UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                 FORM 10-K

[mark one]          [ X ]     ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                    OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996

                                    OR

               [   ]     TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13
                    OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                      Commission File Number 0-12784


                           WESTBANK CORPORATION

               Massachusetts                      04-2830731
        (State of Incorporation)          (I.R.S. Employer ID No.)

     225 Park Avenue, West Springfield Massachusetts               01090-0149
     (Address of principal executive office)                       (Zip Code)

                              (413) 747-1400
                            (Telephone Number)

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                             Name of each exchange
                    Title of each class           on which registered

                            NONE                               NONE

        Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                       Common stock, $2.00 Par Value
                     Preferred stock, $5.00 Par Value
                             (Title of Class)

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all
reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file
such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for the past ninety days.

                                  Yes  X     No     

     Based on the closing sales price on March 1, 1997 the aggregate
market value of the voting stock held by nonaffiliates of the
registrant was $30,575,342.

     The number of shares outstanding of the registrants common
stock, $2.00 par value was 3,445,109 on March 1, 1997.

     Portions of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the year
ended December 31, 1996 are incorporated by reference into Parts I
and II.

     Portions of the Proxy Statement issued by the Corporation in
connection with the Annual Meeting to be held on April 16, 1997 are
incorporated by reference into Part III.





                           WESTBANK CORPORATION

                            INDEX TO FORM 10-K


PART I

Item 1 Business                                                         I - 1

Item 2 Properties                                                       I - 2

Item 3 Legal Proceedings                                                I - 2

Item 4 Submission of Matters to a vote of Security Holders              I - 2


PART II

Item 5 Market for the Corporation's Common Stock and
       Related Stockholder Matters                                     II - 1

Item 6 Selected Financial Data                                         II - 1

Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
       Condition and Results of Operations                             II - 1



PART III

Item 8  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                   III - 1

Item 9  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
        Accounting and Financial Disclosure                           III - 1

Item 10 Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant            III - 1

Item 11 Executive Compensation                                        III - 1

Item 12 Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
        Management                                                    III - 1

Item 13 Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                III - 1


PART IV

Item 14 Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports
        on Form 8-K                                                    IV - 1

        Signatures                                                     IV - 2

        Exhibit Index                                                  IV - 3





           WESTBANK CORPORATION, WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS

                                  PART I

ITEM 1 - BUSINESS

     Reference is made to Page 4 of the Corporation's Annual Report
to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1996, wherein this
subject is covered.

STATISTICAL DISCLOSURE BY BANK HOLDING COMPANIES

     The following statistical tables and accompanying text provide
required financial data about the Corporation and should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated financial statements and related
notes, appearing in the 1996 Annual Report to Stockholders and is
incorporated herein by reference thereto:

                                                Page of
                                               Annual Report

I.   Distribution of Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity:
     Interest Rates and Interest Differential                                 9

     Rate/Volume Analysis of Interest Margin on Earning Assets               10

II.  Investment Portfolio                                      11, 26-28 and 37

III. Loan Portfolio                                           12, 28, 29 and 37

     a.  Types of Loans                                                      12

     b.  Maturities and Sensitivities to Changes in Interest Rates     8 and 12

     c.  Risk Elements                                            13, 14 and 15

IV.  Summary of Loan Loss Experience                                  13 and 14

V.   Deposits                                             15, 16, 30, 37 and 38

VI.  Return on Equity and Assets                                             16

VII. Short Term Borrowing                                     16, 31, 37 and 38


 

                                   I - 1



ITEM 2 - PROPERTIES

     The Corporation's principal banking subsidiary, Park West Bank and Trust 
Company ("Park West") operates eleven banking offices located as follows:

LOCATION                OWNED   LEASED   TOTAL
Agawam (Feeding Hills)            1        1
Chicopee                  1                1
Chicopee - Supermarket            1        1
East Longmeadow           1                1
East Longmeadow -
  Supermarket                     1        1
Holyoke                   1                1
West Springfield          2       1        3
Westfield                         1        1
Westfield - Supermarket           1        1
TOTAL                     5       6       11

     All general banking offices except the one in Holyoke have
drive-in facilities.  Twenty-four hour automated teller machines are
located in the three West Springfield branches, one each in Agawam,
Chicopee, East Longmeadow, Westfield and the Banks three supermarket
branches.

