Berkshire Hills reports increase in 2Q earnings; dividend declared

Vermont Business Magazine Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc (NYSE: BHLB), with branches in southern Vermont, reported second quarter 2017 net income of $19.7 million, or $0.53 per share. Core earnings totaled $21.6 million, or $0.58 per share. Net income was up 23% year-over-year, while core earnings grew 31% due to the benefit of business expansion. Net income per share increased by 2%, while core EPS increased by 7%. Net income was impacted by net non-core charges related primarily to acquisitions.

 (PRNewsfoto/Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.)SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS (comparisons are to prior quarter unless otherwise stated):

  • 4% increase in net interest income
  • 15% increase in fee income
  • 10% annualized commercial loan growth
  • 3.36% net interest margin
  • 0.25% non-performing assets/assets
  • 0.20% net loan charge-offs/average loans

CEO Michael Daly stated, "We had a strong second quarter, extending the operating momentum from the first quarter. We also conducted a successful stock offering and completed an agreement to acquire Worcester based Commerce Bancshares. These actions support our plan to cross the $10 billion asset threshold and provide the capital resources to accelerate our growth. Total assets increased at a 10% annualized rate in the first half, reaching $9.6 billion at midyear. We announced a planned move of our headquarters to Boston and are accelerating our business development in New England's largest and fastest growing markets."

Daly continued, "Our net interest income advanced and fee income grew by 15% to 32% of total revenue. Our strong and diversified revenue sources produced a 42% year-over-year increase in total revenue which now exceeds $400 million on an annualized basis. The resulting positive operating leverage led to the achievement of a profitability milestone, with core return on assets advancing to 92 basis points. GAAP return on assets was 84 basis points after non-core charges primarily related to merger activity."

Daly concluded, "Berkshire is seeing early success in our new Boston branch, bringing our brand of revolutionary banking to this market. Our Mid-Atlantic team announced a strategic alliance with the Princeton Advisory Group, which manages over $700 million in client investments. Our Wealth Management group recruited additional talent in Albany, NY. Berkshire's annual Xtraordinary Day of community service events engaged 92% of our team in completing 65 community projects. Across our footprint, we are reaching out for new market share and new opportunities to deliver on our franchise promise to all of our constituencies."

DIVIDEND DECLARED

The Board of Directors voted to declare a cash dividend of $0.21 per share to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 10, 2017, payable on August 24, 2017. The dividend equates to a 2.3% annualized yield based on the $35.98 average closing price of Berkshire Hills Bancorp common stock during the quarter.

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Total assets measured $9.6 billion at June 30, 2017, increasing at a 10% annualized rate in the first half of the year. The 10% annualized first half loan growth included solid growth in all major loan categories, led by a 13% annualized increase in commercial loans. Average loan yields improved and included the benefit of recent short term interest rate increases. Deposit growth was 4% annualized in the most recent quarter. Additionally, Berkshire issued 4.6 million shares and received $153 million in net cash proceeds from its May common stock offering. Together with additional borrowings, these sources funded the loan growth as well as a 3% increase in investment securities during the quarter.

At midyear, the ratio of equity/assets increased to 13.2%, from 11.8% at the start of the year. The ratio of tangible equity/assets increased to 9.2% from 7.6%. Book value per share increased to $31.37, while tangible book value improved to $20.96 per share. The ratio of loans/deposits increased to 102%. The Commerce acquisition is expected to further leverage the recently acquired capital and to also provide new deposit funding sources to improve liquidity and support loan portfolio growth. Delinquent and non-accruing loans decreased to 0.70% of total loans, and annualized net loan charge-offs remained at 0.20% of average loans during the quarter.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The growth in earnings and earnings per share included first year results for the First Choice operations acquired at the end of 2016, along with the full period benefit of other 2016 acquisitions. Most measures of revenue and expense increased year-over-year due to these business combinations. Per share earnings included the impact of shares issued as merger consideration and in the stock offering. Second quarter non-core charges were mostly merger related, including First Choice and Commerce.

Compared to the prior quarter, net interest income increased by $2.7 million, or 4%, supported by higher volume and margin expansion. The net interest margin increased to 3.36% from 3.33%. Measured before purchased loan accretion, the margin improved to 3.24% from 3.15%. The margin benefited from increased short term interest rates, higher prepayment penalties, and the first quarter balance sheet restructuring. The contribution from purchased loan accretion decreased to $2.6 million from $3.7 million.

Second quarter fee income increased by $4.4 million, or 15%, including a $3.6 million increase in mortgage banking fees, along with growth in other loan and deposit income. Mortgage banking revenues increased by 28% over the prior quarter due primarily to seasonally higher volume. Wealth and insurance revenues declined from seasonally high first quarter levels.

