assets less total intangible assets.
(2)
All performance ratios are annualized and are based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.

 
F-6

 


   
Quarters Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
Mar. 31,
   
Dec 31,
 
(In thousands)
 
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
Assets
                             
Loans:
                             
Residential mortgages
  $ 639,470     $ 633,846     $ 636,009     $ 614,561     $ 620,105  
Commercial mortgages
    901,434       892,124       877,638       855,828       869,087  
Commercial business loans
    251,229       212,697       180,830       170,322       186,898  
Consumer loans
    288,782       296,827       302,928       311,409       319,087  
Total loans
    2,080,915       2,035,494       1,997,405       1,952,120       1,995,177  
Securities
    411,207       402,604       407,696       411,957       407,144  
Short-term investments
    13,658       13,865       10,505       7,420       14,293  
Total earning assets
    2,505,780       2,451,963       2,415,606       2,371,497       2,416,614  
Goodwill and other intangible assets
    173,386       174,124       174,887       175,711       176,482  
Other assets
    147,365       141,868       129,665       129,872       112,159  
Total assets
  $ 2,826,531     $ 2,767,955     $ 2,720,158     $ 2,677,080     $ 2,705,255  
                                         
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
                                       
Deposits:
                                       
NOW
  $ 210,487     $ 195,433     $ 196,387     $ 194,928     $ 192,693  
Money market
    635,745       612,106       598,007       542,185       540,539  
Savings
    232,494       219,701       221,196       223,722       212,402  
Time
    741,921       749,234       748,248       757,752       768,415  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1,820,647       1,776,474       1,763,838       1,718,587       1,714,049  
Borrowings and debentures
    292,416       288,467       266,860       280,102       272,997  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    2,113,063       2,064,941       2,030,698       1,998,689       1,987,046  
Non-interest-bearing demand deposits
    289,786       280,628       275,883       270,064       279,495  
Other liabilities
    36,490       34,158       25,148       20,494       25,972  
Total liabilities
    2,439,339       2,379,727       2,331,729       2,289,247       2,292,513  
                                         
Total stockholders' common equity
    387,192       388,228       388,429       387,833       412,742  
                                         
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 2,826,531     $ 2,767,955     $ 2,720,158     $ 2,677,080     $ 2,705,255  
                                         
Supplementary data
                                       
Total non-maturity deposits
  $ 1,368,512     $ 1,307,868     $ 1,291,473     $ 1,230,899     $ 1,225,129  
Total deposits
    2,110,433       2,057,102       2,039,721       1,988,651       1,993,544  
Fully taxable equivalent income adj.
    716       709       693       646       609  
 

(1)  Average balances for securities available-for-sale are based on amortized cost.  Total loans include non-accruing loans.
 
 
F-7

 

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.
AVERAGE YIELDS  (Fully Taxable Equivalent - Annualized)

   
Quarters Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
Mar. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
                               
Earning assets
                             
Loans:
                             
Residential mortgages
    5.01 %     5.17 %     5.26 %     5.31 %     5.32 %
Commercial mortgages
    4.91       4.74       4.96       4.94       4.87  
Commercial business loans
    4.83       5.86       4.99       4.88       5.30  
Consumer loans
    3.72       3.83       3.93       4.04       4.20  
Total loans
    4.77       4.86       4.90       4.91       4.95  
Securities
    3.94       4.19       4.09       4.06       4.01  
Short-term investments
    0.11       0.15       0.10       0.20       0.15  
Total earning assets
    4.60       4.72       4.75       4.75       4.76  
                                         
Funding liabilities
                                       
Deposits:
                                       
NOW
    0.35       0.32       0.35       0.39       0.40  
Money Market
    0.85       0.87       0.98       1.02       1.08  
Savings
    0.26       0.22       0.25       0.32       0.30  
Time
    2.36       2.59       2.68       2.71       2.88  
Total interest-bearing deposits
    1.33       1.45       1.54       1.61       1.72  
Borrowings and debentures
    2.92       3.12       3.46       3.27       4.30  
Total interest-bearing liabilities
    1.55       1.69       1.79       1.84       2.07  
                                         
Net interest spread
    3.05       3.03       2.96       2.91       2.69  
Net interest margin
    3.30       3.30       3.25       3.24       3.05  
                                         
Cost of funds
    1.37       1.48       1.58       1.62       1.82  
Cost of deposits
    1.15       1.26       1.33       1.39       1.48  
 

(1)  Average balances and yields for securities are based on amortized cost.
 
