Berkshire Bank

Massachusetts
Banks

Risk Level:

Rating - Danger
High Risk

Summary:

Berkshire Bank cut its ties with gun manufacturers in 2016. The company also has a policy requiring suppliers not to discriminate on the basis of LGBTQ identity even as it fails to protect its own employees from viewpoint discrimination. Berkshire Bank uses its corporate reputation to advance LGBTQ policies and causes. However, the company does not financially support ideological groups hostile to freedom of expression. For these reasons, Berkshire Bank earns a "High Risk" rating.

Criteria
Risk Level
Rationale
Corporate Weaponization
Criteria

Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.

Risk Level
Rationale

In 2016, Berkshire Bank canceled its lending ties to gun manufacturer Sig Sauer (1). Berkshire Bank has a written policy requiring suppliers not to discriminate on the basis of LGBTQ identity and received a score of 100 from the Human Rights Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index (2).

Criteria

Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.

Risk Level
Rationale

Berkshire Bank restricts its giving to small businesses, financial development, and providing safe housing. It does not discriminate against faith-based charities (1).

Criteria

Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.

Risk Level
Rationale

Berkshire Bank does not protect its employees from viewpoint discrimination (1).

Corporate Governance and Public Policy
Criteria

Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Berkshire Bank opposed the Florida Parental Rights in Education Act, which prohibits teaching gender identity and sexual orientation in schools to kids in K-3rd grade (1). Berkshire Bank also signed open letters supporting the Equality Act and opposing laws to protect women’s and girls’ sports (2)(3).

Criteria

Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.

Risk Level
Rationale

Berkshire Bank does not fund any ideological groups or causes hostile to freedom of expression (1)(2).

Criteria

Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Berkshire Bank does not have a PAC, nor does it currently make donations to federal candidates or ideological PACs.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 24, 2023

Company reports are intended for educational use only. Full Disclaimer

Generate Reports
Clear
Toast