Peoples Bancorp : Bank Pays It Forward to Hometown Heroes in Fairfield County

Market Team Leader

Deana.Reedy@pebo.com | 740.687.2920

LANCASTER, OH (July 22, 2016) - Peoples Bank is saying "thank you" to local heroes who give so much for the community.

The bank recently hosted a "Pay It Forward" Friday event in Fairfield County as part of its Peoples Hometown Heroes Banking campaign. Bank associates used the element of surprise earlier this month and randomly selected hometown heroes in the area to thank. Associates provided two new night vision cameras and a camcorder to the Fairfield County Sherriff's Department. The bank also surprised the Baltimore Police Department with portable digital radios that will be used to communicate with the Fairfield County Sheriff's Department dispatchers.

The Hometown Heroes campaign honors active and retired members of the military, law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and teachers for their service. When an individual mentions their hero status to any Peoples Bank associate, the bank will add on the Hometown Heroes Banking perks to any new or existing personal checking account.

"We want to show our appreciation and respect for the sacrifices our local heroes make," said Deana Reedy, Peoples Bank Branch Manager (Fair Avenue Office) and Market Team Leader. "Hero stories play out in our communities every day. We want to reward those men and women who dedicate their time, energy, and lives to making our communities the best places to live and work."

A video highlighting the pay it forward event is available on the bank's social media pages and by visiting www.youtube.com/PeoplesBankTV.

In addition to a new banking program, the bank is asking the public to nominate a local hero now through Sept. 2, 2016 online at www.PeoplesBankHeroes.com.

Fourteen nominated heroes will be randomly selected from throughout the Peoples Bank market footprint to receive a special Hometown Heroes plaque and an opportunity to designate a $500 donation to the charity of their choice. Additional details and official rules may be found at www.PeoplesBankHeroes.com.

Peoples Bancorp Inc. is a diversified financial services holding company with $3.3 billion in total assets, 81 sales offices and 80 ATMs in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. Peoples makes available a complete line of banking, investment, insurance and trust solutions through its subsidiaries -Peoples Bank and Peoples Insurance Agency, LLC. Peoples' common shares are traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market® under the symbol "PEBO", and Peoples is a member of the Russell 3000 index of US publicly-traded companies. Learn more about Peoples at www.peoplesbancorp.com.