EXHIBIT 99

NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      Contact:  Robert Evans
July 2, 2002                                         Chairman and CEO
                                                     (740) 373-3155


                         PEOPLES BANK SELECTS PRESIDENT
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         Marietta, Ohio - Robert Evans, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer,
announced the selection of Mark F. Bradley as President and Chief Operating
Officer of Peoples Bank, NA, a subsidiary of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
(Nasdaq: PEBO). The new appointment was approved at the regular June meeting of
the Peoples Bank Board of Directors.
         "Mark Bradley is the seventh President selected in the 100-year history
of Peoples Bank," stated Evans. "His 10 years of experience with Peoples Bank,
including the positions of Controller and Chief Integration Officer, have been
excellent preparation for continued successful leadership as president of the
bank."
         Evans continued, "Mark has been an integral part of the growth of
Peoples Bank and I am pleased that he is prepared to accept many of the daily
operating responsibilities. It gives me more time for developing long range
plans and expansion of Peoples Bancorp Inc., our financial holding company, that
is the sole owner of the bank, and our affiliated financial service businesses."
         Evans will continue as President and Chief Executive Officer of Peoples
Bancorp Inc., and he will continue as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Peoples Bank. Bradley was also added to the Board of Directors of Peoples Bank,
increasing the number of Peoples Bank directors to 13.
         Peoples Bank has had a history of long-serving presidents. There are
now only seven after 100 years of serving customers. When the bank organized in
1902, David A. Bartlett was elected president. In 1922, John H. McCoy was named
president, and in 1935, Ira Fulton, former Ohio Superintendent of Banks, became
president. In 1952, R. Hobart Morris was promoted to the position and Morris was
followed by William K. Hamer in 1967. Evans became President in 1986 in addition
to his position as President and CEO of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
         "Peoples Bank has an experienced management team," said Evans. "We are
fortunate that Mark has developed his leadership and communication skills
quickly as a part of that team. He is a native of the Marietta area and knows
our markets. Mark has been a participant in the development of our strategic
initiatives, is an integral part of our core values, and understands the vision
that has been a large part of the company's success."
         Bradley is a 1991 graduate of Ohio University, earning a degree in
accounting and business pre-law. At Ohio University, Bradley was a pitcher and
designated hitter for the Bobcat baseball team, and was named second team
Academic All-American his senior year. In 1999 he received his MBA from Ohio
University, and is also a graduate of the Ohio Banker's School. Mark, his wife
Tammi, and daughter, Emilee, live in the Marietta area. He remains active in
sports and radio broadcasts as one "voice" of the Marietta College Pioneer
baseball team as well as other local high school sporting events. Bradley is
also an active participant in community affairs as Treasurer of the Washington
County Community Improvement Corporation, a non-profit organization dedicated to
enhancing local commerce.
         Peoples Bank is a diversified financial services company that offers
complete banking, investment, insurance, and trust products and services through
45 convenient financial service locations and 28 ATM's in the states of Ohio,
West Virginia, and Kentucky. Learn more about Peoples or enroll in Peoples
OnLine Connection internet banking service at www.peoplesbancorp.com.


                                 END OF RELEASE