Second quarter non-interest expense decreased by $4.8 million, or 6%, compared to the prior quarter due to the restructuring charges and First Choice integration costs recorded in the first quarter. Core non-interest expense increased by $4.0 million, or 6%, primarily due to seasonal mortgage volume growth. The efficiency ratio remained unchanged at 62%. Full time equivalent staff totaled 1,756 positions at midyear, compared to 1,731 at the start of the year. The effective GAAP income tax rate was 29% and the core income tax rate was 30% in the most recent quarter.

INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL

Berkshire will conduct a conference call/webcast at 10:00 a.m. eastern time on Thursday, July 20, 2017 to discuss the results for the quarter and provide guidance about expected future results. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for the conference call using the following link: http://dpregister.com/10109526. Callers who pre-register will be given dial-in instructions and a unique PIN to gain immediate access to the call. Participants may pre-register at any time prior to the call, and will immediately receive simple instructions via email. Additionally, investors may reach the registration link and access the webcast by logging in through the investor section of Berkshire's website at http://ir.berkshirebank.com. Investors may also participate at the above time by dialing 1-844-792-3726 and asking the Operator to join the Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) earnings call. A telephone replay of the call will be available through Thursday, July 27, 2017 by dialing 877-344-7529 and entering access number 10109526. The webcast will be available on Berkshire's website for an extended period of time.

BACKGROUND

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting Bank®. The Company has approximately $9.6 billion in assets and 97 full service branches in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. The Company also offers mortgages and specialized commercial lending services in targeted national markets. The Company has a pending agreement to acquire Commerce Bancshares Corp., the parent company of Commerce Bank and Trust Company, a $2.2 billion bank with 16 branches in the Worcester, MA and Boston, MA markets.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This document contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are several factors that could cause actual results to differ significantly from expectations described in the forward-looking statements. For a discussion of such factors, please see Berkshire's most recent reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Berkshire does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

In connection with the proposed merger, Berkshire will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") a Registration Statement on Form S-4 that will include a Proxy Statement of Commerce and a Prospectus of Berkshire, as well as other relevant documents concerning the proposed merger. Investors and stockholders are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement/Prospectus regarding the proposed merger when it becomes 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 Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus, as well as other filings containing information about Berkshire and Commerce, when they become available, may be obtained at the SEC's Internet site (www.sec.gov). Copies of the Registration Statement and Proxy Statement/Prospectus (when they become available) and the filings that will be incorporated by reference therein may also be obtained, free of charge, from Berkshire's website at ir.berkshirebank.com or by contacting Berkshire Investor Relations at 413-236-3149 or William Burke at Commerce at 508-797-6996.

PARTICIPANTS IN SOLICITATION

Berkshire and Commerce and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the stockholders of Commerce in connection with the proposed merger. Information about the directors and executive officers of Berkshire is set forth in the proxy statement for Berkshire's 2017 annual meeting of stockholders, as filed with the SEC on a Schedule 14A on April 7, 2017. Information about the directors and executive officers of Commerce will be set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. Additional information regarding the interests of those participants and other persons who may be deemed participants in the transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, may be obtained by reading the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other relevant documents regarding the proposed merger to be filed with the SEC (when they become available). Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

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 on page F-9 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 items which the Company does not view as related to its normalized operations. These items primarily include securities gains/losses, merger costs, and restructuring costs. Charges related to merger and acquisition activity consist primarily of severance/benefit related expenses, contract termination costs, systems conversion costs, variable compensation expenses, and professional fees. These charges are related to the following business combinations: First Choice Bank, 44 Business Capital, financial planning assets, and Commerce. Restructuring costs generally consist of costs and losses associated with the disposition of assets and liabilities and lease terminations, including costs related to branch sales. Additionally, the Company recorded charges for hedge terminations in the first quarter of 2017 and legal settlement costs in the second quarter of 2017.

Non-core adjustments are presented net of an adjustment for income tax expense. This adjustment is determined as the difference between the GAAP tax rate and the effective tax rate applicable to core income. The efficiency ratio is adjusted for non-core revenue and expense items and for tax preference items. The Company also calculates measures related to tangible equity, which adjust equity (and assets where applicable) to exclude intangible assets due to the importance of these measures to the investment community. Of note, following systems upgrades, non-material revisions were made in the first quarter of 2017 to the calculations of the net interest margin and efficiency ratio and prior period measures were revised to include these changes.

