Exhibit 99


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:  Bryna Butler or Phyllis Wilcoxon
1-800-468-6682 or (740) 446-2631

          Ohio Valley Bank acquires Huntington National Bank branches.

     GALLIPOLIS, OHIO - James L. Dailey, chairman and chief executive officer of
Ohio Valley Bank announced  today [Monday] the signing of a definitive  purchase
agreement to acquire two West Virginia branches of The Huntington National Bank.
The two offices had combined deposits of $27 million at December 31, 1998. These
offices are the Milton office,  located at 280 East Main Street, Milton, and the
Barboursville  office,  located in the Krogers Supermarket at 5636 U.S. Route 60
East, Barboursville.

     Jeffrey E.  Smith,  president  and chief  operating  officer of Ohio Valley
Bank,  commented,  "Over  the past  few  years,  Ohio  Valley  Bank has  enjoyed
excellent growth.  We are extremely  pleased with this  transaction.  Milton and
Barboursville  combined with our Cross Lanes  SuperBank  and our Point  Pleasant
Office, will allow us to better serve western West Virginia.

     The purchase is subject to certain  conditions,  including  the approval of
regulatory  authorities  and is expected to be completed in the third quarter of
1999.

     Douglas J. Leech, president for Huntington Banks Southeast Region said, "At
this  time,  the  Milton and  Barboursville  offices  are  located  outside  our
strategic  footprint.  We are  pleased  to  have  reached  an  agreement  with a
reputable  financial  institution located in this market who will work well with
both the customers and employees at these offices."

     Ohio Valley Banc Corp. operates three  subsidiaries:  Ohio Valley Bank, now
with 14 offices in Ohio and W.Va.; Loan Central,  with four offices in Ohio; and
Jackson Savings Bank of Jackson, Ohio. Ohio Valley Banc Corp. stock is traded on
NASDAQ under the symbol OVBC.