EXHIBIT 99

NEWS RELEASE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2004

Contacts:       PEOPLES BANCORP INC.              BARENGO INSURANCE AGENCY
                Mark F. Bradley                   Randy and James Barengo
                (740) 373-3155                    (740) 373-3994


                PEOPLES BANCORP ACQUIRES BARENGO INSURANCE AGENCY
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         MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) announced that its
insurance subsidiary, Peoples Insurance Agency, Inc., has acquired the Barengo
Insurance Agency, a full-service insurance agency that offers a wide range of
property and casualty, life, and health insurance to both commercial and
individual clients.
         The transaction includes the right to use the company's name ("Barengo
Insurance Agency"), which will operate as a division of Peoples Insurance
Agency. The acquisition is consistent with Peoples Bancorp's strategy of
diversifying its business mix into financial services that complement core
banking operations.
         "It was an easy decision to join forces with the Barengo Agency," said
Mark F. Bradley, Peoples Bancorp's Chief Operating Officer. "Barengo has an
outstanding reputation, a knowledgeable and experienced management team, and a
strong commitment to the success of the their clients. They bring additional
expertise to our existing insurance operations, with full-service insurance
programs and carriers."
         Based in Marietta, Ohio, Barengo Insurance Agency has served the
insurance needs of its clients since its founding by Harry Barengo in 1964.
Total annual revenues are approximately $2.5 million. The majority of Barengo
Insurance Agency revenues are commissions related to property and casualty
insurance, plus group benefits insurance. All employees of the Barengo Insurance
Agency have been retained as employees, including principals Randy and Jim
Barengo, who maintain leadership roles in the new organization.
         "We are pleased to be able to join a company like Peoples," said Jim
Barengo. "Our business has grown successfully over the last several years, and
we look forward to continuing to serve clients through a more expanded financial
service offering. This union is good for our customers and employees."
         In the transaction, Peoples Insurance Agency used a mix of cash and
Peoples Bancorp stock to acquire Barengo Insurance Agency. The acquisition was
completed on May 28, 2004.
         "Insurance is a key component in our comprehensive financial services
offering," summarized Bradley. "With the Barengo Agency, we are gaining
top-notch expertise and believe we are better positioned to enhance shareholder
value."
         Peoples Bancorp Inc., a diversified financial products and services
company with $1.7 billion in assets, makes available a complete line of banking,
insurance, and investment services through 51 locations and 33 ATMs in Ohio,
West Virginia, and Kentucky. Peoples Bancorp financial service units include
Peoples Bank, Peoples Financial Advisors, and Peoples Insurance Agency. Peoples
Bancorp's common shares are traded on the NASDAQ national market under the
symbol "PEBO." Peoples Bancorp is a member of the Russell 3000 index of US
publicly traded companies. Learn more about Peoples at www.peoplesbancorp.com.


Forward-looking Statement
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Rule 175
promulgated there under, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended, and Rule 3b-6 under the Securities Exchange Act, including certain
plans, expectations, goals, and projections, about the benefits to Peoples
Bancorp of Peoples Insurance Agency's acquisition of the Barengo Insurance
Agency. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions,
risks, and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those
contained or implied by such statements for a variety of factors such as: the
businesses of Peoples Insurance Agency and the Barengo Insurance Agency may not
be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish
than expected; the expected synergies from the acquisition may not be fully
realized within the expected timeframes; disruption from the merger may make it
more difficult to maintain relationships with clients, associates, or suppliers;
the required approvals of the merger may not be obtained on the proposed terms
and schedule; and other factors described in Peoples Bancorp's 2003 Annual
Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All
forward-looking statements included in this news release are based on
information available at the time of the release. Neither Peoples Bancorp nor
the Barengo Insurance Agency assumes any obligation to update any
forward-looking statement.


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