WESBANCO INC
SC 13D, 1997-09-22
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL BANKS
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                                                              Page 1 of 28 pages

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                       COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES, INCORPORATED
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                     Common Stock, par value $5.00 per share
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   201143 10 4
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                           Edward M. George, President
                                 Wesbanco, Inc.
                                   Bank Plaza
                               Wheeling, WV 26003
                                 (304) 234-9202
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                  (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person
                Authorized to Receive Notices and Communications)

                               September 12, 1997
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If the filing person has previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the  acquisition  which is the subject of this  Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box /  /.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise  subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act.



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CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 2 of 28 pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 Schedule 13D



1.  NAME OF REPORTING PERSON                                      Wesbanco, Inc.

    S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON                55-0571723

2.  CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP
     (a)  /   /
     (b)  /   /

3.  SEC USE ONLY




4.  SOURCE OF FUNDS                                                       BK, WC

5.  CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED
PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or 2(e)                                             /   /

6.  CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION                           West Virginia

    NUMBER OF SHARES        7. SOLE VOTING POWER                        4,210(1)
   BENEFICIALLY OWNED       8. SHARED VOTING POWER                          0(1)
    BY EACH REPORTING       9. SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER                   4,210(1)
       PERSON WITH         10. SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER                     0(1)
                               

11.  AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON       4,210(1)



12.  CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN 
     SHARES                                                                /   /

13.  PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)                    0%(2)

14.   TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON                                                HC

- ----------------------

(1)   The Reporting Person has entered into a Stock Option Agreement dated as of
September  12, 1997  covering  321,620  shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock (as
defined herein) or  approximately  16.6% of the shares that would be outstanding
following the exercise thereof.  Unless and until the option granted  thereunder
is exercised,  the Reporting Person disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares
covered thereby.

(2)   The 4,210 shares of Commercial  Common Stock (as defined  herein) owned by
the  Reporting  Person  represents .002% of the  total  outstanding   shares  of
Commercial Common Stock.


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CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 3 of 28 pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            This  Schedule 13D is being filed in  connection  with the Letter of
Agreement dated September 12, 1997 (the "Letter  Agreement"),  between Wesbanco,
Inc.,  a West  Virginia  corporation  ("Wesbanco")  and  Commercial  Bancshares,
Incorporated,  a West  Virginia  corporation  ("Commercial"),  pursuant to which
Commercial  will be merged with and into a newly formed  subsidiary  of Wesbanco
and the  outstanding  Common  Stock,  par value  $5.00  per share of  Commercial
("Commercial  Common  Stock"),  will be converted into shares of common stock of
Wesbanco.  In  connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  by the  Letter
Agreement,  Wesbanco and Commercial entered into an Option Agreement dated as of
September 12, 1997 (the "Option Agreement") pursuant to which Commercial granted
Wesbanco an option to purchase up to 321,620  shares of Commercial  Common Stock
at an exercise price of $50.00 per share, with the number of shares and exercise
price subject to adjustment in certain circumstances as provided therein.

            COPIES OF THE LETTER AGREEMENT AND THE OPTION AGREEMENT ARE ATTACHED
HERETO AS EXHIBIT 1 AND EXHIBIT 2, RESPECTIVELY,  AND ARE INCORPORATED HEREIN BY
REFERENCE.  THE  DESCRIPTIONS OF THE LETTER  AGREEMENT AND THE OPTION  AGREEMENT
CONTAINED IN THIS SCHEDULE 13D ARE  QUALIFIED IN THEIR  ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO
THE COMPLETE TEXT OF SUCH EXHIBITS.


Item 1.     Security and Issuer

            The title of the class of equity  securities  to which this Schedule
13D  relates is the common  stock,  par value  $5.00 per  share,  of  Commercial
Bancshares,   Incorporated.   The  principal  executive  offices  of  Commercial
Bancshares,  Incorporated  are located at 415 Market Street,  Parkersburg,  West
Virginia 26101.


Item 2.     Identity and Background

            This statement is being filed by on behalf of Wesbanco, Inc., a West
Virginia corporation. The principal executive offices of Wesbanco are located at
Bank Plaza,  Wheeling,  West Virginia 26003.  Wesbanco is a bank holding company
registered  under the Bank  Holding  Company  Act of 1956,  as  amended,  and is
principally  engaged in the  business  of  managing  and  controlling  banks and
activities closely related to banking.

            Annex I attached  hereto and  incorporated  herein by reference sets
forth the  following  information  with respect to each  director and  executive
officer of  Wesbanco:  (a) name;  (b)  residence  or business  address;  and (c)
present principal  occupation or employment and the name, principal business and
address of any  corporation or other  organization  in which such  employment is
conducted. All of the directors and executive officers of Wesbanco identified on
Annex I are United States citizens.

            During the last five years,  neither  Wesbanco nor, to the knowledge
of  Wesbanco,  any of the persons  named in Annex I (i) has been  convicted in a
criminal proceeding (excluding




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CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 4 of 28 pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

traffic violations or similar misdemeanors); or (ii) has been a party to a civil
proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as
a result was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future
violations  of, or prohibiting  or mandating  activities  subject to, federal or
state securities laws, or finding any violation with respect to such laws.


Item 3.     Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration

            Pursuant to the Option  Agreement,  Commercial  granted  Wesbanco an
option  to  purchase  up to  321,620  shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  (the
"Option"),  subject to adjustment in certain  circumstances as provided therein.
The exercise  price under the Option  Agreement is $50.00 per share,  subject to
adjustment as provided  therein,  and the aggregate  amount of funds required to
exercise  the  Option in full  would be  $16,081,000.  If and when the Option is
exercised,  Wesbanco's  source of funds would be either working capital or funds
borrowed from one or more banks in the ordinary course of business; the identity
of such bank or banks has not yet been determined.


Item 4.     Purpose of Transaction

            Wesbanco and  Commercial  have  entered  into the Letter  Agreement,
which  contemplates  the  merger  ("Merger")  of  Commercial  with  and  into  a
newly-formed  subsidiary  of Wesbanco.  Pursuant to the Letter  Agreement,  each
share of Commercial Common Stock outstanding on the effective date of the Merger
would be converted  into 2.85 shares of the common stock,  par value $2.0833 per
share of Wesbanco  ("Wesbanco  Common Stock").  Consummation of the transactions
contemplated by the Letter  Agreement are subject to the satisfaction of certain
conditions  precedent,  including  among  other  things,  the  negotiation  of a
definitive agreement and plan of merger.

            Wesbanco  has  entered  into  the  Option   Agreement  in  order  to
facilitate consummation of the Merger and the other transactions contemplated by
the Letter Agreement.  See also Item 6 hereof for a description of certain other
provisions of the Letter Agreement and the Option Agreement.

