Provident Financial 10-Q 2003 Q2 Quarterly report

                PROVIDENT FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


EXHIBIT 32.2

                  CERTIFICATION OF PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL OFFICER
           Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
                  Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of the
Quarterly Report of Provident  Financial Group, Inc.  ("Provident") on Form 10-Q
for the period ending June 30, 2003 (the  "Report"),  I,  Christopher  J. Carey,
Chief Financial Officer  (Principal  Financial  Officer) of Provident,  certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350,  as adopted  pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

   (1)The Report fully complies with the  requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d)
      of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

   (2)The information  contained in the Report fairly presents,  in all material
      respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Provident.

/s/ Christopher J. Carey
- ------------------------
Christopher J. Carey
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

August 14, 2003



[A signed  original of this written  statement  required by Section 906 has been
provided to Provident  Financial  Group,  Inc. and will be retained by Provident
Financial Group, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or
its staff upon request.]