EXHIBIT 23 - CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
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We consent to the incorporation by reference (1) in Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-93603),
(2) in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 33-34906, Form S-8 No.
33-43102 and Form S-8 No. 33-84094) pertaining to the Provident
Financial Group, Inc. 1988 Stock Option Plan, (3) in Post-Effective
Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-34904)
pertaining to the 1990 Provident Financial Group, Inc. Employee Stock
Purchase Plan, (4) in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No.
33-90792) pertaining to the Provident Financial Group, Inc. Retirement
Plan, (5) in the Registration Statements (Form S-8 No. 33-51230 and
Form S-8 No. 33-62707) pertaining to the 1992 Outside Directors' Stock
Option Plan and the 1992 Advisory Directors' Stock Option Plan, (6) in
the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-16983) pertaining to the
1996 Non-Executive Officer Stock Option Plan, (7) in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-28393 and Form S-8 No. 333-61142)
pertaining to the 1997 Stock Option Plan, (8) in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-96503 and Form S-8 No. 333-55698)
pertaining to the Glenway Financial Corporation 1990 Stock Option and
Incentive Plan, Fidelity Federal Savings Bank 1992 Stock Incentive
Plan, Fidelity Financial of Ohio, Inc. 1997 Stock Option Plan, OHSL
Financial Corp. 1992 Stock Option and Incentive Plan, and Provident
Financial Group, Inc. 2000 Employee Stock Option Plan, (9) in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-67754) pertaining to the
Dividend Reinvestment Plan, and (10) in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-61576 and Form S-8 No. 333-17185) pertaining to the
Provident Financial Group, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan of our
report dated January 16, 2002, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Provident Financial Group, Inc. included in the
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2001.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP
Cincinnati, Ohio
March 27, 2002