            If the Merger is consummated,  the separate  corporate  existence of
Commercial  shall cease, and all outstanding  shares of Commercial  Common Stock
will be converted into Wesbanco  Common Stock.  As a result,  Commercial  Common
Stock will cease to be  authorized,  to be quoted in an  inter-dealer  quotation
system of a registered national securities  association and will become eligible
for termination of registration  pursuant to Section  12(g)(4) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934.

            Except as  otherwise  set  forth in Items 4, 5 and 6 hereof  and the
Exhibits to this Schedule 13D, Wesbanco does not now have any plans or proposals
which relate to or would  result in any of the actions  specified in clauses (a)
through (j), inclusive of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.



<PAGE>


CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 5 of 28 pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Item 5.     Interest in Securities of the Issuer

            The 321,620 shares of Commercial  Common Stock subject to the Option
represent approximately 16.8% of the 1,937,807 shares of Commercial Common Stock
that would be issued and outstanding upon exercise of the Option in full. Unless
and until the Option is exercised,  Wesbanco disclaims  beneficial  ownership of
the  shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  subject to the  Option.  Accordingly,
Wesbanco has no voting  rights with respect to the shares of  Commercial  Common
Stock subject to the Option.

            As of the date hereof,  Wesbanco  holds an aggregate of 4,210 shares
of Commercial Common Stock. The shares were purchased on various dates through a
registered  broker on the open market.  Two such  purchases were made within the
last 60 days of the date hereof.  On August 13, 1997  Wesbanco  purchased on the
open market through a registered  broker,  200 shares of Commercial Common Stock
for  $46.90 a share.  Another  purchase  was made on  August 7, 1997 on the open
market through a registered  broker,  of 1,500 shares of Commercial Common Stock
at a purchase price of $46.65 per share. Wesbanco has the sole power to vote and
the sole power to dispose of the 4,210 shares of  Commercial  Common Stock owned
by it.

            Except as otherwise described herein,  neither Wesbanco,  nor to the
best of Wesbanco's  knowledge,  any of the persons listed on Annex I hereto, has
effected any transaction with respect to Commercial Common Stock within the past
60 days.


Item 6.     Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with
            Respect to Securities of the Issuer.

Letter Agreement

            A description of selected  provisions of the Letter Agreement is set
forth below.  Such  description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Letter  Agreement filed as Exhibit 1 hereto,  which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.

            The Letter  Agreement  provides  that, on the effective  date of the
Merger,  each share of Commercial Common Stock outstanding  immediately prior to
such date will be  converted  into 2.85 shares of  Wesbanco  Common  Stock.  The
Letter  Agreement  provides that  Commercial,  except for shares that may become
issuable  pursuant to the Option  Agreement  and except for a minimum of 116,000
shares and  maximum of  142,000  shares  issuable  by  Commercial  in a proposed
acquisition  of  another  bank  holding  company,  will not issue any  shares of
Commercial  Common  Stock or grant any options for  Commercial  Common  Stock or
preferred stock.

            The  Letter  Agreement  provides  that the  Merger is subject to the
satisfaction  of certain  conditions  precedent,  including (a) negotiation of a
definitive  agreement  and  plan of



<PAGE>


CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 6 of 28 pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

merger; (b) completion of due diligence  investigations  reasonably satisfactory
to Wesbanco and Commercial within 14 days of the Letter  Agreement;  (c) receipt
of all necessary  contractual,  creditor and regulatory approvals for the Merger
and expiration of all waiting  periods  required by law; (d) compliance with the
Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  and  applicable  state  securities  laws,
including  filing a  registration  statement  with the  Securities  and Exchange
Commission;  (e)  compliance  with all  applicable  federal  and state  laws and
regulations  concerning  the  Merger,  the  absence  in all  orders,  decrees or
advisory  letters  of  regulatory  authorities  concerning  the  Merger  of  any
conditions  reasonably  deemed  objectionable to Wesbanco and the absence of any
actual or threatened  litigation  under federal  antitrust  laws; (f) receipt of
certain tax opinions; (g) the taking by Wesbanco and Commercial of all necessary
corporate and shareholder  action; (h) receipt by Wesbanco of certain accounting
letters;  and (i) receipt by Commercial of a fairness opinion from its financial
advisor. Wesbanco's obligations to consummate the Merger are also subject to the
condition  that there be no material  adverse  change in the financial and other
conditions of Commercial since June 30, 1997.

            The  Letter  Agreement  may be  terminated  by  either  Wesbanco  or
Commercial  if a  definitive  agreement  and plan of merger is not  executed  by
September 30, 1997, or if the Merger is not consummated by March 31, 1998, or if
the market  value (as to be defined in the  definitive  agreement),  of Wesbanco
Common Stock falls below $25 per share. During the term of the Letter Agreement,
Commercial may not solicit or initiate  discussions,  negotiations or agreements
with any  person  or entity  other  than  Wesbanco  concerning  a merger,  share
exchange,  acquisition  or other  business  combination  or change in control of
Commercial.

Option Agreement

            A description of selected  provisions of the Option Agreement is set
forth below.  Such  description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
Option  Agreement filed as Exhibit 2 hereto,  which is incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.

            The Option Agreement  provides for the purchase by Wesbanco of up to
321,620  shares of  Commercial  Common Stock at an exercise  price of $50.00 per
share (the "Option  Price");  provided,  however,  that in the event  Commercial
issues or agrees to issue any shares of  Commercial  Common Stock (other than as
permitted under the Letter Agreement) at a price less than $50.00 per share, the
exercise  price shall be equal to such lesser price.  In the event of any change
in Commercial  Common Stock by reason of stock  dividends,  split-ups,  mergers,
recapitalizations,  combinations,  exchanges of shares or the like, the type and
number of shares  subject to the Option,  and/or the  purchase  price per share,
shall be adjusted  appropriately.  Also, in the event that any additional shares
of Commercial Common Stock are issued or otherwise become  outstanding after the
date of the Option Agreement (other than pursuant to the Option Agreement),  the
number of shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  subject to the  Option  shall be
adjusted so that,  after such issuance,  it equals 19.9% of the number of shares
of Commercial Common Stock then issued and outstanding  without giving effect to
any shares subject or issued pursuant to the Option.