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - UNAUDITED - (F-1)

At or for the Quarters Ended (2)

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

2017

2017

2016 (3)

2016

2016 (4)

PER SHARE DATA

Net earnings, diluted

$ 0.53

$ 0.44

$ 0.32

$ 0.53

$ 0.52

Core earnings, diluted (1)

0.58

0.55

0.56

0.57

0.54

Total book value

31.37

30.77

30.65

29.97

29.64

Tangible book value (5)

20.96

18.97

18.81

18.78

18.44

Market price at period end

35.15

36.05

36.85

27.71

26.92

Dividends

0.21

0.21

0.20

0.20

0.20

PERFORMANCE RATIOS (6)

Return on assets

0.84

%

0.68

%

0.50

%

0.82

%

0.82

%

Core return on assets (1)

0.92

0.85

0.87

0.88

0.85

Return on equity

6.80

5.71

4.29

7.29

7.17

Core return on equity (1)

7.45

7.17

7.49

7.75

7.42

Core return on tangible equity (1)

11.96

12.05

12.23

12.99

12.45

Net interest margin, fully taxable equivalent (FTE) (7)

3.36

3.33

3.21

3.27

3.32

Net interest margin (FTE), excluding purchased loan accretion (5)

3.24

3.15

3.11

3.15

3.21

Fee income/Net interest and fee income

32.23

30.04

24.99

23.81

21.16

Efficiency ratio (5)

61.72

61.94

58.42

57.32

58.11

GROWTH (Year-to-date)

Total commercial loans (annualized)

13

%

15

%

18

%

9

%

11

%

Total loans (annualized)

10

6

14

7

10

Total deposits (annualized)

3

2

18

4

2

Total net revenues (compared to prior year)

40

39

11

13

14

Earnings per share (compared to prior year)

(8)

(15)

9

31

48

Core earnings per share (compared to prior year)(1)

5

2

4

6

5

FINANCIAL DATA (in millions)

Total assets

$ 9,627

$ 9,298

$ 9,163

$ 7,931

$ 8,044

Total earning assets

8,807

8,486

8,340

7,229

7,327

Total investments

1,796

1,740

1,670

1,162

1,304

Total loans

6,864

6,656

6,550

6,047

6,000

Allowance for loan losses

47

46

44

43

41

Total intangible assets

421

422

423

348

349

Total deposits

6,715

6,656

6,622

5,750

5,657

Total shareholders' equity

1,268

1,100

1,093

933

923

Net income

19.7

15.5

10.3

16.4

16.0

Core income (1)

21.6

19.4

18.0

17.4

16.5

ASSET QUALITY AND CONDITION RATIOS

Net charge-offs (current quarter annualized)/average loans

0.20

%

0.20

%

0.21

%

0.20

%

0.22

%

Total non-performing assets/total assets

0.25

0.27

0.24

0.26

0.26

Allowance for loan losses/total loans

0.69

0.69

0.67

0.71

0.69

Loans/deposits

102

100

99

105

106

Shareholders' equity to total assets

13.17

11.83

11.93

11.76

11.48

Tangible shareholders' equity to tangible assets (5)

9.20

7.64

7.68

7.70

7.46

(1)

Core measurements are non-GAAP financial measures that are adjusted to exclude net non-core charges primarily related to acquisitions and

restructuring activities. See pages F-9 and F-10 for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures.

(2)

Reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures, including all references to core and tangible amounts, appear on pages F-9 and F-10.

(3)

The Company acquired First Choice Bank on December 2, 2016.

(4)

The Company acquired certain assets and operations related to 44 Business Capital on April 29, 2016.

(5)

Non-GAAP financial measure. See pages F-9 and F-10 for reconciliations of non-GAAP financial measures.

(6)

All performance ratios are annualized and are based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable.

(7)

Fully taxable equivalent considers the impact of tax advantaged investment securities and loans.

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED - (F-2)

June 30,

March 31,

December 31,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

Assets

Cash and due from banks

$ 78,407

$ 67,580

$ 71,494

Short-term investments

23,426

25,763

41,581

Total cash and short-term investments

101,833

93,343

113,075

Trading security

12,837

12,966

13,229

Securities available for sale, at fair value

1,329,993

1,293,683

1,209,537

Securities held to maturity, at amortized cost

350,992

331,179

334,368

Federal Home Loan Bank stock and other restricted securities

78,874

76,407

71,112

Total securities

1,772,696

1,714,235

1,628,246

Loans held for sale, at fair value

146,482

89,741

120,673

Commercial real estate

2,689,522

2,673,363

2,616,438

Commercial and industrial loans

1,227,936

1,146,125

1,062,038

Residential mortgages

1,934,068

1,850,684

1,893,131

Consumer loans

1,012,956

985,761

978,180

Total loans

6,864,482

6,655,933

6,549,787

Less: Allowance for loan losses

(47,359)

(45,804)

(43,998)