     Title to the properties described as owned in the foregoing
table is held by the Bank with warranty deed with no material
encumbrances.  Park West owns, with no material encumbrances, land
adjacent to the main office which is available for parking, and also
through a subsidiary, owns one other property consisting of land,
also used as a parking lot adjacent to the main office.  The
Corporation also owns the property on which its former Operations
Center was located and is presently leased.  In addition, the Bank
holds other real estate as a result of foreclosure proceedings.

     All of the property described as leased in the foregoing table
is leased directly from independent parties.  Management considers
the terms and conditions of each of the existing leases to be in the
aggregate favorable to the Bank.


ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

     Certain litigation is pending against the Corporation and the
Bank.  Management, after consultation with legal counsel, does not
anticipate that any liability arising out of such litigation will
have a material effect on the Corporation's Financial Statements.


ITEM 4 - SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

                                   NONE










                                   I - 2
  


                                 PART II 
  
  
ITEM 5 - MARKET FOR CORPORATION'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER 
MATTERS  
  
     Reference is made to the inside back cover of the Corporation's
Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1996,
wherein this subject is covered.
  
Information Concerning Forward-Looking Statements.

     Westbank has made and may make in the future forward looking
statements concerning future performance, including but not limited
to future earnings, and events or conditions which may affect such
future performance.  These forward looking statements are based upon
management's expectations and belief concerning possible future
developments and the potential effect of such future developments on
Westbank.  There is no assurance that such future developments will
be in accordance with management's expectations and belief or that
the effect of any future developments on Westbank will be those
anticipated by Westbank management.

     All assumptions that form the basis of any forward looking
statements regarding future performance, as well as events or
conditions which may affect such future performance, are based on
factors that are beyond Westbank's ability to control or predict
with precision, including future market conditions and the behavior
of other market participants.  Among the factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from such forward looking
statements are the following:

     1.  The status of the economy in general, as well as in
         Westbank's prime market area, Western Massachusetts;

     2.  The recovery of the real estate market in Western
         Massachusetts;

     3.  Competition in Westbank's prime market area from other
         banks, especially in light of continued consolidation in
         the New England banking industry.

     4.  Any changes in federal and state bank regulatory
         requirements;

     5.  Changes in interest rates; and

     6.  The cost and other effects of unanticipated legal and
         administrative cases and proceedings, settlements and
         investigations.

     While Westbank periodically reassesses material trends and
uncertainties affecting the Corporation's performance in connection
with is preparation of management's discussion and analysis of
results of operations and financial condition contained in its
quarterly and annual reports, Westbank does not intend to review or
revise any particular forward looking statement in light of future
events.
  
ITEM 6 - SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 
  
     Reference is made to page 5 of the Corporation's Annual Report
to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1996, wherein this
subject is covered.
  
  
ITEM 7 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
  
     Reference is made to pages 6 through 18 of the Corporation's
Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1996,
wherein this subject is covered.
  
  
  
  

                                  II - 1
                                  


                                 PART III


ITEM 8 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 
  
     Reference is made to pages 20 through 39 of the Corporation's
Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1996,
wherein this subject is covered.
  
  
ITEM 9 - CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
  
                                  NONE  
  
  
ITEM 10 - DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT 
  
     Reference is made to pages 3 through 6, of the Corporation's
Proxy Statement to Stockholders for the 1997 Annual Meeting
scheduled for April 16, 1997, wherein this subject is covered.
    
  
ITEM 11 - EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
  
     References is made to pages 8 through 12, of the Corporation's
Proxy Statement to Stockholders for the 1997 Annual Meeting
scheduled for April 16, 1997, wherein this subject is covered.
  
    
ITEM 12 - SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT 
    
     Reference is made to pages 6 and 7, of the Corporation's Proxy
Statement to Stockholders for the 1997 Annual Meeting scheduled for
April 16, 1997, wherein this subject is covered.
  