            Provided that Wesbanco is not in material  breach of the  agreements
and  covenants  contained  in the Letter  Agreement,  Wesbanco  may exercise the
Option only upon the occurrence



<PAGE>


CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 7 of 28 pages
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of certain events (each, a "Purchase Event"). The Option Agreement provides that
a Purchase Event shall mean the occurrence of any of the following  events after
the date of  execution  of the  Option  Agreement:  (i) any person  (other  than
Wesbanco, an affiliate thereof,  Commercial or any Commercial  subsidiary) shall
have  commenced  a bona fide  tender or  exchange  offer to  purchase  shares of
Commercial  Common Stock such that upon  consummation  of such offer such person
would own or control 15% or more of the outstanding  shares of Commercial Common
Stock;  (ii) any person (other than  Commercial or any  Commercial  subsidiary),
other than in  connection  with a  transaction  to which  Wesbanco has given its
prior  written  consent,  shall have  filed an  application  or notice  with any
federal or state  regulatory  agency for  clearance or  approval,  to (x) merge,
consolidate or enter into any similar  transaction with Commercial or any of its
subsidiaries,  (y) purchase, lease or otherwise acquire all or substantially all
of the assets of  Commercial  or any of its  subsidiaries,  or (z)  purchase  or
otherwise acquire (including by way of merger, consolidation,  share exchange or
any similar transaction) securities representing 51% or more of the voting power
of  Commercial  or any of its  subsidiaries;  (iii) any other person (other than
Wesbanco,  an affiliate  thereof,  Commercial,  any subsidiary  thereof,  or any
Wesbanco subsidiary or Commercial subsidiary in a fiduciary capacity) shall have
acquired  beneficial  ownership or the right to acquire beneficial  ownership of
15% or more of the  outstanding  shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock;  (iv) any
person (other than Commercial or any of its subsidiaries) shall have made a bona
fide proposal to Commercial by public announcement or written communication that
is or becomes the subject of public disclosure to (x) acquire  Commercial or any
of its subsidiaries by merger,  consolidation,  purchase of all or substantially
all of its  assets  or any  other  similar  transaction,  or (y)  make an  offer
described in clause (i) above; or (v) Commercial  shall have willfully  breached
Section 7.21(d) of the definitive  agreement and plan of merger being negotiated
by Wesbanco and Commercial  which breach would entitle Wesbanco to terminate the
definitive  agreement  and plan of merger  and such  breach  shall not have been
cured prior to the date on which Wesbanco shall notify  Commercial of its intent
to exercise the Option.

            The  Option  may be  exercised  in whole or in part,  at one or more
closings,  and may be  exercised  at any time if a  Purchase  Event  shall  have
occurred and be continuing and before the Option  Agreement is  terminated.  The
Option  Agreement  provides  that to the  extent  that it  shall  have  not been
exercised,  the Option shall  terminate (a) on the effective date of the Merger;
(b) upon the  termination of either of the Merger  Agreement in accordance  with
the respective  provisions  thereof  (other than a termination  resulting from a
willful breach by Commercial of Section 7.21(d) of the definitive  agreement and
plan of merger or  following  the  occurrence  of a Purchase  Event,  failure of
Commercial's  shareholders  to approve the  agreement  and plan of merger by the
vote required under applicable law); or (c) six months after  termination of the
agreement  and plan of merger due to a willful  breach by  Commercial of Section
7.21(d)  of the  definitive  agreement  and plan of  merger  or,  following  the
occurrence of a Purchase Event, failure to Commercial's  shareholders to approve
the  definitive  agreement  and  plan  of  merger  by the  vote  required  under
applicable law.

            If at any time during the eighteen months immediately  following the
first  purchase of shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  pursuant to the Option,
Wesbanco desires to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or any of
the shares of Commercial  Common Stock acquired by it pursuant to the Option, it
will offer  Commercial an  opportunity to purchase such shares on 




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CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 8 of 28 pages
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the same  terms  and  conditions  and at the same  price  at which  Wesbanco  is
proposing to transfer  such shares to a third party,  subject to the  provisions
and exceptions set forth in the Option Agreement.

            Upon the  consummation  of a Purchase  Event such that (i) a merger,
consolidation, purchase, lease or acquisition of all or substantially all of the
assets of Commercial,  purchase or other acquisition of securities  representing
51% or more of the voting power of  Commercial  or any  subsidiary of Commercial
has been  consummated,  or (ii) a willful  breach under  Section  7.21(d) of the
definitive  agreement and plan of merger has occurred so that Wesbanco  would be
entitled to terminate such agreement,  and prior to the expiration of the Option
in  accordance  with the  terms  of the  Option  Agreement,  at the  request  of
Wesbanco,  Commercial shall repurchase the Option from Wesbanco at a price equal
to the  difference  between  the  market/offer  price (as  defined in the Option
Agreement)  for  shares  of  Commercial  Common  Stock  and  the  Option  Price,
multiplied  by the  number of shares  for which  the  Option  being  surrendered
hereunder  may then be exercised but only if the  market/offer  price is greater
than the Option Price.

            The Option  Agreement  provides  that at the  request  of  Wesbanco,
Commercial  will file a  registration  statement  in order to permit the sale or
other  disposition  of the  shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  that have been
acquired upon  exercise of the Option with the intended  method of sale or other
disposition requested by Wesbanco. Commercial will use its best efforts to cause
such  registration  statement  first to  become  effective  and  then to  remain
effective  for  such  period  not in  excess  of 270  days  from  the  day  such
registration statement first becomes effective as may be reasonably necessary to
effect such sales or other dispositions.

            Christopher V. Criss,  a member of Wesbanco's  Board of Directors is
the President and Chief Executive Officer, a Director and a shareholder of Atlas
Towing Co. ("Atlas").  Atlas is the holder of 39,023 shares of Commercial Common
Stock  representing  2.0% of the total  outstanding  shares of Commercial Common
Stock.  Also,  Mr.  Criss's  brother,  A.  Vernon  Criss,  III, is a  member  of
Commercial's  Board of Directors and a shareholder  of Atlas as well.  Atlas has
the sole power to vote and the sole  power to  dispose  of the 39,023  shares of
Commercial Common Stock owned by it.

            Other than pursuant to the  provisions  of the Letter  Agreement and
the Option  Agreement  described in this  Schedule  13D,  except for  Commercial
Common  Stock to be issued in  connection  with a proposed  acquisition,  and as
otherwise  described  herein,  neither  Wesbanco nor any of the persons named in
Annex I  attached  hereto has any  contracts,  arrangements,  understandings  or
relationships (legal or otherwise) with respect to any securities of Commercial,
including  but not  limited  to  transfer  or voting  of any of the  securities,
finder's  fees,  joint  ventures,  loan or option  arrangements,  puts or calls,
guarantees of profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding
of proxies.

<PAGE>


CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                         Page 9 of 28 pages
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Item 7.     Material to Be Filed as Exhibits.

Exhibit No.             Description

1.          Letter Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of September  12,
            1997, between Wesbanco, Inc. and Commercial Bancshares,
            Incorporated (filed herewith).

2.          Stock Option Agreement dated September 12, 1997, between
            Wesbanco, Inc. and Commercial Bancshares, Incorporated (filed
            herewith).


<PAGE>

CUSIP NO. 201143 10 4                                        Page 10 of 28 pages
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                   SIGNATURE

            After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
I certify that the information set forth in this Statement is true, complete and
correct.


                              WESBANCO, INC.



                              By: /s/ Paul M. Limbert
                                 ---------------------------------------------  
                                    Paul M. Limbert
                                    Executive Vice President - Credit
                                    Administration and Chief Financial Officer

Date:  September 22, 1997


<PAGE>

                                    ANNEX I

                      DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF
                                WESBANCO, INC.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:

NAME AND PRESENT
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:

James C. Gardill                    Bank Plaza
Chairman of the Board               Wheeling, WV  26003
Wesbanco, Inc.