Net loans

6,817,123

6,610,129

6,505,789

Premises and equipment, net

94,354

95,203

93,215

Other real estate owned

279

71

151

Goodwill

403,106

403,106

403,106

Other intangible assets

17,874

18,644

19,445

Cash surrender value of bank-owned life insurance

140,135

139,914

139,257

Deferred tax asset, net

40,948

42,403

41,128

Other assets

92,441

91,119

98,457

Total assets

$ 9,627,271

$ 9,297,908

$ 9,162,542

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

Demand deposits

$ 1,179,456

$ 1,194,633

$ 1,278,875

NOW deposits

574,661

562,743

570,583

Money market deposits

1,790,173

1,819,403

1,781,605

Savings deposits

669,617

660,007

657,486

Time deposits

2,500,947

2,419,268

2,333,543

Total deposits

6,714,854

6,656,054

6,622,092

Senior borrowings

1,382,974

1,294,721

1,224,836

Subordinated borrowings

89,250

89,206

89,161

Total borrowings

1,472,224

1,383,927

1,313,997

Other liabilities

171,999

158,374

133,155

Total liabilities

8,359,077

8,198,355

8,069,244

Total common shareholders' equity

1,268,194

1,099,553

1,093,298

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 9,627,271

$ 9,297,908

$ 9,162,542

Net shares outstanding

40,428

35,729

35,673

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED LOAN & DEPOSIT ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED - (F-3)

LOAN ANALYSIS

Annualized Growth %

(in millions)

June 30, 2017
Balance

March 31, 2017
Balance

December 31, 2016
Balance

Quarter ended
June 30, 2017

Year to Date

Commercial real estate - construction

$ 291

$ 306

$ 288

(19)

%

3

%

Commercial real estate - other

2,398

2,367

2,329

5

6

Total commercial real estate

2,689

2,673

2,617

2

5

Commercial and industrial loans

1,228

1,146

1,062

29

31

Total commercial loans

3,917

3,819

3,679

10

13

Total residential mortgages

1,934

1,851

1,893

18

4

Home equity

388

390

394

(2)

(3)

Auto and other

625

596

584

19

14

Total consumer loans

1,013

986

978

11

7

Total loans

$ 6,864

$ 6,656

$ 6,550

13

%

10

%

DEPOSIT ANALYSIS

Annualized Growth %

(in millions)

June 30, 2017
Balance

March 31, 2017
Balance

December 31, 2016
Balance

Quarter ended June 30, 2017

Year to Date

Demand

$ 1,179

$ 1,195

$ 1,279

(5)

%

(16)

%

NOW

575

563

571

9

1

Money market

1,790

1,819

1,782

(6)

1

Savings

670

660

657

6

4

Time deposits

2,501

2,419

2,333

14

14

Total deposits

$ 6,715

$ 6,656

$ 6,622

4

%

3

%

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED - (F-4)

Three Months Ended

Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2017

2016

2017

2016

Interest and dividend income

Loans

$ 71,983

$ 59,703

$ 140,926

$ 118,145

Securities and other

12,683

9,315

24,449

19,349

Total interest and dividend income

84,666

69,018

165,375

137,494

Interest expense

Deposits

9,971

7,378

19,069

14,537

Borrowings

5,150

4,199

9,875

7,819

Total interest expense

15,121

11,577

28,944

22,356

Net interest income

69,545

57,441

136,431

115,138

Non-interest income

Mortgage banking originations

16,281

1,335

28,959

2,156

Loan related income

5,275

2,898

9,454

5,944

Deposit related fees

6,645

6,291

12,849

12,400

Insurance commissions and fees

2,588

2,660

5,724

5,553

Wealth management fees

2,286

2,235

4,812

4,737

Total fee income

33,075

15,419

61,798

30,790

Other

(276)

(851)

(183)

(628)

Securities (losses) gains, net

(1)

(13)

12,569

23

Loss on termination of hedges

-

-

(6,629)

-

Total non-interest income

32,798

14,555

67,555

30,185

Total net revenue

102,343

71,996

203,986

145,323

Provision for loan losses

4,889

4,522

9,984

8,528

Non-interest expense

Compensation and benefits

36,997

24,664

73,116

50,378

Occupancy and equipment

8,678

6,560

17,704

13,250

Technology and communications

6,883

4,814

12,970

9,671

Marketing and promotion

3,177

737

5,176

1,410

Professional services

2,190

1,509

4,641

2,789

FDIC premiums and assessments

1,588

1,203

2,886

2,436

Other real estate owned and foreclosures

30

393

58

656

Amortization of intangible assets

770

787

1,571

1,606

Merger, restructuring and other expense

2,903

878

14,585

1,658

Other

6,307

4,723

11,142

9,514

Total non-interest expense

69,523

46,268

143,849

93,368

Income before income taxes

27,931

21,206

50,153

43,427

Income tax expense

8,237

5,249

14,999

11,469

Net income

$ 19,694

$ 15,957

$ 35,154

$ 31,958

Earnings per share:

Basic

$ 0.53

$ 0.52

$ 0.97

$ 1.05

Diluted

$ 0.53

$ 0.52

$ 0.96

$ 1.04

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

37,324

30,605

36,305

30,561

Diluted

37,474

30,765

36,466

30,725

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (5 Quarter Trend) - UNAUDITED - (F-5)

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

(in thousands, except per share data)