(2)  Cost of funds includes all deposits and borrowings.
 
 
F-8

 

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

     
At or for the Quarters Ended
 
     
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
Mar. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income (loss)
    $ 3,570     $ 3,424     $ 3,408     $ 3,336     $ (24,203 )
Adj: Loss on prepayment of borrowings, net
      -       -       -       -       2,071  
Plus: Other non-recurring expense
      426       -       -       21       -  
Adj:  Income taxes
      (78 )     -       -       (9 )     (866 )
Total core income (loss)
(A)
  $ 3,918     $ 3,424     $ 3,408     $ 3,348     $ (22,998 )
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets
      718       768       768       768       779  
Total tangible core income (loss)
(B)
  $ 4,636     $ 4,192     $ 4,176     $ 4,116     $ (22,219 )
                                           
Total non-interest income
    $ 7,783     $ 6,915     $ 7,963     $ 8,498     $ 4,652  
Adj: Loss on prepayment of borrowings, net
      -       -       -       -       2,071  
Total core non-interest income
      7,783       6,915       7,963       8,498       6,723  
Net interest income
      20,095       19,684       18,871       18,297       17,996  
Total core revenue
    $ 27,878     $ 26,599     $ 26,834     $ 26,795     $ 24,719  
                                           
Total non-interest expense
    $ 21,415     $ 20,094     $ 20,028     $ 20,192     $ 21,196  
Less: Non-recurring expense
      (426 )     -       -       (21 )     -  
Core non-interest expense
      20,989       20,094       20,028       20,171       21,196  
Less: Amortization of intangible assets
      (718 )     (768 )     (768 )     (768 )     (779 )
Total core tangible non-interest expense
    $ 20,271     $ 19,326     $ 19,260     $ 19,403     $ 20,417  
                                           
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
                                         
Total average assets
    $ 2,827     $ 2,768     $ 2,720     $ 2,677     $ 2,705  
Less:  Average intangible assets
      (173 )     (174 )     (175 )     (176 )     (176 )
Total average tangible assets
(C)
  $ 2,654     $ 2,594     $ 2,545     $ 2,501     $ 2,529  
                                           
Total average stockholders' equity
    $ 387     $ 388     $ 388     $ 388     $ 413  
Less:  Average intangible assets
      (173 )     (174 )     (175 )     (176 )     (177 )
Total average tangible common stockholders' equity
(D)
  $ 214     $ 214     $ 213     $ 212     $ 236  
                                           
Total stockholders' equity, period-end
    $ 388     $ 383     $ 385     $ 385     $ 385  
Less:  Intangible assets, period-end
      (173 )     (174 )     (175 )     (175 )     (177 )
Total tangible stockholders' equity, period-end
(E)
    215       209       210       210       208  
                                           
Total common shares outstanding, period-end (thousands)
(F)
    14,076       14,037       14,037       14,027       13,916  
Average diluted common shares outstanding (thousands)
(G)
    13,934       13,893       13,894       13,858       13,817  
                                           
Core earnings (loss) per common share, diluted
(A/G)
  $ 0.28     $ 0.25     $ 0.25     $ 0.24     $ (1.66 )
Tangible book value per common share, period-end
(E/F)
  $ 15.27     $ 14.89     $ 14.96     $ 14.97     $ 14.98  
                                           
Core return (annualized) on tangible assets
(B/C)
    0.70 %     0.65 %     0.66 %     0.66 %     (3.49 )%
Core return (annualized) on tangible common equity
(B/D)
    8.67       7.84       7.84       7.76       (37.31 )
Efficiency ratio (1)
      70.89       70.77       69.97       70.71       80.61  

(1)
Efficiency ratio is computed by dividing total tangible core non-interest expense by the sum of total net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis and total core non-interest income.  The Company uses this non-GAAP measure, which is used widely in the banking industry, to provide important information regarding its operational efficiency.

