CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We  consent  to the  reference  to our firm  under the  caption  Experts  in the
Registration  Statement  (Form S-4) and related  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  of
Peoples Bancorp Inc. for the registration of 100,000 of its common shares and to
the  incorporation  by reference  therein of our report dated  February 7, 2000,
with respect to the  consolidated  financial  statements of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
and  Subsidiaries  included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                    -----------------
                                    Ernst & Young LLP

Charleston, West Virginia
December 15, 2000