Berkshire Bank Expands Capital District Commercial Team Names James J Morris IV, SVP Commercial Re

PITTSFIELD, MA – September 21, 2015 – Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®, is excited to announce that it has appointed James J Morris, IV to Senior Vice President, Commercial Real Estate Manager in Berkshire’s Capital District Region.

Download a photo of James here.

Morris joins Berkshire from Kinderhook Bank where he served as Vice President Commercial Real Estate & Development, focused on helping to expand and grow their commercial real estate portfolio. Morris has 29 years of experience in commercial lending and appraising commercial real estate in the Hudson Valley and Capital District regions, including previous roles at Paragon Prime Funding, Citizens Bank and Charter One Bank. Morris also currently serves on the Governing Board of the Center for Disability Services, providing innovative services & expert care for individuals with disabilities and chronic medical conditions. He serves as president of board for Prospect Center, a nonprofit organization that offers multifaceted services for at risk and developmentally disabled individuals in the Saratoga, Warren & Washington county area. Morris received his bachelor of science degree from State University of New York at New Paltz and holds the MAI designation from the Appraisal Institute in Chicago. Morris is one of the Albany Business Review’s Forty Under 40 winners, and a Fellow of the Leadership Saratoga program.

Scott Houghtaling, Commercial Regional Leader in New York commented, “I am pleased to have Jim join the bank with his extensive relationships and Commercial Real Estate lending experience in and around the Capital District, he is the right person to build on the commercial banking success Berkshire has had in this region.”

Bob Curley, New York Chairman, added, “I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Jim, once again. In addition to his extensive commercial real estate expertise, his exceptional customer service focus, and his ongoing commitment to community involvement, this makes him the perfect fit for Berkshire Bank!”

Morris will be focused primarily on developing relationships with commercial real estate clients in the greater Capital District and Hudson Valley regions. He will also be a member of the Bank’s community reinvestment act committee.

Contact James J Morris, IV, SVP Commercial Real Estate Relationship Manager Morris is located at Berkshire’s Capital District Regional Headquarters: 41 State Street, Albany, NY 12207. He can be reached at 518-729-1420 or jjmorris@berkshirebank.com.

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About Berkshire Bank Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $7.5 billion in assets and 93 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. In 2014, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call 800-773-5601. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of the Boston Bruins coverage on NESN.

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Media Contact:
Heidi Higgins
AVP, Marketing Officer
413.236.3756
hhiggins@berkshirebank.com