EXHIBIT 99.1


                   [BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC. LETTERHEAD]

                  BERKSHIRE HILLS ANNOUNCES ANNUAL MEETING DATE


PITTSFIELD, MA - February 22, 2008 - Berkshire Hills Bancorp (BHLB) will hold
its 2008 annual meeting of stockholders on Thursday, May 15, 2008 at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel, One West Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts at 10:00 A.M. (ET). The
voting record date has been set as March 20, 2008.

Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the holding company for Berkshire Bank - AMERICA'S
MOST EXCITING BANK(SM). Established in 1846, Berkshire Bank is one of
Massachusetts' oldest and largest independent banks and the largest banking
institution based in Western Massachusetts. The Bank is headquartered in
Pittsfield, Massachusetts with branches serving communities throughout Western
Massachusetts, Northeastern New York and Southern Vermont. The Bank is
transitioning into a regional bank, delivering exceptional customer service and
a broad array of competitively priced deposit, loan, insurance, wealth
management and trust services and investment products. For more information on
Berkshire Hills Bancorp or Berkshire Bank, visit www.berkshirebank.com or call
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800-773-5601.

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CONTACT
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David H. Gonci
Corporate Finance Officer
413-281-1973