EXHIBIT 99

NEWS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         Contact:  Robert E. Evans
---------------------                   President and Chief Executive Officer
June 27, 2000                           (740) 373-3155


                   PEOPLES BANCORP LISTED IN "OHIO'S TOP 100"
          -------------------------------------------------------------

MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) was recently recognized by
The Cleveland Plain Dealer as one of the Top 100 businesses in Ohio, ranking
60th on this year's list.
         Each year The Plain Dealer 100 honors the top  performing  publicly
traded companies  with  headquarters  in Ohio,  ranking  companies by five
measures of performance and size weighted equally at 20% of the overall
composite score: two year  total  return to  shareholders,  return on  average
equity,  revenue  and earnings growth, and total annual revenue generated.
         "It is an honor to be recognized for the results of our efforts to
deliver quality financial products in our many communities," said Robert E.
Evans, President and CEO of Peoples Bancorp. "The employees of Peoples Bancorp
deserve this award for their commitment to serving client needs, and we will
continue to make investments in financial service solutions that benefit our
clients and communities."
         In 1999, Peoples Bancorp reported its 26th consecutive year of
increased earnings, as net income reached $10.7 million and return on
shareholders equity exceeded 13%. In 1998, Peoples Bancorp ranked 80th on The
Plain Dealer's Top 100 list.
         Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a diversified financial services company with
$1.1 billion in assets. The Company's lead subsidiary is Peoples Bank, which
offers complete banking products and services through 38 financial service
locations and 25 ATM's in the states of Ohio, West Virginia, and Kentucky.
Peoples Bank also makes available other financial services via Peoples
Investments, which provides client-tailored solutions for fiduciary needs,
investment alternatives, and other asset management needs (securities are
offered exclusively through Raymond James Financial Services, member NASD/SIPC,
an independent broker/dealer located at Peoples Bank). Peoples Insurance Agency
provides a full set of life, property and casualty insurance products and
services. Peoples Bancorp's common stock is traded through the Nasdaq National
Market System under the symbol PEBO. Learn more about Peoples Bancorp or enroll
in Peoples OnLine Connection internet banking service at www.peoplesbancorp.com.

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