EXHIBIT 99
                                                             ----------
NEWS For Immediate Release
October 24, 2001

                                             For Further Information Contact:

                                             Paul M. Limbert
                                             President & CEO
                                             (304) 234-9000

                                             or

                                             Robert H. Young
                                             Executive VP & CFO
                                             (304) 234-9000

                                             Nasdaq Trading Symbol: WSBC

WesBanco Announces a Change in CRA Rating

WesBanco, Inc., Wheeling, WV ("WesBanco"), a multi-state bank holding company
headquartered in Wheeling, West Virginia, announced today that its Community
Reinvestment Act ("CRA") rating for its subsidiary bank, WesBanco Bank, Inc.
("Bank") has been determined to be "Satisfactory" through the Federal Reserve
Bank appeal process.  WesBanco officials commented that the Federal Reserve
Bank of Cleveland has issued a new Performance Evaluation to the Bank for
the purpose of updating the Bank's public file.

Paul M. Limbert, President and Chief Executive Officer of WesBanco, Inc.
commented "WesBanco's Board of Directors and management are pleased that the
Federal Reserve has acted favorably in support of the Bank's appeal and
revised the Bank's Performance Evaluation."

The change in the Bank's CRA rating will permit WesBanco, Inc. to proceed
with the filing of an application to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland
for the acquisition of American Bancorporation, Wheeling, West Virginia, in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the


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Agreement and Plan of Merger dated February 22, 2001.  The parties anticipate
extending the date set forth in the Agreement by which the closing of the
transaction was required from December 31, 2001 to March 31, 2002.

WesBanco officials also reported a continuation of their efforts to improve
their overall Community Reinvestment Program in accordance with current
regulatory guidance and under the leadership of CFO Robert Young.
Comprehensive programs have been established to provide additional community
outreach, more diversified retail marketing efforts and additional loan
products for qualifying individuals.  The loan products currently available
include a home weatherization loan, a home purchase loan program, and an
automobile loan product for lower-income customers.

WesBanco is a $2.5 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., a full service
commercial bank, WesBanco Insurance Services, an insurance broker primarily
focused on commercial property and casualty insurance, and WesBanco
Securities, Inc., a full service broker/dealer that also operates Mountaineer
Securities, WesBanco's discount brokerage operation.