EXHIBIT 99

NEWS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE          Contact:  Robert E. Evans
January 14, 2000                         President and Chief Executive Officer
                                         (740) 373-3155


                      PEOPLES BANCORP TO CONSOLIDATE BANKS
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         Customer service, product offerings and delivery to be enhanced

MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) today announced plans to
form a single national banking company to enhance customer service through
increased product offerings, consistency of product and service delivery, and
access to all Peoples Bancorp financial service centers.
         "Many customers like the personal touch our associates provide. It will
be enhanced. A growing number of customers are using our electronic systems for
access. These will also be enhanced," commented Robert E. Evans, President and
Chief Executive Officer. "By pooling our human and financial resources, we will
be better prepared to leverage the Company's financial capabilities without
losing the personal touch we have established and maintained in our markets for
the last 100 years."
         The consolidation, expected to be completed March 10, 2000, will allow
more of Peoples Bancorp's associates to meet customer needs and spend less time
in administrative activities. The actual consolidation is contingent upon
regulatory approval and other conditions.
         Carol A. Schneeberger, Executive Vice President of Operations, said,
"This will be a seamless transition for our customers, since our banking
companies already share the same corporate culture, business processes, and
commitment to customer service. Operationally, it simply makes more sense to
consolidate when possible if the customers benefit from increased access to all
our products, services and facilities."
         Evans added, "We believe that consolidating our banking companies will
speed our transition from a `traditional bank' to a high-performing financial
services organization that offers our customers banking products, insurance and
investment alternatives, and a choice of delivery methods. With recent
regulations that modernized the financial services industry, we think a single
charter provides the best opportunity for Peoples Bancorp to anticipate and fill
customer needs, as well as optimize shareholder returns."
         Peoples Bancorp's current banking and thrift subsidiaries, The Peoples
Banking and Trust Company and Peoples Bank FSB, will consolidate with its
national banking subsidiary, The First National Bank of Southeastern Ohio. The
resulting single banking entity will be renamed "Peoples Bank, National
Association", and operate under the trade name "Peoples Bank." While the
consolidation is expected to provide some enhancement to future shareholder
return via added operating efficiencies, the primary focus is on customer
retention and market share growth by providing improving product and service
convenience and availability.
         Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a diversified financial services holding
company headquartered in Marietta, Ohio, with over $1 billion in assets. Peoples
Bancorp operates 38 financial service locations and 24 ATM's in the states of
Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky. Peoples Bancorp's banking subsidiaries
include The Peoples Banking and Trust Company with offices in Ohio and West
Virginia; The First National Bank of Southeastern Ohio with three Ohio offices;
and Peoples Bank FSB, with four Kentucky offices. Through its subsidiaries,
Peoples Bancorp offers complete banking services and makes available other
financial services, such as trust services, investment and insurance products,
and internet banking. Peoples Bancorp's common stock is traded through the
Nasdaq National Market System under the symbol "PEBO." Learn more about Peoples
Bancorp or enroll in Peoples OnLine Connection, Peoples Bank's internet banking
product, at www.peoplesbancorp.com.

                                 END OF RELEASE