EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement on Form S-8 previously filed by Peoples Ohio Financial Corporation on February 21, 2002 and October 31, 2002, of our report dated July 31, 2003 on the consolidated financial statements of Peoples Ohio Financial Corporation, as of June 30, 2003 and 2002 and for each of the years in the three year period ended June 30, 2003, which report and financial statements are contained in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003,. /s/ BKD, LLP - ------------------------------------------- BKD, LLP Cincinnati, Ohio September 24, 2003