content: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
  FORM 8-K
  
  CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
  
  DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):  April 28, 
  1999
  
  BELMONT BANCORP.
  (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
  
  
  OHIO                            0-12724         34-1376776
  (STATE OF       	(COMMISSION FILE NO.)	(I.R.S. EIN)
  INCORPORATION)
  
  325 MAIN STREET
  BRIDGEPORT, OH  43912
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
  
  (740)-695-3323
  (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
  
  <PAGE>
  
  ITME 5. OTHER EVENTS
  
  THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE DATED APRIL 28, 1999 CONCERNING
  ONE OF THE CORPORATION'S BORROWERS.
  
  <PAGE>
  
  PRESS RELEASE
  
  
  For additional information contact:
  J. Vincent Ciroli, Jr., President
  and Chief Executive Officer
  (740) 695-3323
  
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 28, 1999
  
  SUBJECT:  BORROWER UNEXPECTEDLY CEASES OPERATIONS
  
  ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO.On Monday, April 26, 1999 Schwartz 
  Homes, Inc. voluntarily and unexpectedly closed their Mega 
  Store operation.  Schwartz is a large commercial customer of 
  Belmont National Bank, a subsidiary of Belmont Bancorp.  The 
  Bank and other creditors have been working with Schwartz 
  management to determine the next course of action.  
  Currently it is premature to estimate the full financial 
  impact this situation will have on Belmont until there has 
  been an opportunity to completely evaluate all aspects of 
  operation.  Belmont is working toward a quick resolution to 
  this situation and intends to keep the investing public 
  fully informed.
  
  Certain statements in this release contain forward looking 
  information.  These statements are subject to certain risks 
  and uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties could 
  cause actual results to differ materially from the current 
  statements.
  
  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.
  
  <PAGE>
  
  SIGNATURES
  
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
  THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF
  BY THE UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
  
  BELMONT BANCORP.
  (REGISTRANT)
  
  
  APRIL 28, 1999           BY:  S/J. VINCENT CIROLI, JR.
                                J. VINCENT CIROLI, JR.
                                PRESIDENT AND CEO
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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": "99603442"}, "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: SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
  
  FORM 8-K
  
  CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE 
  SECURITIES ACT OF 1934
  
  DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):  April 28, 
  1999
  
  BELMONT BANCORP.
  (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
  
  OHIO                            0-12724         34-1376776
  (STATE OF       	(COMMISSION FILE NO.)	(I.R.S. EIN)
  INCORPORATION)
  
  325 MAIN STREET
  BRIDGEPORT, OH  43912
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
  
  (740)-695-3323
  (REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)
  ITME 5. OTHER EVENTS
  
  THE FOLLOWING IS A PRESS RELEASE DATED APRIL 28, 1999 CONCERNING
  ONE OF THE CORPORATION'S BORROWERS.
  PRESS RELEASE
  
  For additional information contact:
  J. Vincent Ciroli, Jr., President
  and Chief Executive Officer
  (740) 695-3323
  
  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 28, 1999
  
  SUBJECT:  BORROWER UNEXPECTEDLY CEASES OPERATIONS
  
  ST. CLAIRSVILLE, OHIO.On Monday, April 26, 1999 Schwartz 
  Homes, Inc. voluntarily and unexpectedly closed their Mega 
  Store operation.  Schwartz is a large commercial customer of 
  Belmont National Bank, a subsidiary of Belmont Bancorp.  The 
  Bank and other creditors have been working with Schwartz 
  management to determine the next course of action.  
  Currently it is premature to estimate the full financial 
  impact this situation will have on Belmont until there has 
  been an opportunity to completely evaluate all aspects of 
  operation.  Belmont is working toward a quick resolution to 
  this situation and intends to keep the investing public 
  fully informed.
  
  Certain statements in this release contain forward looking 
  information.  These statements are subject to certain risks 
  and uncertainties.  These risks and uncertainties could 
  cause actual results to differ materially from the current 
  statements.
  
  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.
  SIGNATURES
  
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934,
  THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS REPORT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF
  BY THE UNDERSIGNED THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.
  
  BELMONT BANCORP.
  (REGISTRANT)
  
  APRIL 28, 1999           BY:  S/J. VINCENT CIROLI, JR.
                                J. VINCENT CIROLI, JR.
                                PRESIDENT AND CEO