PITTSFIELD, MA, September 20, 2017 – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation named Berkshire Bank, America's Most Exciting Bank a finalist in the 2017 Corporate Citizenship Awards recognizing them as a Top Corporate Steward in the Small/Middle Market business category.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Corporate Citizenship Awards showcase how businesses make the world a better place. Every day, businesses serve as a powerful force for good in communities across the United States and in countries around the world. They solve today's greatest challenges through innovation, expertise, efficiency, capital, and collaboration. Over the past 18 years, some of the most accomplished business initiatives have gained positive exposure through the Citizens Awards. Companies and chambers of commerce from around the globe compete for the Citizenship Awards, making them one of the most coveted opportunities in corporate citizenship.
"Life is exciting. Let us help." is what we believe. It's our conviction. It's what makes us America's Most Exciting Bank. A Bank is only as strong as the communities it serves. Our team members work, live and raise their families in our local communities. I'm proud of the work we have done together. That work includes a strong volunteer program, our philanthropic focus and a dedicated corporate strategy, giving our customers the resources they need, our employees an inspirational place to work, and our communities the support that will help them thrive and prosper." states, Sean Gray, Chief Operating Officer of Berkshire Bank.
The award recognizes Berkshire Bank's comprehensive corporate citizenship activities including their philanthropy, volunteer, and sustainability efforts as well as their responsiveness to community needs through their products, services and engagement activities. Annually Berkshire Bank and Berkshire Bank Foundation provide more than $2 million in financial contributions as well as scholarships to high school seniors. In addition to financial support, the XTEAM®, the Bank's nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program, provides employees with paid time off to volunteer during regular business hours. Last year, 100% of Berkshire's employees nationally donated 40,000 hours of service to benefit community organizations.
When announcing the finalists, Marc DeCourcey, Senior Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation added, "Berkshire Bank epitomizes what it means to be a top corporate steward. Their unwavering focus on their customers, employees, communities and shareholders highlights the multitude of ways businesses can be a powerful force for good.
The winners of the 2017 Citizens Awards will be announced on November 15 at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Learn more about the awards program here.
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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 $9.6 billion in assets and 97 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. 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. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of NESN's Boston Bruins coverage and the community partner of Boston Seasons at City Hall Plaza.
About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, environmental programs, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundation donates $2 million to nonprofits throughout the Bank's footprint and 100% of bank employees provide over 40,000 hours of service through their XTEAM® corporate volunteer program. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts' Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal in 2017. To learn more about Berkshire Bank Foundation, visit www.berkshirebank.com/community
About U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation is dedicated to strengthening America's long-term competitiveness. We educate the public on the conditions necessary for business and communities to thrive, how business positively impacts communities, and emerging issues and creative solutions that will shape the future. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.
Contact: Heidi Higgins
Berkshire Bank
Phone: (413) 236-3756
E-Mail: hhiggins@berkshirebank.com
Bailey Jacobs
US Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Phone: 202-463-5766
E-Mail: bjacobs@uschamber.com