2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

Interest and dividend income

Loans

$ 71,983

$ 68,943

$ 62,884

$ 61,571

$ 59,703

Securities and other

12,683

11,766

9,550

8,940

9,315

Total interest and dividend income

84,666

80,709

72,434

70,511

69,018

Interest expense

Deposits

9,971

9,098

8,556

7,790

7,378

Borrowings

5,150

4,725

4,720

4,750

4,199

Total interest expense

15,121

13,823

13,276

12,540

11,577

Net interest income

69,545

66,886

59,158

57,971

57,441

Non-interest income

Mortgage banking originations

16,281

12,678

3,537

1,862

1,335

Loan related income

5,275

4,179

5,648

5,102

2,898

Deposit related fees

6,645

6,204

6,285

6,278

6,291

Insurance commissions and fees

2,588

3,136

2,323

2,601

2,660

Wealth management fees

2,286

2,526

1,911

2,269

2,235

Total fee income

33,075

28,723

19,704

18,112

15,419

Other

(276)

93

(2,849)

188

(851)

Securities (losses) gains , net

(1)

12,570

(652)

78

(13)

Gain on sale of business operations, net

-

-

522

563

-

Loss on termination of hedges

-

(6,629)

-

-

-

Total non-interest income

32,798

34,757

16,725

18,941

14,555

Total net revenue

102,343

101,643

75,883

76,912

71,996

Provision for loan losses

4,889

5,095

4,100

4,734

4,522

Non-interest expense

Compensation and benefits

36,997

36,119

28,103

26,119

24,664

Occupancy and equipment

8,678

9,026

7,320

6,650

6,560

Technology and communications

6,883

6,087

5,310

4,902

4,814

Marketing and promotion

3,177

1,999

1,080

671

737

Professional services

2,190

2,451

1,666

1,744

1,509

FDIC premiums and assessments

1,588

1,298

1,422

1,208

1,203

Other real estate owned and foreclosures

30

28

(11)

46

393

Amortization of intangible assets

770

801

572

749

787

Merger, restructuring and other expense

2,903

11,682

11,633

2,170

878

Other

6,307

4,835

3,995

4,585

4,723

Total non-interest expense

69,523

74,326

61,090

48,844

46,268

Income before income taxes

27,931

22,222

10,693

23,334

21,206

Income tax expense

8,237

6,762

362

6,953

5,249

Net income

$ 19,694

$ 15,460

$ 10,331

$ 16,381

$ 15,957

Earnings per share:

Basic

$ 0.53

$ 0.44

$ 0.32

$ 0.53

$ 0.52

Diluted

$ 0.53

$ 0.44

$ 0.32

$ 0.53

$ 0.52

Weighted average shares outstanding:

Basic

37,324

35,280

32,185

30,621

30,605

Diluted

37,474

35,452

32,381

30,811

30,765

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

AVERAGE YIELDS AND COSTS (Fully Taxable Equivalent - Annualized) - UNAUDITED - (F-6)

Quarters Ended

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

Earning assets

Loans:

Commercial real estate

4.41

%

4.58

%

4.17

%

4.25

%

4.42

%

Commercial and industrial loans

5.30

4.86

4.88

5.06

4.85

Residential mortgages

3.62

3.56

3.57

3.62

3.61

Consumer loans

3.81

3.62

3.44

3.40

3.39

Total loans

4.25

4.19

4.00

4.06

4.10

Securities

3.45

3.38

3.58

3.47

3.45

Short-term investments and loans held for sale

3.07

2.40

2.13

1.68

1.37

Total earning assets

4.07

4.00

3.91

3.95

3.97

Funding liabilities

Deposits:

NOW

0.23

0.22

0.16

0.12

0.13

Money market

0.54

0.52

0.48

0.46

0.47

Savings

0.14

0.13

0.12

0.12

0.11

Time

1.13

1.08

1.14

1.10

1.06

Total interest-bearing deposits

0.73

0.69

0.69

0.67

0.65

Borrowings

1.46

1.38

1.63

1.52

1.37

Total interest-bearing liabilities

0.88

0.83

0.87

0.85

0.80

Net interest spread

3.19

3.17

3.04

3.10

3.17

Net interest margin

3.36

3.33

3.21

3.27

3.32

Cost of funds (1)

0.75

0.70

0.73

0.72

0.68

Cost of deposits (2)

0.60

0.56

0.56

0.54

0.53

(1) Cost of funds includes all deposits and borrowings.

(2) The average cost of deposits includes the deposits held for sale.

