EXHIBIT 23

                 PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K
                     FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2001



                         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), and the Peoples
Bancorp Inc. Dividend Reinvestment Plan (Form S-3, No. 33-54003) of our report
dated February 20, 2002, 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, 2001.


                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                           Ernst & Young LLP


Charleston, West Virginia
March 5, 2002