Robert H. Martin                    Bank Plaza
Vice Chairman                       Wheeling, WV  26003
Wesbanco, Inc.

Edward M. George                    Bank Plaza
President and Chief Executive       Wheeling, WV  26003
Officer
Wesbanco, Inc.

Paul M. Limbert                     Bank Plaza
Executive Vice President-Credit     Wheeling, WV  26003
   Administration and Chief
   Financial Officer
Wesbanco, Inc.

Dennis P. Yaeger                    Bank Plaza
Executive Vice President and        Wheeling, WV  26003
   Chief Operating Officer
Wesbanco, Inc.

John W. Moore, Jr.                  Bank Plaza
Senior Vice President-Human         Wheeling, WV  26003
   Resources
Wesbanco, Inc.

Jerome B. Schmitt                   Bank Plaza
Senior Vice President -             Wheeling, WV  26003
Investments
Wesbanco, Inc.

Larry L. Dawson                     Bank Plaza
Vice President                      Wheeling, WV  26003
Wesbanco, Inc.

                                       11
<PAGE>

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS:

NAME AND PRESENT
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION                BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:


Jerry A. Halverson                  Bank Plaza
Vice President                      Wheeling, WV  26003
Wesbanco, Inc.

Edward G. Sloane                    Bank Plaza
Vice President-Data Processing      Wheeling, WV  26003
Wesbanco, Inc.


  

DIRECTORS:

NAME AND PRESENT
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION:               BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:

Frank K. Abruzzino                  P. O. Box 2190
Lawyer                              Bank One Center
Steptoe & Johnson                   Clarksburg, WV  26302

James E. Altmeyer                   1400 Eoff Street
President                           Wheeling, WV  26003
Altmeyer Funeral Homes, Inc.

Earl C. Atkins                      P. O. Box 40
President                           Morgantown, WV  26505
City Neon, Inc.

Charles J. Bradfield                62170 Birch Drive
Retired                             Barnesville, OH  43713

Ray A. Byrd                         1000 Mull Center
Lawyer                              Wheeling, WV  26003
Schrader Byrd, Companion & Gurley

R. Peterson Chalfant                Suite 3, Ohio Valley Towers
Lawyer, Partner                     P. O. Box 39
Chalfant, Henderson & Dondzila      Steubenville, OH  43952


                                       12
<PAGE>

DIRECTORS:

NAME AND PRESENT
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION:               BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:

Christopher V. Criss                P. O. Box 1632
President & Chief Executive         Parkersburg, WV  26101
Officer
Atlas Towing Co.

Stephen F. Decker                   P. O. Box 1152
Executive Vice President            Fairmont, WV  26554
Wesbanco Bank Fairmont

James D. Entress                    5200 N. Ocean Drive
Retired                             Apt. 201 Corniche
                                    Singer Island, FL  33404

Ernest S. Fragale                   1130 Johnson Avenue
President                           Bridgeport, WV  26330
Wesbanco Mortgage Company

Roland L. Hobbs                     39 Shawnee Hills
Chairman                            Wheeling, WV  26003
Wheeling Park Commission

John W. Kepner                      1308 Chapline Street
Mortician, President                Wheeling, WV  26003
Kepner Funeral Homes, Inc.

Frank R. Kerekes                    P. O. Box 1152
President and Chief Executive       Fairmont, WV  26554
Officer
Wesbanco Bank Fairmont, Inc.

George M. Molnar                    3877 Palisades Drive
Retired                             Weirton, WV  26062

Eric Nelson                         P. O. Box 186
President                           Charleston, WV  25321
Nelson Enterprises (investments)

Melvin C. Snyder, Jr.               P. O. Box 39
Lawyer                              Kingwood, WV  26537

Joan C. Stamp                       21 Bethany Pike
                                    Wheeling, WV  26003


                                       13
<PAGE>
DIRECTORS:

NAME AND PRESENT
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION:               BUSINESS OR RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS:

Carter W. Strauss                   35th & McColloch Streets
President                           Wheeling, WV  26003
Strauss Industries, Inc.

Reed J. Tanner                      P. O. Box 1556
Certified Public Accountant,        Morgantown, WV  26507
Partner
Tanner & Tanner

John A. Welty                       76-16th Street
Secretary-Treasurer                 Wheeling, WV  26003
Welty Buick, Pontiac, GMC Truck

William E. Witschey                 North and Main Streets
President                           New Martinsville, WV  26155
Witschey's Market, Inc.



                                       14
<PAGE>


                                 EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.                        Description                       Page

1.           Letter of Intent, dated as of September 12, 1997
             between Wesbanco, Inc. and Commercial Bancshares,
             Incorporated

2.           Stock Option Agreement, dated as of September 12,
             1997, between Wesbanco, Inc. and Commercial Bancshares
             Incorporated


                                       15
<PAGE>

                              September 12, 1997




HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL

Board of Directors
Commercial Bancshares, Inc.
415 Market Street
Parkersburg, WV  26101

Attention:  William E. Mildren, Jr.
            Chairman of the Board, President
            and Chief Executive Officer

Ladies and Gentlemen:

      On behalf of Wesbanco, Inc. ("Wesbanco"), I am pleased to make the
following binding offer to acquire Commercial Bancshares, Inc. ("Commercial")
on the terms set forth in this letter.

      1. STRUCTURE; VALUATION AND CONSIDERATION;  COMMERCIAL CAPITALIZATION. The
transaction  would be  structured  as a statutory  merger of  Commercial  into a
newly-formed  subsidiary of Wesbanco  (the  "Merger").  Wesbanco and  Commercial
would use their best efforts to make the Merger  effective on or before  January
31, 1998,  or, if  applicable  law or regulatory  authorities  do not permit the
Merger to be effective by this date, as soon as practicable thereafter,  but not
later than March 31, 1998.

      In the Merger,  each share of  Commercial  common stock shall be converted
into the shares of Wesbanco  common stock,  determined  in  accordance  with the
Exchange  Ratio.  The "Exchange  Ratio" shall be 2.85 shares of Wesbanco  Common
Stock for each share of Commercial  Common  Stock,  subject to adjustment in the
event of any stock split, stock dividend or similar event.

      Commercial has 1,616,187 shares of common stock issued and outstanding and
no outstanding options to purchase shares of Commercial common stock. Except for
shares that may become issuable pursuant to the Stock Option Agreement (referred
to below) and a minimum of 116,000 and a maximum of 142,000  shares  issuable in
Commercial's  acquisition of Gateway  Bancshares,  Inc., no additional shares of
Commercial  common stock will be issued,  and no options for  Commercial  common
stock or Commercial  preferred  stock will be granted,  between the date of this
letter and the effective date of the Merger.