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

AVERAGE BALANCES - UNAUDITED - (F-7)

Quarters Ended

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2016 (2)(4)

2016 (2)(4)

Assets

Loans

Commercial real estate

$ 2,691,804

$ 2,631,281

$ 2,442,515

$ 2,260,482

$ 2,173,539

Commercial and industrial loans

1,130,384

1,072,716

998,543

1,009,581

1,047,866

Residential mortgages

1,871,329

1,906,457

1,833,530

1,839,364

1,759,193

Consumer loans

996,488

978,683

936,957

900,432

847,215

Total loans (1)

6,690,005

6,589,137

6,211,545

6,009,859

5,827,813

Securities (3)

1,701,443

1,625,769

1,255,207

1,197,760

1,247,357

Short-term investments and loans held for sale

148,276

118,537

83,057

40,259

38,993

Total earning assets

8,539,724

8,333,443

7,549,809

7,247,878

7,114,163

Goodwill and other intangible assets

421,601

422,331

362,641

349,059

344,832

Other assets

369,317

388,211

363,248

360,182

349,816

Total assets

$ 9,330,642

$ 9,143,985

$ 8,275,698

$ 7,957,119

$ 7,808,811

Liabilities and shareholders' equity

Deposits

NOW

$ 572,688

$ 574,799

$ 499,852

$ 474,650

$ 492,901

Money market

1,794,693

1,804,738

1,612,160

1,448,108

1,403,629

Savings

667,863

648,839

620,092

608,365

612,261

Time

2,472,990

2,351,183

2,171,325

2,095,269

2,047,020

Total interest-bearing deposits

5,508,234

5,379,559

4,903,429

4,626,392

4,555,811

Borrowings

1,398,653

1,374,620

1,144,846

1,235,065

1,223,629

Total interest-bearing liabilities

6,906,887

6,754,179

6,048,275

5,861,457

5,779,440

Non-interest-bearing demand deposits

1,155,533

1,178,790

1,178,308

1,084,786

1,032,951

Other liabilities

110,367

128,573

85,951

111,743

105,948

Total liabilities

8,172,787

8,061,542

7,312,534

7,057,986

6,918,339

Total shareholders' equity

1,157,855

1,082,443

963,164

899,133

890,472

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$ 9,330,642

$ 9,143,985

$ 8,275,698

$ 7,957,119

$ 7,808,811

Supplementary data

Total non-maturity deposits

$ 4,190,777

$ 4,207,166

$ 3,910,412

$ 3,615,909

$ 3,541,742

Total deposits

6,663,767

6,558,349

6,081,737

5,711,178

5,588,762

Fully taxable equivalent income adjustment

2,644

2,511

2,228

2,004

1,972

Purchased loan accretion

2,550

3,687

1,886

2,214

1,981

Total average tangible equity (5)

736,254

660,112

600,523

550,074

545,640

(1) Total loans include non-accruing loans.

(2) The average balances of loans include loans associated with branch sales, which are presented under loans held for sale on the consolidated balance sheet.

(3) Average balances for securities available-for-sale are based on amortized cost.

(4) The average balances of deposits include the deposits held for sale presented under other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet.

(5) See page F-9.

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

ASSET QUALITY ANALYSIS - UNAUDITED - (F-8)

At or for the Quarters Ended

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

NON-PERFORMING ASSETS

Non-accruing loans:

Commercial real estate

$ 7,587

$ 7,718

$ 5,883

$ 6,295

$ 4,808

Commercial and industrial loans

8,387

8,327

7,523

6,714

7,590

Residential mortgages

3,245

3,971

3,795

4,374

4,882

Consumer loans

4,977

5,109

4,833

3,281

3,376

Total non-accruing loans

24,196

25,125

22,034

20,664

20,656

Other real estate owned

279

71

151

80

595

Total non-performing assets

$ 24,475

$ 25,196

$ 22,185

$ 20,744

$ 21,251

Total non-accruing loans/total loans

0.35%

0.38%

0.34%

0.34%

0.34%

Total non-performing assets/total assets

0.25%

0.27%

0.24%

0.26%

0.26%

PROVISION AND ALLOWANCE FOR LOAN LOSSES

Balance at beginning of period

$ 45,804

$ 43,998

$ 43,105

$ 41,397

$ 40,055

Charged-off loans

(3,430)

(3,623)

(3,488)

(3,441)

(3,393)

Recoveries on charged-off loans

97

334

281

415

213

Net loans charged-off

(3,333)

(3,289)

(3,207)

(3,026)

(3,180)

Provision for loan losses

4,888

5,095

4,100

4,734

4,522

Balance at end of period

$ 47,359

$ 45,804

$ 43,998

$ 43,105

$ 41,397

Allowance for loan losses/total loans

0.69%

0.69%

0.67%

0.71%

0.69%

Allowance for loan losses/non-accruing loans

196%

182%

200%

209%

200%

NET LOAN CHARGE-OFFS

Commercial real estate

$ (1,472)

$ (633)

$ (676)

$ (547)

$ (534)

Commercial and industrial loans

(626)

(1,634)

(1,148)

(1,610)

(1,720)

Residential mortgages

(337)

(324)

(768)

