Two Berkshire banks agree to merge in bid to expand local reach.
Adams Community Bank and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank said their combination will strengthen community banking in western Massachusetts while keeping decision-making rooted in the region.
Two long-standing community banks in western Massachusetts have agreed to merge, joining forces in a deal that leaders say will bolster their ability to serve local customers while preserving a distinctly regional focus.
Adams Community Bank, a $1 billion-asset institution based in Adams, and Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, headquartered in Pittsfield with $432 million in assets, announced Monday that their boards had unanimously approved the transaction. The merger is expected to close in late fall 2026, pending regulatory and other approvals.
The combined organization will operate as a mutual banking institution with approximately $1.5 billion in assets, nearly 200 employees and 15 full-service branches across Berkshire County. Its headquarters will be located at 99 West Street in Pittsfield, a building recently acquired by Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
Leaders from both institutions framed the deal as a strategic partnership between two financially viable banks seeking greater scale in an increasingly competitive landscape. Adams Community Bank reported net income of $5.2 million in 2025, while Pittsfield Cooperative Bank posted a loss of $1.2 million in the same year, according to FDIC data.
“This milestone marks an important step forward for both of our institutions,” Julie Fallon Hughes, CEO of Adams Community Bank, said in a statement. “It reflects the shared values that have guided both our banks for generations and the trust our customers place in us every day. Our employees will play a critical role in bringing these two organizations together, serving as stewards of our mission and ambassadors in the communities we call home.”
Hughes is expected to serve as chief executive of the merged institution’s mutual holding company. Gregg Levante, president of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, and Andre Charbonneau, chief operating officer of Adams Community Bank, will continue in leadership roles. The boards of both banks will also be combined, with Jeffrey Grandchamp and John Martin serving as co-chairs.
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The merger comes as community banks across the United States face mounting pressure from rising costs, regulatory demands and competition from larger financial institutions. By combining resources, the two Berkshire-based banks aim to expand lending capacity, invest in infrastructure and improve operational efficiency.
“By bringing our banks together, we will have more capital to invest, deeper experience supporting businesses, individuals, and families, and the same commitment to keeping decisions where they belong — locally in the region,” Levante said in a statement. “The next phase focuses on expanding our infrastructure, moving to a new headquarters, aligning our products, and transitioning to a single core system so we can operate more efficiently and support our customers and communities well into the future.”
The combined bank plans to maintain a strong local identity, with decision-making remaining in the Berkshires. Officials said the institution will continue investing in local businesses and nonprofit organizations, a hallmark of both banks’ longstanding community missions. Deposits will remain fully insured through the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Depositors Insurance Fund.
Both institutions trace their histories back more than a century. Pittsfield Cooperative Bank was founded in 1889, while Adams Community Bank is the result of earlier mergers involving institutions dating to 1869 and 1895.
“Together, we are preserving the vision that defines community banking while building on our shared commitment to this region,” said Michael Daly, CEO of Pittsfield Cooperative Bank.
The agreement follows earlier consolidation efforts in the area. In 2024, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank had pursued a merger with Arrha Credit Union, though that deal did not materialize. Arrha later announced a separate combination with BrightBridge Credit Union, expanding that institution’s footprint across Massachusetts and into Connecticut.
A new name and brand for the combined bank are expected to be announced at a later date, reflecting the histories and identities of both organizations.
“By uniting two mutually owned community banks with deep roots in the Berkshires, we are creating a strong partnership for our customers, employees, and communities.”
– Michael Daly
CEO
Pittsfield Cooperative Bank
Ken McCarthy is manager of marketing communications at Tyfone, where he monitors the credit union industry and contributes to conversations shaping its future. He previously covered credit unions and community banking for American Banker and S&P Global Market Intelligence. He holds a journalism degree from Point Park University and has more than 15 years of experience covering financial services. He is also the author of three literary fiction novels.