                                       16
<PAGE>

      2.  STOCK  OPTION  AGREEMENT.  Simultaneously  with the execution  of this
binding  letter of agreement,  Wesbanco and Commercial are entering into a Stock
Option  Agreement  pursuant to which Commercial will grant Wesbanco an option to
purchase  321,620 of its authorized  but unissued  shares of common stock at $50
cash per share, exercisable in certain events.

      3.  CERTAIN  CONDITIONS.  The Merger would be subject to  satisfaction  of
certain conditions  precedent usual for transactions of this type, including the
following:

             (a)  Negotiation of a definitive  agreement and plan of merger (the
      "Agreement")  incorporating  the  agreements  expressed in this letter and
      other terms and conditions usual for contracts of that type.  Wesbanco and
      Commercial  would negotiate the Agreement in good faith, and we believe we
      should be able to execute the  Agreement by September  19, 1997. If we are
      unable to execute the  Agreement by September  30, 1997,  however,  either
      Wesbanco or  Commercial  may terminate  this letter of agreement,  with no
      liability one to the other.

             (b)  Completion  of  "due  diligence"   investigations   reasonably
      satisfactory  to both parties  within 14 calendar days of the execution of
      this letter.

             (c)  Receipt of all necessary contractual, creditor, and regulatory
      approvals for the Merger, including approvals of the Board of Governors of
      the Federal Reserve System; the West Virginia  Department of Banking;  and
      any other federal or state regulatory  authority having  jurisdiction over
      the Merger, and the expiration of all waiting periods required by law.

             (d)  Compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933
      and applicable  state  securities  laws,  including  filing a registration
      statement  covering  Wesbanco common stock issuable in the Merger with the
      Securities and Exchange Commission.

             (e)  Compliance  with all  applicable  federal  and state  laws and
      regulations  concerning the Merger, the absence in all orders,  decrees or
      advisory  letters of regulatory  authorities  concerning the Merger of any
      conditions or requirements  reasonably  deemed  objectionable to Wesbanco,
      and the  absence  of any actual or  threatened  litigation  under  federal
      antitrust laws.  Wesbanco and Commercial  agree to cooperate in taking all
      reasonable  necessary steps to obtain regulatory and corporate  approvals,
      including,  as respects meetings of Wesbanco and Commercial  shareholders,
      the  favorable  vote of holders of the requisite  majority of  outstanding
      Wesbanco and Commercial capital stock.

             (f)  The receipt by Wesbanco and Commercial  of opinions of counsel
      to the effect that the Merger  constitutes a tax-free  reorganization  for
      federal income tax purposes.

             (g)  The taking by Wesbanco and Commercial of all corporate  action
      necessary for the Merger by (i) the board of directors and shareholders of
      Commercial and (ii) the 


                                       17
<PAGE>

      board  of  directors  and  shareholders  of Wesbanco, as and to the extent
      required by law and their  respective  charters  and  bylaws. Commercial's
      Board of Directors has approved the financial terms of the Merger.

             (h) Receipt by Wesbanco of an acceptable letter from Ernst & Young,
      LLP to the effect  that the Merger can be  accounted  for as a "pooling of
      interests."

             (i) Receipt by  Commercial of a "fairness  opinion" from  Danielson
      Associates,  its financial  advisors.  Such an opinion has been  delivered
      orally to Commercial's Board of Directors.

      4.  INDEMNIFICATION.  Wesbanco  agrees to provide  indemnification  to the
directors and officers of Commercial  following the effective date of the Merger
to the same extent as if  Commercial  were  maintaining  its separate  existence
after such time.

      5.  NO MATERIAL  ADVERSE CHANGE.  The obligation of Wesbanco to consummate
the Merger would be subject to the condition  that, on the effective date of the
Merger,  since  June 30,  1997,  there  shall have been no  material  change not
previously  agreed to by Wesbanco in Commercial's  capital  structure,  dividend
policy, material contracts, branches, financial condition, credit policies, loan
charge-off  policies,  reserve  requirements and securities portfolio management
policies, all to be described in detail in the Agreement.

      6. OTHER PROPOSALS. Between the date of this letter and the earlier of the
termination of this letter or the execution of the Agreement,  Commercial  shall
not, and  Commercial  shall use its best  efforts to ensure that its  directors,
officers and advisors do not,  institute,  pursue,  or, subject to the fiduciary
obligations of Commercial's  Board of Directors to its shareholders,  enter into
any discussions, negotiations, or agreements (whether preliminary or definitive)
with any person or entity other than Wesbanco contemplating or providing for any
merger, share exchange, acquisition, purchase or sale of a significant amount of
assets, or other business combination or change in control of Commercial.

      7.  EXPENSES. Each  party  shall  bear its own expenses in connection with
the  implementation  of this letter of intent,  regardless of whether or not the
definitive Agreement is executed.

      8.  TERMINATION.  The Agreement will provide for the right of either party
to elect to terminate the Merger in the event the Merger is not  consummated  by
March 31,  1998,  and if the  market  value (as  defined  in the  Agreement)  of
Wesbanco stock should fall below $25 per share.

      9.  BINDING  LETTER  OF  AGREEMENT.  This is a binding letter of agreement
that legally  commits the parties to the Merger.  The parties agree to negotiate
in good faith the Agreement,  which will contain terms and  conditions  usual to
transactions  of this type, and into which this binding letter of agreement will
be merged.


                                       18
<PAGE>

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    WESBANCO, INC.



                                    By  /s/ Edward M. George
                                      -----------------------------------
                                         Edward M. George
                                         President and Chief
                                         Executive Officer




      EMS/sls

      Accepted and agreed to pursuant
      to authorization of the Board of
      Directors

      COMMERCIAL BANCHARES, INC.

      By  /s/ Larry G. Johnson
        --------------------------------
            Larry G. Johnson
            Secretary

                          Dated: September 12, 1997




                                       19
<PAGE>


                            STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


      This STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT ("Option  Agreement") dated as of the 12th day
of September,  1997, by and between WESBANCO,  INC., a West Virginia corporation
("Wesbanco")   and  COMMERCIAL   BANCSHARES,   INCORPORATED,   a  West  Virginia
corporation ("Commercial").


                                 WITNESSETH:


      WHEREAS,  the Boards of Directors of Wesbanco and Commercial have approved
a Binding  Letter of Intent  ("Agreement"),  which  contemplates  the  merger of
Commercial  with and into  CBI  Corporation,  a West  Virginia  corporation  and
wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Wesbanco  ("CBI"),  with  CBI  continuing  as  the
surviving corporation; subject to the execution of a definitive merger agreement
which the parties agree to negotiate in good faith, and


      WHEREAS,  as a condition to  Wesbanco's  entry into the  Agreement  and to
induce such  entry,  Commercial  has agreed to grant to Wesbanco  the option set
forth herein to purchase  authorized  but unissued  shares of common stock,  par
value $5.00 per share of Commercial ("Commercial Common Stock");


      NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises herein  contained,  the
parties agree as follows:


      1.  DEFINITIONS.  Capitalized  terms which are to be defined in the Merger
Agreement  and  used  herein  shall  have  the same  meanings  as in the  Merger
Agreement.  The  parties  have  prepared a draft of said  Merger  Agreement  and
incorporate the referenced provisions of said draft language into this Agreement
as if set forth  herein  verbatim.  A copy of said  draft  Merger  Agreement  is
attached hereto as Exhibit A (hereinafter "Merger Agreement").


