Filed by National City Corporation pursuant to
                                Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933 and
                                deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under
                                the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                                Subject Company: Provident Financial Group, Inc.
                                Commission File Number: 001-08019




This filing contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but
are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the merger between National
City Corporation and Provident Financial Group, Inc., including future financial
and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations
and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. Such
statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of National
City's and Provident's management and are subject to significant risks and
uncertainties. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the
forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from
those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the ability to obtain
governmental approvals of the merger on the proposed terms and schedule; the
failure Provident stockholders to approve the merger; the risk that the
businesses will not be integrated successfully; the risk that the cost savings
and any other synergies from the merger may not be fully realized or may take
longer to realize than expected; disruption from the merger making it more
difficult to maintain relationships with clients, employees or suppliers;
increased competition and its effect on pricing, spending, third-party
relationships and revenues; the risk of new and changing regulation in the U.S.
and internationally. Additional factors that could cause National City's and
Provident's results to differ materially from those described in the
forward-looking statements can be found in the 2003 Quarterly Reports on Form
10-Q and the 2002 Annual Report on Form 10-K of National City and Provident
filed with the SEC and available at the SEC's Internet site
(http://www.sec.gov).

STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING
THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, BECAUSE IT WILL CONTAIN
IMPORTANT INFORMATION. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the
joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing
information about National City and Provident, without charge, at the SEC's
Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the joint proxy
statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by
reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, without
charge, by directing a request to National City Corporation, National City
Center, 1900 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114-3484, Attention: Office of
the Secretary (216-222-2000), or to Provident Financial Group, Inc., One East
Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, Attention: Secretary (513-579-2861).

The respective directors and executive officers of National City and Provident
and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of
proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information regarding National City's
directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement filed with
the SEC by National City on March 13, 2003, and information regarding
Provident's directors and executive officers is available in its proxy statement
filed with the SEC by Provident on April 30, 2003. Other information regarding
the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and
indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained the
joint proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials to be filed with
the SEC when they become available.



                                   **********





In addition to the weekly Q&A, leaders from National City and Provident recently
met to discuss what lies ahead as the two companies become one. A video of the
highlights of this event is being distributed to managers so that all Provident
associates may learn the latest about the merger.

There has been considerable discussion regarding the retention bonus and
different interpretations of who would be eligible for the minimum retention
bonus of 3 months pay. Can you clarify? All persons who qualify under the
displacement pay policy and whose jobs are eliminated, whether soon after the
60-day notice or after a longer transition period, will be eligible for a
3-month retention bonus as long as they:
1. Are not offered a different position for which they are qualified, and
2. Work until the last day they are asked to work.

If my position is eliminated, will I be eligible to receive both unemployment
benefits and displacement pay benefits at the same time? In the State of Ohio,
we, as your employer, are required by law to indicate to the state what your
last date of employment was and what, if any, displacement pay you received. You
are not eligible to receive any unemployment insurance while still receiving a
displacement benefit. So, if you receive a 12-week displacement benefit, spread
out over 12 weeks, you would be ineligible for unemployment benefits until after
you have received your final displacement benefit.

If you live in a state other than Ohio, you should check with your state
unemployment compensation office to confirm what your state requirements are.
Provident will be providing the same information to each state, but they may
have different policies than Ohio with regard to receiving both benefits
simultaneously.

You have indicated that National City will have an on-site representative in
Cincinnati, beginning in April, to discuss career opportunities with National
City. Can I apply for positions with National City then?
The purpose of the on-site representative is to talk with you in general about
the types of career opportunities for you with National City, their
organizational structure, the kinds of positions for which your background would
qualify you, etc. Provident associates will be given opportunities to post for
National City openings, effective after Federal approval. We will rotate the
location of this on-site representative among different Cincinnati offices and
will provide a schedule as soon as possible.

What happens to my ESPP account if my job is eliminated prior to the closing?
Nobody's job will be eliminated prior to the closing date (projected to be at
the end of June). The earliest any job could be eliminated is 60 days after
regulatory approval of the merger (projected to be mid- to late May), making the
earliest job eliminations possible somewhere in the mid- to late July. You can
continue or discontinue your ESPP salary withdrawals as long as you are still
employed and as long as you follow the program guidelines. After the closing of
the merger, all Provident stock will be converted to National City Stock. Your
ESPP shares will always belong to you. A decision regarding continuation of the
ESPP






program, and/or its structure after the closing, has not yet been made. As soon
as a decision is made, all participants will be notified.

What is the difference between the retention bonus and displacement pay? Why are
there two separate programs?
The only real similarity between the two is that both programs require that you
work through the date you are asked. The retention bonus is designed to
encourage people to stay with Provident until their displacement date and is
paid in a lump sum. The displacement pay is paid in salary continuation and is
designed to help people make the transition from current employment to future
employment, retirement, or whatever they choose to do. It rewards years of
service with the organization and recognizes the differing time frames needed to
find employment based upon the narrowing of job opportunities for positions of
increasing responsibility.

If I qualify for early retirement, what are the advantages and benefits?
Normal retirement eligibility at Provident is age 65, with at least 5 years of
service and status as a full-time or hourly full-time associate (part-time
associates should contact Human Resources regarding their eligibility for
retirement benefits). Early retirement is available through a combination of age
and years of service, with a minimum age of 50 and service of 10 years required.
You must take your age (if at least 50) and add that to your years of service.
If the sum is at least 70, you would qualify for early retirement (e.g., if you
are 50 years old, you would need at least 20 years of service to reach the
qualifying number of 70).

If you meet these eligibility requirements, and are enrolled in Provident's
medical insurance plan, you can continue coverage by paying 100% of the cost
(you currently pay approximately 25%). You also will have an employer paid
$10,000 life insurance policy, can keep your employee checking account and safe
deposit box, have a retirement party, and receive distributions from the
retirement plan. Retirees also receive a contribution to the Profit Sharing Plan
for the year in which they retire. If you receive displacement pay from National
City, you can collect your displacement pay first and then retire at the end of
the displacement period.

I've heard about conversion teams being created. Can you tell me more?
Both companies have formed a conversion taskforce representing each line of
business. Both taskforces are meeting, sharing information and making plans for
the future conversion. More details will be distributed as they become
available.

Stockholders are urged to read the joint proxy statement/prospectus regarding
the proposed transaction when it becomes available, because it will contain
important information. Stockholders will be able to obtain a free copy of the
joint proxy statement/prospectus, as well as other filings containing
information about National City Corporation and Provident Financial Group, Inc.,
without charge, at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the
joint proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be
incorporated by reference in the joint proxy statement/prospectus can also be
obtained, without charge, by directing a request to National






City Corporation, National City Center, 1900 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio
44114-3484 Attention: Office of the Secretary (216-222-2000), or to Provident
Financial Group, Inc., One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 Attention:
Secretary (513-579-2861). The respective directors and executive officers of
National City and Provident and other persons may be deemed to be participants
in the solicitation of proxies in respect of the proposed merger. Information
regarding National City's directors and executive officers is available in its
proxy statement filed with the SEC by National City on March 13, 2003, and
information regarding Provident's directors and executive officers is available
in its proxy statement filed with the SEC by Provident on April 30, 2003. Other
information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a
description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or
otherwise, will be contained the joint proxy statement/prospectus and other
relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.