Merging entities Berkshire and Brookline rebrand themselves as Beacon Hill after the merger
Beacon Financial Corporation: A Merger of Heritage and Modernity
The Massachusetts-based Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Brookline Bancorp are set to merge, as announced last week. The combined bank will operate as Beacon Bank & Trust, commonly referred to as Beacon Bank, and will trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BBT. The proposed $1.1 billion merger, which was announced in December, is expected to close this quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.
The new name, Beacon Financial Corporation, was carefully chosen to symbolize guidance, strength, and a promise of stability, core principles that the legacy institutions upheld for generations. The name Beacon reflects a desire to be a reliable guide in financial decision-making.
The logo of the new bank intentionally nods to its predecessors, with the top half of the stylized B being gold (Berkshire's signature color) and the lower half being Brookline blue. This creative merging of visual elements forms a stylized, forward-looking "B" symbol. Navy blue and gold colors in the logo honor Berkshire’s and Brookline’s traditional colors, modernized to convey a contemporary approach.
The merger unites their complementary footprints, combining legacy institutions with deep local roots in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The combined bank, Beacon, is expected to have nearly evenly split assets, with Brookline holding $11.6 billion and Berkshire holding roughly $12 billion.
Brookline Bancorp CEO Paul A. Perrault will serve as CEO of the combined entity, while Brunelle will be the chair of the combined company. Perrault stated that the merger will create a powerful financial institution with deep local roots, a broad, complementary footprint, and a strong commitment to its employees, clients, stockholders, and communities.
The merger creates a larger, more powerful financial institution with expanded scale and operational efficiencies. It aims to offer enhanced financial products, trusted local expertise, and stronger community commitment. By removing the Berkshire name after nearly 179 years, the new brand reflects a forward-looking identity for the combined company while honoring both heritages.
The merger of Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Brookline Bancorp is a transformative "merger of equals" expected to close in the third quarter of 2025. Systems integration for the merged bank, Beacon, is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2026. The merged bank looks forward to delivering enhanced capabilities that come from the combined institution's scale and operational strength.
In the second quarter, Brookline, a part of the merged bank, reported a profit of $22 million, a 34% increase from a year earlier. Berkshire, another part of the merged bank, reported a quarterly net income of $30.4 million, a 26.7% increase from last year. The merged bank does not mention any plans to purchase licensing rights for commercial or retail operations.
The merger aims to offer clients clarity, confidence, and trust in their financial decision-making, evoking the idea of a reliable guide. It also has strong local resonance, referencing Boston’s historic Beacon Hill neighborhood, strengthening the bank’s connection to the region. The new name and branding were unanimously approved by each company’s Board of Directors, signaling broad internal support.
- The merger between Berkshire Hills Bancorp and Brookline Bancorp, trading as Beacon Bank & Trust, will form a powerful entity in the finance industry, offering enhanced business products and a strong commitment to the banking-and-insurance sector.
- The combined bank, Beacon Financial Corporation, with its deep local roots and complementary footprint in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, aspires to be a reliable guide in financial decision-making, operating in various aspects of the industry, including finance and business.