(2)
Ratios are annualized and based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.

(3)
Quarterly data may not sum to year-to-date data due to rounding.

 
F-9

 

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

     
At or for theYears Ended
 
     
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
   
2010
   
2009
 
Net income (loss)
    $ 13,738     $ (16,067 )
Adj: Loss on sale of securities, net
      -       4  
Adj: Non-recurring income
      -       (1,982 )
Adj: Loss on prepayment of borrowings, net
      -       2,875  
Plus: Non-recurring expense
      447       601  
Adj: Income taxes
      (87 )     (626 )
Total core income
(A)
  $ 14,098     $ (15,195 )
Plus: Amortization of intangible assets
      3,022       3,278  
Total tangible core income
(B)
  $ 17,120     $ (11,917 )
                   
Total non-interest income
    $ 31,159     $ 28,989  
Adj: Loss on sale of securities, net
      -       4  
Adj: Non-recurring loss, net
      -       893  
Total core non-interest income
      31,159       29,886  
Net interest income
      76,947       69,596  
Total core revenue
    $ 108,106     $ 99,482  
                   
Total non-interest expense
    $ 81,729     $ 78,571  
Less: Non-recurring expense
      (447 )     (601 )
Core non-interest expense
      81,282       77,970  
Less: Amortization of intangible assets
      (3,022 )     (3,278 )
Total core tangible non-interest expense
    $ 78,260     $ 74,692  
                   
(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
                 
Total average assets
    $ 2,748     $ 2,683  
Less: Average intangible assets
      (175 )     (178 )
Total average tangible assets
(C)
  $ 2,573     $ 2,505  
                   
Total average stockholders' equity
    $ 388     $ 412  
Less: Average intangible assets
      (175 )     (178 )
Total average tangible stockholders' equity
      213       234  
Less: Average preferred equity
      -       (15 )
Total average tangible common stockholders' equity
(D)
  $ 213     $ 219  
                   
Total stockholders' equity, period-end
    $ 388     $ 385  
Less: Intangible assets, period-end
      (173 )     (176 )
Total tangible stockholders' equity, period-end
(E)
  $ 215     $ 208  
                   
Total common shares outstanding, period-end (thousands)
(F)
    14,076       13,916  
Average diluted common shares outstanding (thousands)
(G)
    13,896       13,189  
                   
Core earnings per common share, diluted (1)
(A/G)
  $ 1.01     $ (1.20 )
Tangible book value per common share, period-end
(E/F)
  $ 15.27     $ 14.98  
                   
Core return on tangible assets
(B/C)
    0.67 %     (0.48 )%
Core return on tangible common equity (1)
(B/D)
    8.03       (5.73 )
Efficiency ratio (2)
      70.59       73.39  

(1)
December 31, 2009 EPS and ratios include a $637,000 reduction in core income and tangible core income for cumulative preferred stock dividend and accretion accumulated during Q1 2009. Preferred dividend charges recorded in Q2 2009 were deemed non-core due to preferred stock repayment.

(2)
Efficiency ratio is computed by dividing total tangible core non-interest expense by the sum of total net interest income on a fully  interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis and total core non-interest income.  The Company uses this non-GAAP measure, which is used widely in the banking industry, to provide important information regarding its operational efficiency.

(3)
Ratios are annualized and based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.

(4)
Quarterly data may not sum to year-to-date data due to rounding.

 
F-10