(452)

(568)

Home equity

(268)

(95)

(47)

(65)

(164)

Auto and other consumer

(630)

(603)

(568)

(352)

(194)

Total, net

$ (3,333)

$ (3,289)

$ (3,207)

$ (3,026)

$ (3,180)

Net charge-offs (QTD annualized)/average loans

0.20%

0.20%

0.21%

0.20%

0.22%

Net charge-offs (YTD annualized)/average loans

0.20%

0.20%

0.21%

0.22%

0.22%

DELINQUENT AND NON-ACCRUING LOANS/TOTAL LOANS

30-89 Days delinquent

0.23%

0.24%

0.35%

0.25%

0.25%

90+ Days delinquent and still accruing

0.12%

0.16%

0.15%

0.09%

0.08%

Total accruing delinquent loans

0.35%

0.40%

0.50%

0.34%

0.33%

Non-accruing loans

0.35%

0.38%

0.34%

0.34%

0.34%

Total delinquent and non-accruing loans

0.70%

0.78%

0.84%

0.68%

0.67%

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA- UNAUDITED - (F-9)

At or for the Quarters Ended

June 30,

March 31,

Dec. 31,

Sept. 30,

June 30,

(in thousands)

2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

Net income

$ 19,694

$ 15,460

$ 10,331

$ 16,381

$ 15,957

Adj: Net securities losses/(gains) losses

1

(12,570)

652

(78)

13

Adj: Loss on termination of hedges

-

6,629

-

-

-

Adj: Net (gains) on sale of business operations

-

-

(522)

(563)

-

Adj: Merger and acquisition expense

2,266

5,947

10,820

1,453

701

Adj: Restructuring expense and other expense

637

5,735

1,113

717

177

Adj: Income taxes

(1,039)

(1,801)

(4,373)

(492)

(334)

Total core income

(A)

$ 21,559

$ 19,400

$ 18,021

$ 17,418

$ 16,514

Total revenue

$ 102,343

$ 101,643

$ 75,883

$ 76,912

$ 71,996

Adj: Net securities losses/(gains) losses

1

(12,570)

652

(78)

13

Adj: Net (gains) on sale of business operations

-

-

(522)

(563)

-

Adj: Loss on termination of hedges

-

6,629

-

-

-

Total core revenue

(B)

$ 102,344

$ 95,702

$ 76,013

$ 76,271

$ 72,009

Total non-interest expense

$ 69,523

$ 74,326

$ 61,090

$ 48,844

$ 46,268

Less: Merger, restructuring and other expense (see above)

(2,903)

(11,682)

(11,933)

(2,170)

(878)

Core non-interest expense

(C)

$ 66,620

$ 62,644

$ 49,157

$ 46,674

$ 45,390

(in millions, except per share data)

Total average assets

(D)

$ 9,331

$ 9,144

$ 8,276

$ 7,957

$ 7,809

Total average shareholders' equity

(E)

1,158

1,082

963

899

890

Total average tangible shareholders' equity

(F)

736

660

601

550

546

Total tangible shareholders' equity, period-end (1)

(G)

847

678

671

584

574

Total tangible assets, period-end (1)

(H)

9,206

8,876

8,740

7,583

7,695

Total common shares outstanding, period-end (thousands)

(I)

40,428

35,729

35,673

31,122

31,156

Average diluted shares outstanding (thousands)

(J)

37,474

35,452

32,381

30,811

30,765

Core earnings per share, diluted

(A/J)

$ 0.58

$ 0.55

$ 0.56

$ 0.57

$ 0.54

Tangible book value per share, period-end

(G/I)

20.96

18.97

18.81

18.78

18.44

Total tangible shareholders' equity/total tangible assets

(G)/(H)

9.20

7.64

7.68

7.70

7.46

Performance ratios (2)

GAAP return on assets

0.84

%

0.68

%

0.50

%

0.82

%

0.82

%

Core return on assets

(A/D)

0.92

0.85

0.87

0.88

0.85

GAAP return on equity

6.80

5.71

4.29

7.29

7.17

Core return on equity

(A/E)

7.45

7.17

7.49

7.75

7.42

Core return on tangible equity (3)

(A/F)

11.96

12.05

12.23

12.99

12.45

Efficiency ratio (4)(5) (C-M)/(B+K+N)

61.72

61.94

58.42

57.32

58.11

Net interest margin

3.36

3.33

3.21

3.27

3.32

Supplementary data (in thousands)

Tax benefit on tax-credit investments (6)

(K)

$ 1,696

$ 1,624

$ 4,918

$ 1,852

$ 2,777

Non-interest income charge on tax-credit investments (7)

(L)

(1,453)

(1,329)

(4,428)

(1,525)

(1,938)

Net income on tax-credit investments

(K+L)

243

295

490

327

839

Intangible amortization

(M)

$ 770

$ 801

$ 572

$ 749

$ 787

Fully taxable equivalent income adjustment

(N)

2,644

2,511

2,228

2,004

1,972

(1) Total tangible shareholders' equity is computed by taking total shareholders' equity less the intangible assets at period-end.