      2. GRANT OF OPTION.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
Commercial  hereby  grants to  Wesbanco an option  ("Option")  to purchase up to
321,620 shares of Commercial  Common Stock,  at a price of $50.00 per share (the
"Option  Price")  payable in cash as  provided  in  Section 4 hereof;  provided,
however,  that in the event  Commercial  issues or agrees to issue any shares of
Commercial Common Stock (other than as permitted under the Agreement) at a price
less than  $50.00 per share (as  adjusted  pursuant  to  Section 6 hereof),  the
exercise price shall be equal to such lesser price.


                                       20
<PAGE>

      3.    EXERCISE OF OPTION.


            a.  Provided  that  Wesbanco  is  not  in  material  breach  of  the
      agreements and covenants contained in the Agreement, Wesbanco may exercise
      the  Option,  in whole or in part,  at any time or from  time to time if a
      Purchase  Event (as defined  below) shall have occurred and be continuing;
      provided that to the extent the Option shall not have been  exercised,  it
      shall terminate and be of no further force and effect (i) on the Effective
      Date of the Merger or (ii) upon  termination  of the Merger  Agreement  in
      accordance with the provisions thereof (other than a termination resulting
      from a willful  breach by  Commercial  of  Section  7.21(d)  of the Merger
      Agreement or,  following the  occurrence of a Purchase  Event,  failure of
      Commercial's  shareholders  to approve  the Merger  Agreement  by the vote
      required under applicable  law), or (iii) six months after  termination of
      the Merger  Agreement  due to a willful  breach by  Commercial  of Section
      7.21(d) of the Merger Agreement or, following the occurrence of a Purchase
      Event,  failure  of  Commercial's   shareholders  to  approve  the  Merger
      Agreement by the vote required under  applicable law; and provided further
      that any such  exercise  shall be subject to  compliance  with  applicable
      provisions of law.


            b.  As  used  herein,  a  "Purchase  Event"  shall  mean  any of the
      following events or transactions occurring after the date hereof:


                  (i)  any  person  (other  than   Commercial,   any  Commercial
            Subsidiary,  Wesbanco  or any  affiliate  of  Wesbanco)  shall  have
            commenced a bona fide tender or exchange offer to purchase shares of
            Commercial  Common Stock such that upon  consummation  of such offer
            such  person  would own or  control  15% or more of the  outstanding
            shares of Commercial Common Stock;


                  (ii) any  person  (other  than  Commercial  or any  Commercial
            Subsidiary),  other than in connection  with a transaction  to which
            Wesbanco has given its prior  written  consent,  shall have filed an
            application  or notice with any federal or state  regulatory  agency
            for  clearance or approval,  to (x) merge or  consolidate,  or enter
            into any similar  transaction,  with  Commercial  or any  Commercial
            Subsidiary,   (y)  purchase,  lease  or  otherwise  acquire  all  or
            substantially  all of the  assets of  Commercial  or any  Commercial
            Subsidiary or (z) purchase or otherwise acquire (including by way of
            merger,  consolidation,  share exchange or any similar  transaction)
            securities   representing  51%  or  more  of  the  voting  power  of
            Commercial or any Commercial Subsidiary;


                  (iii)  any  person  (other  than  Commercial,  any  Commercial


                                       21
<PAGE>

            Subsidiary,  the Commercial  Subsidiaries  in a fiduciary  capacity,
            Wesbanco,  affiliates of Wesbanco or  subsidiaries  of Wesbanco in a
            fiduciary  capacity)  shall  have  acquired  after  the date  hereof
            beneficial ownership or the right to acquire beneficial ownership of
            15% or more of the  outstanding  shares of  Commercial  Common Stock
            (the  term  "beneficial  ownership"  for  purposes  of  this  Option
            Agreement  having the meaning  assigned  thereto in Section 13(d) of
            the Exchange Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder);


                  (iv) any  person  (other  than  Commercial  or any  Commercial
            Subsidiary)  shall have made a bona fide  proposal to  Commercial by
            public announcement or written  communication that is or becomes the
            subject  of  public  disclosure  to (x)  acquire  Commercial  or any
            Commercial Subsidiary by merger,  consolidation,  purchase of all or
            substantially all of its assets or any other similar transaction, or
            (y) make an offer described in clause (i) above; or


                  (v) Commercial  shall have willfully  breached Section 7.21(d)
            of the Merger  Agreement,  which  breach would  entitle  Wesbanco to
            terminate such Merger  Agreement and such breach shall not have been
            cured prior to the Notice Date (as defined below).


If more than one of the transactions  giving rise to a Purchase Event under this
Section 3(b) is undertaken or effected,  then all such  transactions  shall give
rise only to one Purchase Event, which Purchase Event shall be deemed continuing
for all purposes hereunder until all such transactions are abandoned. As used in
this Option  Agreement,  "person" shall have the meanings  specified in Sections
3(a)(9) and 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act.


            c. In the event  Wesbanco  wishes to exercise  the Option,  it shall
      send to  Commercial  a  written  notice  (the date of which  being  herein
      referred to as "Notice Date") specifying (i) the total number of shares it
      will  purchase  pursuant to such  exercise,  and (ii) a place and date not
      earlier than three  business days nor later than 60 business days from the
      Notice Date for the closing of such purchase  ("Closing  Date");  provided
      that  if  prior  notification  to or  approval  of any  federal  or  state
      regulatory  agency is required in connection with such purchase,  Wesbanco
      shall promptly file the required  notice or  application  for approval and
      shall expeditiously process the same and the period of time that otherwise
      would run  pursuant to this  sentence  shall run instead  from the date on
      which any required  notification  period has expired or been terminated or
      such  approval has been obtained and any  requisite  waiting  period shall
      have passed.

