EXHIBIT 99

NEWS RELEASE


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE         Contact:  John W. Conlon, Chief Financial Officer
---------------------                   (740) 373-3155
December 16, 2002
\

                         PEOPLES BANCORP INC. ANNOUNCES
                         SALE OF 1,440,000 COMMON SHARES
                  --------------------------------------------

         MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) announced the
sale of 1,440,000 common shares at an offering price of $24.00 per share
through a firm commitment underwritten offering managed by Sandler O'Neill &
Partners, L.P.  Peoples Bancorp Inc. has granted the underwriters an option
exercisable within 30 days to purchase up to an additional 216,000 shares to
cover over-allotments.  The offering, which represents a new financing, is
scheduled to close on Thursday, December 19, 2002.

         A copy of the final prospectus relating to the offering may be
obtained from Sandler O'Neill & Partners, L.P., 919 Third Avenue, 6th Floor,
New York, NY 10022, Attn: Syndicate Department.
         Registration statements relating to these securities have been filed
with and declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The
offering is being made only by means of a written prospectus. This press release
shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor
shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in
which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration
or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.
         Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a financial holding company, which offers
traditional banking products, personal trust services, and insurance and
investment products through its principal operating subsidiary, Peoples Bank,
National Association.
         This press release may contain forward-looking statements as defined in
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Whether or not the common
shares are offered may be affected by, and the actual results of the offering
may differ materially from those expected or implied as a result of, certain
risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, changes in economic
conditions, public demand for the common shares and other risks and
uncertainties, as well as those detailed in the filings of Peoples Bancorp Inc.
with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

                                 END OF RELEASE