Berkshire Hills Bancorp : Augstell Joins Wealth Management Team at Berkshire Bank

PITTSFIELD, MA, April 26, 2017 - Berkshire Bank announced today the further expansion of their wealth management enterprise with the addition of a premier financial advisor known for his investment acumen and wealth management capabilities. Stephen J. Augstell has joined Wealth Management as a Senior Financial Planner and Vice President, Wealth Advisor at Berkshire Bank.

Augstell brings over 27 years of industry experience, including his most recent position as the Regional Financial Planning Manager with Key Private Bank in Albany, where he served as a Senior Vice President/Team leader and Senior Financial Planner. Additionally, Augstell has served as a lecturer in finance at Siena College since 2010, as well as Vice President and Regional Consultant with McDonald Investments in Albany.

Augstell's new role includes serving Berkshire Bank's wealth clients in New York, Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Southern Vermont regions. Stephen will provide his extensive experience to wealth clients in preparing and implementing financial planning, as well as investment management services. Augstell is known as an excellent communicator of complex retirement and estate planning concepts, honing his skills through his teaching at Siena College.

"As we continue to grow in the Albany area, we are pleased to secure an accomplished professional with Stephen's experience, expertise and commitment to the community," stated Mary Ellen Cologero, Berkshire Bank Senior Vice President and Wealth Management New York leader. "His enthusiasm and experience assisting clients and helping them meet their financial goals is the type of partner we have been searching for as we expand our Wealth Management services. "We are fortunate to have Stephen join our team of experts and deliver the exceptional customer service our customers have come to expect."

Berkshire Bank Wealth Management currently has over $1.4 billion in assets under management and plans to expand its operations as the Bank continues to build its footprint.

Augstell holds a B.S. in Finance from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY and received a Master of Science with Honors in Financial Planning from the College for Financial Planning. Augstell holds the Certified Financial Planner designation from the College for Financial Planning.

Augstell's office is located at 30 South Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207. He can be reached by phone at 518-729-1449 and by email at saugstell@berkshirebank.com.

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About Berkshire Bank

Berkshire Hills Bancorp Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive

culture, has $9.3 billion in assets and 97 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing a network of financial services including personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. The company believes life is exciting, and we are driven to exist at the critical moments in our customers' life. Through providing our customers big bank resources with small bank attention, we help turn what is exciting to them into reality. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts' Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal in 2016. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of NESN's Boston Bruins coverage and the community partner of Boston Seasons at City Hall Plaza. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773- 5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Heidi Higgins AVP Marketing

hhiggins@berkshirebank.com (413) 236-3756