                                       22
<PAGE>


      4.    PAYMENT AND DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES.

            a. At the closing referred to in Section 3(c) hereof, Wesbanco shall
      pay  to  Commercial  the  aggregate  purchase  price  for  the  shares  of
      Commercial  Common Stock purchased  pursuant to the exercise of the Option
      in  immediately  available  funds  by a wire  transfer  to a bank  account
      designated by Commercial.


            b. At such  closing,  simultaneously  with the  delivery  of cash as
      provided  in  subsection  (a),  Commercial  shall  deliver  to  Wesbanco a
      certificate  or  certificates   representing   the  number  of  shares  of
      Commercial Common Stock purchased by Wesbanco,  and Wesbanco shall deliver
      to  Commercial a letter  agreeing  that Wesbanco will not offer to sell or
      otherwise  dispose of such shares in  violation of  applicable  law or the
      provisions of this Option Agreement.


            c.  Certificates for Commercial  Common Stock delivered at a closing
      hereunder  may be  endorsed  with a  restrictive  legend  which shall read
      substantially as follows:


                  "The transfer of the shares represented by this certificate is
            subject to certain provisions of an agreement between the registered
            holder hereof and Commercial Bancshares,  Incorporated and to resale
            restrictions arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, a
            copy  of  which  agreement  is on file at the  principal  office  of
            Commercial Bancshares,  Incorporated.  A copy of such agreement will
            be  provided to the holder  hereof  without  charge upon  receipt by
            Commercial Bancshares, Incorporated of a written request."


It is  understood  and agreed that the above legend shall be removed by delivery
of  substitute  certificate(s)  without  such  legend  if  Wesbanco  shall  have
delivered to Commercial a copy of a letter from the staff of the  Securities and
Exchange Commission,  or an opinion of counsel, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory  to Commercial,  to the effect that such legend is not required for
purposes of the Securities Act.


      5. REPRESENTATIONS.  Commercial hereby represents,  warrants and covenants
to Wesbanco as follows:


            a. Commercial shall at all times maintain sufficient  authorized but
      unissued  shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock so that the  Option  may be
      exercised without  authorization of additional shares of Commercial Common
      Stock.


                                       23
<PAGE>

            b. The shares to be issued upon due  exercise,  in whole or in part,
      of the Option,  when paid for as provided herein, will be duly authorized,
      validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.


      6. ADJUSTMENT UPON CHANGES IN  CAPITALIZATION.  In the event of any change
in Commercial  Common Stock by reason of stock  dividends,  split-ups,  mergers,
recapitalizations,  combinations,  exchanges of shares or the like, the type and
number of shares subject to the Option, and the purchase price per share, as the
case may be, shall be adjusted  appropriately.  In the event that any additional
shares of  Commercial  Common Stock are issued or otherwise  become  outstanding
after the date of this  Option  Agreement  (other  than  pursuant to this Option
Agreement),  the  number of shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  subject to the
Option shall be adjusted so that,  after such  issuance,  it equals 19.9% of the
number of shares of Commercial Common Stock then issued and outstanding  without
giving effect to any shares  subject or issued  pursuant to the Option.  Nothing
contained in this Section 6 shall be deemed to  authorize  Commercial  to breach
any provision of the Merger Agreement.


      7. REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Commercial  shall, if requested by Wesbanco,  as
expeditiously as possible file a registration statement on a form of general use
under the  Securities  Act if  necessary  in order to  permit  the sale or other
disposition  of the shares of  Commercial  Common Stock that have been  acquired
upon  exercise of the Option in accordance  with the intended  method of sale or
other disposition requested by Wesbanco.  Wesbanco shall provide all information
reasonably  requested by Commercial for inclusion in any registration  statement
to be  filed  hereunder.  Commercial  will use its best  efforts  to cause  such
registration  statement first to become  effective and then to remain  effective
for  such  period  not in  excess  of 270 days  from  the day such  registration
statement first becomes effective as may be reasonably  necessary to effect such
sales or other dispositions.  In no event shall Commercial be required to effect
more than two registrations  hereunder.  All expenses of registrations hereunder
shall  be  borne  equally  by  Commercial  and  Wesbanco.   The  filing  of  any
registration  statement  hereunder may be delayed for such period of time as may
reasonably be required to facilitate  any public  distribution  by Commercial of
Commercial  Common Stock. If requested by Wesbanco,  in connection with any such
registration,  Commercial  will  become  a party to any  underwriting  agreement
relating to the sale of such shares, but only to the extent of obligating itself
in respect of  representations,  warranties,  indemnities  and other  agreements
customarily included in such underwriting agreements. Upon receiving any request
from  Wesbanco or assignee  thereof under this Section 7,  Commercial  agrees to
send a copy thereof to Wesbanco and to any assignee thereof known to Commercial,
in each case by promptly mailing the same,  postage  prepaid,  to the address of
record of the persons entitled to receive such copies.


      8. SEVERABILITY. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction contained
in this  Option  Agreement  is held by a court or a federal or state  regulatory
agency of  competent  jurisdiction  to be invalid,  void or  unenforceable,  the
remainder of the terms,  provisions and covenants and restrictions  contained in
this Option Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way
be affected, impaired or invalidated. If for any reason such court or regulatory
agency determines that the Option will not permit the holder to acquire the full
number



                                       24
<PAGE>

 of shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock  provided in Section 2 hereof (as
adjusted  pursuant  to  Section  6  hereof),  it is  the  express  intention  of
Commercial to allow the holder to acquire such lesser number of shares as may be
permissible, without any amendment or modification hereof.


      9.    PUT-BACK RIGHTS.

            a. Upon the  consummation of any Purchase Event described in Section
      3(b)(ii)  or (v) hereof such that (i) a merger,  consolidation,  purchase,
      lease  or  acquisition  of all or  substantially  all  of  the  assets  of
      Commercial,  purchase or other acquisition of securities  representing 51%
      or more of the voting power of Commercial or any Commercial Subsidiary has
      been  consummated,  or (ii) a willful breach under Section  7.21(d) of the
      Merger  Agreement  has  occurred  so that  Wesbanco  would be  entitled to
      terminate the Merger Agreement,  and prior to the expiration of the Option
      in  accordance  with  the  terms  hereof,  at  the  request  of  Wesbanco,
      Commercial  shall  repurchase  the Option  from  Wesbanco  at a price (the
      "Repurchase Price") equal to the difference between the market/offer price
      (as defined  below) for shares of  Commercial  Common Stock and the Option
      Price,  multiplied  by the  number of shares  for which the  Option  being
      surrendered  hereunder may then be exercised but only if the  market/offer
      price is greater than the Option Price (the market/offer  price is defined
      as the higher of the price per share at which a tender  offer or  exchange
      offer for 51% or more of the voting securities of Commercial has been made
      and  consummated,  the price per share  actually  paid by any third  party
      pursuant to an agreement that has been consummated  whereby Commercial has
      been merged, consolidated with or otherwise acquired by a third party, and
      the  highest  closing  price  for  Commercial   Common  Stock  within  the
      four-month  period  immediately  preceding the date Wesbanco gives written
      notice of the required  repurchase of the Option  pursuant to this Section
      9). In the event that an exchange offer is made or an agreement is entered
      into for a merger or  consolidation  involving  consideration  other  than
      cash,  the  value  of  the  securities  or  other  property   issuable  or
      deliverable  in exchange for  Commercial  Common shall be  determined by a
      nationally  recognized  investment banking firm mutually acceptable to the
      parties hereto.


