EXHIBIT 23

                 PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                     FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000



                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the  incorporation  by  reference in the  Registration  Statements
pertaining to the Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  Retirement  Savings Plan (Form S-8, No.
33-1803),  the Amended and Restated  1993 Stock  Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp
Inc.  (Form S-8, No.  33-67878),  the 1995 Stock Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp
Inc. (Form S-8, No. 33-59569),  the Deferred  Compensation Plan for Directors of
Peoples Bancorp Inc. and Subsidiaries (Form S-8, No. 333-43629),  the 1998 Stock
Option Plan of Peoples  Bancorp  Inc.  (Form S-8,  No.  333-62935),  the Russell
Federal  Savings  Bank 1995 Stock  Option  and  Incentive  Plan  (Form S-8,  No.
333-63039),  and the Peoples Bancorp Inc. Dividend  Reinvestment Plan (Form S-3,
No.  33-54003)  of our  report  dated  February  2,  2001,  with  respect to the
consolidated  financial  statements  of Peoples  Bancorp Inc.  and  Subsidiaries
included  in this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December  31,
2000.


                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                               Ernst & Young LLP


Charleston, West Virginia
March 9, 2001