Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2001                                    Media Contact:  Jack Cipoletti
                                                               (304) 769-1109

City Holding President and Chief Executive Officer Named

     CHARLESTON, WV--City Holding Company (NASDAQ-NMS: "CHCO"), a $2.52 billion
dollar bank holding company headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, today
announced that Gerald R. Francis will immediately assume the position of
President and Chief Executive Officer of City Holding Company and its lead bank,
City National Bank of West Virginia.

     For the past two months, he has served as special assistant to the Board of
Directors of City Holding Company and City National Bank of West Virginia
pending receipt of a notice of non-objection from the Office of the Comptroller
of the Currency (OCC).  The Board received the anticipated notice from the OCC
on May 4, 2001.

     "I am pleased to be on board as City's new president and CEO and look
forward to meeting the challenges on behalf of our shareholders, customers and
employees," said Francis.

     City Holding Company is the parent company of City National Bank of West
Virginia; Del Amo Savings Bank, FSB; Frontier State Bank; and City Financial
Corporation.  City National Bank, in addition to its banking divisions, operates
CityInsurance Professionals, an insurance agency offering a full range of
insurance products and services; and Jarrett/Aim Communications, a direct mail
service provider.

     Information contained in this news release includes forward-looking
information.  Such forward-looking information involves risks and uncertainties
and is provided to assist investors and Company shareholders in understanding
anticipated operations of the Company, including employment of a new chief
executive officer.  The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update
this forward-looking information.
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