1 UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 26, 2006 ---------------- BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC. ----------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 0-51584 04-3510455 -------- ------- ---------- (State or other jurisdiction of (Commission (IRS Employer incorporation) File Number) Identification No.) 24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 ------------------------------------------ ----- (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (413) 443-5601 ------------- Not Applicable -------------- (Former name or former address, if changed since last report) Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions: [ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) [ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) [ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) 2 ITEM 5.02. DEPARTURE OF DIRECTORS OR PRINCIPAL OFFICERS; ELECTION OF DIRECTORS; -------------------------------------------------------------------- APPOINTMENT OF PRINCIPAL OFFICERS. --------------------------------- On January 26, 2006, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. appointed Wallace W. Altes to its board of directors. It is not currently expected that Mr. Altes will initially be named to any of the committees of the board of directors of the Company. The press release announcing Mr. Altes' appointment is included as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. --------------------------------- (a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired: Not applicable (b) Pro Forma Financial Information: Not applicable (c) Exhibits Number Description ------ ----------- 99.1 Press Release Dated January 30, 2006 2 3 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC. Dated: January 27, 2006 By: /s/ Wayne F. Patenaude ---------------------------------- Wayne F. Patenaude Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer