EXHIBIT 99

For more information:
Patrick Kelly
Chief Financial Officer
UNITED COMMUNITY FINANCIAL CORP.
(330) 742-0592

                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                    HOME SAVINGS COMPLETES CHARTER CONVERSION

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (July 14, 2003) -- The Home Savings and Loan Company, a
subsidiary of United Community Financial Corp., (NASDAQ: UCFC), converted its
charter, effective July 1, 2003, from a state-chartered savings and loan
association to a state-chartered savings bank. United Community, however, will
maintain its current status as a unitary savings and loan holding company.
         The charter conversion was approved by both the United Community and
Home Savings boards during their May meetings. The Ohio Division of Financial
Institutions approved the conversion in June.
         "The Board of Directors decided to convert our charter for several
reasons," stated Douglas M. McKay, United Community President and Chairman of
the Board and Home Savings CEO. "Foremost, among them is the opportunity to
reduce operating expenses." He noted, "This change in charters does not involve
changing the name of Home Savings, nor does it impact the manner in which we
operate the business. Home Savings will continue to provide our customers with
the same broad product array and service quality that they have come to expect."


Home Savings operates 34 full-service banking offices and five loan production
offices located throughout Ohio and western Pennsylvania, employing nearly 700
people. Additional information on United Community may be found at
www.ucfconline.com. For more information on Home Savings, please visit
www.homesavings.com.






                                       ###