            b.  Wesbanco  may  exercise  its  right  to  require  Commercial  to
      repurchase  the Option  pursuant  to this  Section 9 by giving  Commercial
      written notice of its exercise of its repurchase  right in accordance with
      the provisions of this Section 9. Subject to the last proviso of paragraph
      9(c)  below,  as  promptly as  practicable,  and in any event  within five
      business  days  after  the  receipt  of such  notice or  notices  relating
      thereto, Commercial shall deliver or cause to be delivered to Wesbanco the
      Repurchase Price for the Option or the portion thereof which Commercial is
      not  then  prohibited   under   applicable  law  and  regulation  from  so
      delivering.


            c. To the extent that Commercial is prohibited  under applicable law
      or 



                                       25
<PAGE>

      regulation,   or  as  a result of administrative or judicial action,  from
      repurchasing the Option in full,  Commercial  shall  immediately so notify
      Wesbanco and  thereafter  deliver or cause to be  delivered,  from time to
      time, to Wesbanco,  as  appropriate,  the portion of the Repurchase  Price
      which it is no longer  prohibited  from  delivering,  within five business
      days  after  the date on which  Commercial  is no  longer  so  prohibited,
      provided,  however,  that to the extent that Commercial is at the time and
      after the  expiration  of 12 months,  so  prohibited  from  delivering  to
      Wesbanco,  the Repurchase Price, in full (and Commercial hereby undertakes
      to use its best  efforts  to receive  all  required  regulatory  and legal
      approvals  as  promptly  as  practicable),  Commercial  shall  deliver  to
      Wesbanco a new Option  evidencing  the right of Wesbanco to purchase  that
      number of shares of Commercial  Common Stock obtained by  multiplying  the
      number of shares of  Commercial  Common  Stock for which the Option may at
      such  time be  exercised  by a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the
      Repurchase Price less the portion thereof (if any)  theretofore  delivered
      to the Holder and the  denominator of which is the Repurchase  Price,  and
      Commercial shall have no further obligation to repurchase such new Option;
      and  provided,  further,  that upon  receipt of such notice and until five
      days thereafter Wesbanco may revoke its notice of repurchase of the Option
      by written  notice to  Commercial  at its  principal  office  stating that
      Wesbanco  elects to revoke its  election to exercise its rights to require
      Commercial to repurchase the Option,  whereupon  Commercial  will promptly
      deliver  to  Wesbanco  the  Option  and  Commercial  shall have no further
      obligation to repurchase such Option.


      10. FIRST REFUSAL.  If at any time during the eighteen months  immediately
following the first  purchase of shares of Commercial  Common Stock  pursuant to
the Option, Wesbanco shall desire to sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose
of all or any of the shares of Commercial  Common Stock  acquired by it pursuant
to the Option other than in  accordance  with the  put-back  rights in Section 9
hereof,  it shall give  Commercial  written  notice of the proposed  transaction
("Offeror's Notice"),  identifying the proposed transferee and setting forth the
terms of the proposed transaction.  An Offeror's Notice shall be deemed an offer
by Wesbanco to Commercial, which may be accepted within ten business days of the
receipt of such  Offeror's  Notice,  on the same terms and conditions and at the
same price at which  Wesbanco is  proposing  to transfer  such shares to a third
party.  Settlement  for any shares  purchased by  Commercial  shall be within 15
business days of the date of the  acceptance of the offer and the purchase price
shall be paid to Wesbanco in immediately available funds; provided that if prior
notification  to or  approval of any federal or state  regulatory  authority  is
required in connection  with such purchase,  Commercial  shall promptly file the
required notice or application for approval and shall expeditiously  process the
same and the period of time that  otherwise  would run pursuant to this sentence
shall run instead  from the date on which any required  notification  period has
expired or been  terminated or such approval has been obtained and any requisite
waiting  period  shall have  passed.  In the event of the  failure or refusal of
Commercial to purchase all of the shares covered by the Offeror's  Notice or any
applicable regulatory authority shall disapprove  Commercial's proposed purchase
of such shares,  Wesbanco may sell all, but not less than all, of such shares to
such  third  party at no less  than  the  price  specified  and on terms no more
favorable than those set forth in the Offeror's Notice. The requirements of this
Section  9 shall  not  apply to any  disposition  (i) as a result  of



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<PAGE>

which the proposed  transferee  would own not more than five percent of the then
outstanding  shares of Commercial  Common Stock, (ii) of Commercial Common Stock
by a person to which  Wesbanco  has  assigned  its  rights  under the  Option in
accordance  with Section 11(c) hereof or (iii) pursuant to a registration  under
Section 7 hereof.


      11.   MISCELLANEOUS.

            a.  EXPENSES.  Except  as  otherwise  provided  herein,  each of the
      parties hereto shall bear and pay all costs and expenses incurred by it or
      on its behalf in connection with the transactions  contemplated hereunder,
      including fees and expenses of its own financial  consultants,  investment
      bankers, accountants and counsel.


            b. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
      this Option Agreement  contains the entire  agreement  between the parties
      with respect to the transactions contemplated hereunder and supersedes all
      prior  arrangements or  understandings  with respect  thereto,  written or
      oral. The terms and conditions of this Option Agreement shall inure to the
      benefit of and be binding  upon the  parties  hereto and their  respective
      successors  and assigns.  Nothing in this Option  Agreement,  expressed or
      implied,  is  intended  to confer  upon any party,  other than the parties
      hereto, and their respective successors and assigns, any rights, remedies,
      obligations  or liabilities  under or by reason of this Option  Agreement,
      except as expressly provided herein.


            c.  ASSIGNMENT.  Neither of the parties hereto may assign any of its
      rights or  obligations  under this Option  Agreement or the Option created
      hereunder to any other person,  without the express written consent of the
      other party.


            d. NOTICES.  All notices or other  communications which are required
      or permitted  hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if delivered in
      the manner and to the addresses  provided for in or pursuant to Section 17
      of the Merger Agreement.


            e. COUNTERPARTS. This Option Agreement may be executed in any number
      of  counterparts,  and each  such  counterpart  shall be  deemed  to be an
      original instrument,  but all such counterparts  together shall constitute
      but one agreement.


            f. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties agree that damages would be an
      inadequate  remedy for a breach of the provisions of this Option Agreement
      by either party hereto and that this Option  Agreement  may be enforced by
      either party 



                                       27
<PAGE>

      hereto through injunctive or other equitable relief.


            g.  GOVERNING  LAW. This Option  Agreement  shall be governed by and
      construed  in  accordance  with  the laws of the  State  of West  Virginia
      applicable  to  agreements  made and entirely to be performed  within such
      state and such federal laws as may be applicable.


      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the parties  hereto has executed this Option
Agreement as of the day and year first written above.


                                    WESBANCO, INC.


                                     By  Edward M. George
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Its President
                                            


                                    COMMERCIAL BANCSHARES,
                                    INCORPORATED

                                     By  Larry G. Johnson
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Its Vice President and Chief 
                                            Financial Officer
                                           


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