Berkshire Bank

Berkshire Hills Bancorp
Massachusetts
Banks

Corprate Bias Ratings

Risk Level:

Rating - Caution
Medium Risk

Berkshire Bank cut its ties with gun manufacturers in 2016. The company vets vendors according to LGBTQ policies and does not provide its employees with protections against viewpoint discrimination. Berkshire Bank does not seem to discriminate against religious organizations in its charitable giving. It also covers the cost of "medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children. Berkshire Bank uses its corporate reputation to advance LGBTQ policies and causes. 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 received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign. Among other requirements, this indicates the company has a written policy pledging to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies (2)(3).

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 seem to 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 provide viewpoint protections for its employees (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). It also signed open letters supporting the Equality Act (2). Berkshire Bank was part of the Freedom for All Americans coalition, which advocated for federal legislation that would overrule state laws designed to protect girls’ sports and similar laws (3). The company has posted a blog post that highlights its LGBT advocacy, including gender inclusive restrooms and usage of pronouns in the workplace (4).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
Rationale

Berkshire Bank has a perfect score on the HRC’s 2022 Corporate Equality Index. This score indicates the company covers the cost of “medically necessary transition-related care” for its employees and their children (1)(2).

Criteria

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

Risk Level
N/A
Rationale

Berkshire Bank does not operate a PAC at this time.

All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
December 5, 2023

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