  
ITEM 13 - CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS 
  
     Reference is made to pages 6 through 15, of the Corporation's
Proxy Statement to Stockholders for the 1997 Annual Meeting
scheduled for April 16, 1997, wherein this subject is covered under
the caption "Beneficial Ownership of Stock and Executive
Compensation - Miscellaneous".
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


                                  III - 1


                                 PART IV 
  
  
  
ITEM 14 - EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K 
  
     The following documents are filed as a part of this report:  
  
          1.  Financial Statements 
  
     The following financial statements are incorporated in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K by reference to the Corporation's Annual
Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 1996:
  
                           WESTBANK CORPORATION 
                                                                     Page of
                                                                     Annual
                                                                     Report


Independent Auditors' Reports                                             19
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1996 and 1995                 20
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended  
    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                                      21
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity from January 1, 1994,
    to December 31, 1996                                                  22
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
    December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                                      23
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                           24 - 39
  
  
  
  
A current report on Form 8-K Reporting other Events was filed by the
Registrant on:
 
                                 NONE    
  
  
     2.  Financial Statement Schedules 
  
     Financial Statement Schedules are omitted because they are
inapplicable or not required.
  
     3.  Exhibits 
  
     See accompanying Exhibit Index.  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
                                  IV - 1
                                  
 
                                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, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                        WESTBANK CORPORATION      
 
 
                                   By:  "/s/ Donald R. Chase"
                                        Donald R. Chase, President
                                        and Chief Executive Officer 
      
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.


Signature                Title                                  Date


                         President and Chief
"/s/ Donald R. Chase"    Executive Officer and Director         March 19, 1997
Donald R. Chase
                         Chairman of the Board
"/s/ Alfred C. Whitaker" and Director                           March 19, 1997
Alfred C. Whitaker
                         Treasurer and Chief Financial
"/s/ John M. Lilly"      Officer                                March 19, 1997
John M. Lilly

"/s/ Roland O. Archambault" Director                            March 19, 1997
Roland O. Archambault

"/s/ Mark A. Beauregard" Director                               March 19, 1997
Mark A. Beauregard

"/s/ David R. Chamberland" Director                             March 19, 1997
David R. Chamberland

"/s/ John E. Fitzgerald" Director                               March 19, 1997
John E. Fitzgerald
                         
"/s/ Leroy F. Jarrett"   Director                               March 19, 1997
Leroy F. Jarrett
                         Vice Chairman of the Board
"/s/ Ernest N. Laflamme, Jr." and Director                      March 19, 1997
Ernest N. Laflamme, Jr.

"/s/ Russell Mawdsley"   Director                               March 19, 1997
Russell Mawdsley

"/s/ Paul J. McKenna"    Director                               March 19, 1997
Paul J. McKenna

"/s/ Robert J. Perlak"   Corporate Clerk and Director           March 19, 1997
Robert J. Perlak

                         Director                               March 19, 1997
James E. Tremble





                                 IV - 2  
                                 


                              EXHIBIT INDEX 
 
                                                    Page No.
 
 
3.        Articles of Organization, as amended                           **
  
          (a)  Articles of Organization, as amended                       *
  
          (b)  By-Laws, as amended                                        *
  
10.1      Employment Contract dated October 1, 1986, between
          William A. Franks, Jr. and Westbank Corporation               ***
  
10.12     Termination Agreement dated February 20, 1987, between
          Donald R. Chase and Park West Bank and Trust Company          ***
  
10.14     Termination Agreement dated February 20, 1987, between
          Stanley F. Osowski and CCB, Inc.                              ***
  
10.15     1985 Incentive Stock Option Plan for Key Employees              *

10.16     1995 Directors Stock Option Plan                             ****

10.17     1996 Stock Incentive Plan                                   *****

13.       1995 Annual Report to Stockholders             ARS (IFC 1-36 IBC)
  
21.       Subsidiaries of Registrant                         TO BE INCLUDED

27.       Financial Data Schedule                            TO BE INCLUDED

*     Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits
      contained in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
      year ended December 31, 1988
  
**    Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits
      contained in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
      year ended December 31, 1987
  
***   Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits
      contained in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
      year ended December 31, 1986
  
****  Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits
      contained in Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
      year ended December 31, 1995

***** Incorporated by reference to identically numbered exhibits
      contained in Registrant's 1996 Proxy Statement

      
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






                                  IV - 3