NBT Bank purchased some former Legacy Bank branches associated with a divestiture required by the U.S. Justice Dept. related to the acquisition of Legacy by Berkshire Bank.  NBT retained Sherwood Guernsey`s firm to help transfer all loans purchased in that transaction to NBT Bank as well as the personal and real property or leases associated with the transaction, including negotiating some terms of the contract.  The process was quite involved and Sherwood and his team worked fast and efficiently to accomplish the task working with multiple parties, including NBT personnel, customers, town and city officials and Berkshire personnel.  Since the branch acquisitions,  NBT has continued to retain Sherwood`s firm on routine as well as complicated transactions, commercial and residential mortgages, a bond financing transaction, commercial work out and collection actions and general banking representation in Berkshire County and beyond.  Sherwood and his staff are great to work with.  They understand the goals and the processes of the Bank, work to protect the interests of the Bank at the same time as promoting the interests of the general community, work extremely well with staff of the Bank and provide expert advice, timely delivered and at reasonable rates.  The Bank feels they have more than an attorney/client relationship with the Sherwood Guernsey Law Firm; we feel we have a true partnership with the firm.  The Bank is very pleased with our on-going relationship.

-F. Sheldon Prentice

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, NBT Bank