content: PRESS RELEASE
  
  For additional information contact:
  J. Vincent Ciroli, Jr.
  President & CEO
  Belmont National Bank
  (740) 695-3323
  
  For release March 16, 1999
  
  ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO-The Board of Directors of Belmont
  Bancorp. and Belmont National Bank today announced the
  resignation of executive vice president, William Wallace.
  Wallace, who joined the bank in 1987, resigned to pursue
  other business opportunities in the area.  He will continue
  his affiliation with the bank, remaining a director of both
  Belmont Bancorp. and Belmont National Bank.
  
  J. Vincent Ciroli, Jr., President and CEO of Belmont
  Bancorp. and Belmont National Bank expressed his regret over
  the loss of Mr. Wallace.   "Although Bill is leaving, I am
  pleased with his decision to continue to serve on our board
  of directors.  His knowledge of our industry and his lending
  background will make him a continuing valuable asset to our
  corporation." said Ciroli.
  
  Belmont Bancorp. is a $446 million holding company with
  Belmont National Bank offices in Bellaire, Bridgeport,
  Cadiz, Lansing, New Philadelphia, The Ohio Valley Mall, St.
  Clairsville, Schoenbrunn and Shadyside, Ohio and in the
  Woodsdale and Elm Grove areas of Wheeling, West Virginia.
  Belmont Bancorp. stock trades in the Small Cap Market of
  NASDAQ under the symbol BLMT.  Information about Belmont
  National Bank can be accessed on the Internet at
  http://www.belmontbank.com.
metadata_documents: [{"type": "8-K", "sequence": "1", "secsgml_size_bytes": 1404}]
metadata_filer: {"company-data": {"conformed-name": "BELMONT BANCORP", "cik": "0000726294", "assigned-sic": "6021", "irs-number": "341374776", "state-of-incorporation": "OH", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "000-12724", "film-number": "99569510"}, "business-address": {"street1": "325 MAIN ST", "city": "BRIDGEPORT", "state": "OH", "zip": "43912", "phone": "6146953323"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "P O BOX 249", "city": "ST CLAIRSVILLE", "state": "OH", "zip": "43950"}}
text: PRESS RELEASE
  
  For additional information contact:
  J. Vincent Ciroli, Jr.
  President & CEO
  Belmont National Bank
  (740) 695-3323
  
  For release March 16, 1999
  
  ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO-The Board of Directors of Belmont
  Bancorp. and Belmont National Bank today announced the
  resignation of executive vice president, William Wallace.
  Wallace, who joined the bank in 1987, resigned to pursue
  other business opportunities in the area.  He will continue
  his affiliation with the bank, remaining a director of both
  Belmont Bancorp. and Belmont National Bank.
  
  J. Vincent Ciroli, Jr., President and CEO of Belmont
  Bancorp. and Belmont National Bank expressed his regret over
  the loss of Mr. Wallace.   "Although Bill is leaving, I am
  pleased with his decision to continue to serve on our board
  of directors.  His knowledge of our industry and his lending
  background will make him a continuing valuable asset to our
  corporation." said Ciroli.
  
  Belmont Bancorp. is a $446 million holding company with
  Belmont National Bank offices in Bellaire, Bridgeport,
  Cadiz, Lansing, New Philadelphia, The Ohio Valley Mall, St.
  Clairsville, Schoenbrunn and Shadyside, Ohio and in the
  Woodsdale and Elm Grove areas of Wheeling, West Virginia.
  Belmont Bancorp. stock trades in the Small Cap Market of
  NASDAQ under the symbol BLMT.  Information about Belmont
  National Bank can be accessed on the Internet at
  http://www.belmontbank.com.