EXHIBIT 99
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Robert E. Evans
--------------------------- President and Chief Executive Officer
December 1, 2000 (740) 373-3155
PEOPLES BANCORP RECOGNIZED AMONG ELITE OF AMERICA'S FINEST COMPANIES(R)
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MARIETTA, Ohio - Peoples Bancorp Inc. (Nasdaq: PEBO) was recently
recognized in the Tenth Annual Edition of America's Finest Companies(R), an
investment directory of all publicly-traded US companies with at least 10
consecutive years of higher earnings and/or dividends per share. The directory
is published annually by Bill Staton, Chairman of the Staton Institute in
Charlotte, North Carolina, (800) 847-8507.
Peoples Bancorp was also named to the Staton Institute's "Super 50
Team", reserved for companies with a combined total of at least 50 years of
higher earnings and dividends per share. Only 20 companies received this elite
distinction, representing just 0.11% of all publicly-traded US companies.
Peoples Bancorp was ranked 6th over a 10-year period, with consecutive earnings
per share growth of 26 years and annual dividend growth of 34 straight years.
"We are honored to be a part of this select group of companies,"
commented Robert E. Evans, President and CEO of Peoples Bancorp. "It
acknowledges our longtime commitment to integrated financial solutions, and
reflects our mission of profitable growth for the long-term benefit of clients,
shareholders, and associates." Only the top 2% of the 19,000+ publicly-traded US
companies make the list of America's Finest Companies(R).
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.
END OF RELEASE
