EXHIBIT 99
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NEWS For Immediate Release
September 17, 2001                     For Further Information Contact:

                                       Paul M. Limbert  or  Robert H. Young
                                       President & CEO      Executive V/P-CFO
                                       (304) 234-9206       (304) 234-9447

                                       Nasdaq Trading Symbol: WSBC


WesBanco Announces Regulatory Notification and Appeal


WesBanco, Inc. ("WesBanco"), a multi-state bank holding company headquartered
in Wheeling, West Virginia, previously announced that its banking subsidiary,
WesBanco Bank, Inc. ("Bank") had received notification from its banking
regulator, the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, of a downgrading of the
bank's Community Reinvestment Act ("CRA") rating.

After a thorough analysis of the Bank's CRA performance and the Federal
Reserve's Performance Evaluation and other related factors, the Bank's Board
of Directors has approved the preparation and filing of an appeal with the
Federal Reserve of the CRA downgrade.  This appeal has been filed in
accordance with the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland's internal guidelines.
The Performance Evaluation, which indicates an overall rating of "Needs to
Improve" is now available in the bank's Public Files in accordance with
regulatory requirements.

Paul M. Limbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of WesBanco, Inc.
commented, "The Bank's Board of Directors and management team believe that
the Bank continues to meet the overall credit needs of all individuals living
in the communities we serve. Our appeal will, in part, focus on economic and
geographic factors as they relate to our performance as evaluated by the
Federal Reserve."



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WesBanco Press Release                                                Page 2

The impact of the downgrade of the Bank's CRA rating could be anticipated to
adversely affect the ability of WesBanco to obtain regulatory approval for
its previously announced acquisition with American Bancorporation.  This
regulatory action is not directed at, nor does it involve, either Freedom
Bancshares, Inc. or American Bancorporation.  With regard to WesBanco's
previously announced acquisition with Freedom Bancshares, Inc., WesBanco and
Freedom Bancshares, Inc. have mutually agreed to terminate the definitive
Agreement and Plan of Merger providing for the merger of Freedom Bancshares
affiliate, Belington Bank, Belington, West Virginia, with and into WesBanco's
affiliate, WesBanco Bank, Inc. American Bancorporation and WesBanco will
evaluate their options under the applicable merger agreement, and determine
an appropriate course as the appeal process proceeds.

WesBanco is a $2.4 billion multi-state bank holding company presently
operating through 59 banking offices in the states of West Virginia and Ohio.
Its principal subsidiaries include WesBanco Bank, Inc., an insurance company,
WesBanco Insurance Services and WesBanco Securities, Inc., a full service
broker/dealer that also operates Mountaineer Securities, WesBanco's discount
brokerage operation.

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