Peoples Bancorp Increases Quarterly Dividend 10%

The Board of Directors of Peoples Bancorp Inc.

today declared a cash dividend of $0.11 per common share, a 10% increase from the dividend paid in recent quarters. "The Board's decision to increase the quarterly cash dividend reflects a return to stronger financial performance for the company and our commitment to enhance shareholder return," said Chuck Sulerzyski, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our target range for the dividend payout ratio continues to be 30 to 50%." This quarterly dividend is payable on February 21, 2012, to common shareholders of record on February 6, 2012. Based on 10.6 million common shares currently outstanding, the dividend declared represents a payout of approximately $1.2 million, or 33.4% of Peoples' reported fourth quarter 2011 earnings. This quarterly dividend also produces an annualized yield of 2.89% based on the closing stock price of Peoples' common shares of $15.25 on January 25, 2012.