- Filing of certain prospectuses and communications in connection with business combination transactions (425)

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): March 28, 2011

BERKSHIRE HILLS BANCORP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Delaware		0-51584		04-3510455
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File No.)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

24 North Street, Pittsfield, Massachusetts		01201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  [phone]

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 (see General Instruction A.2. below):

x Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 

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Item 8.01      Other Events

On March 28, 2011, Berkshire Hills Bancorp, Inc. and Rome Bancorp, Inc. issued a press release announcing the preliminary results of elections made by Rome Bancorp, Inc. stockholders as to the form of merger consideration to be received in the pending merger of Rome Bancorp with and into Berkshire Hills Bancorp.

A copy of the press release announcing the election deadline is being filed herewith as Exhibit 99.1.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

(d)

Exhibits.

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press Release dated March 28, 2011

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.
DATE: March 29, 2011	By:	/s/Kevin P. Riley
		Kevin P. Riley
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

 

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