Total tangible assets is computed by taking total assets less the intangible assets at period-end.

(2) Ratios are annualized and based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable. Quarterly data may not sum to year-to-date data due

to rounding.

(3) Core return on tangible equity is computed by dividing the total core income adjusted for the tax-effected amortization of intangible assets,

assuming a 40% marginal rate, by tangible equity.

(4) Non-GAAP financial measure.

(5) Efficiency ratio is computed by dividing total core tangible non-interest expense by the sum of total net interest income on a fully

taxable equivalent basis and total core non-interest income adjusted to include tax credit benefit of tax shelter investments. The

Company uses this non-GAAP measure to provide important information regarding its operational efficiency.

(6) The tax benefit is the direct reduction to the income tax provision due to tax credits and deductions generated from investments in historic

rehabilitation, low-income housing, new market projects, and renewable energy projects.

(7) The non-interest income charge is the reduction to the tax-advantaged investments, which are incurred as the tax credits are generated.

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

RECONCILIATION OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - UNAUDITED - (F-10)

At or for the Six Months Ended

June 30,

June 30,

(Dollars in thousands)

2017

2016

Net income

$ 35,154

$ 31,958

Adj: Net securities losses (gains)

(12,569)

(23)

Adj: Loss on termination of hedges

6,629

-

Adj: Merger and acquisition expenses

8,213

1,228

Adj: Restructuring expense and other

6,372

430

Adj: Income taxes

(2,840)

(590)

Total core income

(A)

$ 40,959

$ 33,003

Total revenue

$ 203,986

$ 145,323

Adj: Net securities losses (gains)

(12,569)

(23)

Adj: Loss on termination of hedges

6,629

-

Total core revenue

(B)

$ 198,046

$ 145,300

Total non-interest expense

$ 143,849

$ 93,368

Less: Merger, restructuring and conversion expense (see above)

(14,585)

(1,658)

Core non-interest expense

(C)

$ 129,264

$ 91,710

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

Total average assets

(D)

$ 9,238

$ 7,800

Total average shareholders' equity

(E)

1,120

891

Total average tangible shareholders' equity

(F)

698

551

Total tangible shareholders' equity, period-end (1)

(G)

847

574

Total tangible assets, period-end (1)

(H)

9,206

7,695

Total common shares outstanding, period-end (thousands)

(I)

40,428

31,156

Average diluted shares outstanding (thousands)

(J)

36,466

30,728

Core earnings per common share, diluted

(A/J)

$ 1.12

$ 1.07

Tangible book value per common share, period-end

(G/I)

20.96

18.44

Total tangible shareholders' equity/total tangible assets

(G/H)

9.20

7.46

Performance ratios (2)

GAAP return on assets

0.76

%

0.82

%

Core return on assets

(A/D)

0.89

0.85

GAAP return on equity

6.28

7.18

Core return on equity

(A/E)

7.31

7.41

Core return on tangible equity (3)

(A/F)

12.01

12.32

Efficiency ratio (4)(5) (C-M)

/ (B+K+N)

61.83

58.69

Net interest margin

3.35

3.32

Supplementary data

Tax benefit on tax-credit investments (6)

(K)

$ 3,320

$ 4,365

Non-interest income charge on tax-credit investments (7)

(L)

(2,782)

(3,039)

Net income on tax-credit investments

(K+L)

538

1,326

Intangible amortization

(M)

1,571

1,606

Fully taxable equivalent income adjustment

(N)

5,154

3,866

(1) Total tangible shareholders' equity is computed by taking total shareholders' equity less the intangible assets at period-end.

Total tangible assets is computed by taking total assets less the intangible assets at period-end.

(2) Ratios are annualized and based on average balance sheet amounts, where applicable. Quarterly data may not sum to year-to-date data

due to rounding.

(3) Core return on tangible equity is computed by dividing the total core income adjusted for the tax-effected amortization of

intangible assets, assuming a 40% marginal rate, by tangible equity.

(4) Non-GAAP financial measure.

(5) Efficiency ratio is computed by dividing total core tangible non-interest expense by the sum of total net interest income on a fully

taxable equivalent basis and total core non-interest income adjusted to include tax credit benefit of tax shelter investments. The

Company uses this non-GAAP measure to provide important information regarding its operational efficiency.

(6) The tax benefit is the direct reduction to the income tax provision due to tax credits and deductions generated from investments in

historic rehabilitation, low-income housing, new market projects, and renewable energy.

(7) The non-interest income charge is the reduction to the tax-advantaged investments, which are incurred as the tax credits are generated.

SOURCE:PITTSFIELD, Mass., July 19, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc.