Exhibit 23





                             Accountants' Consent


The Board of Directors
National Bankshares, Inc.


We consent to incorporation  by reference in Registration Statement  No. 333-
79979 on Form S-8 of  National Bankshares, Inc. of our report  dated February
11, 2000, relating to the consolidated balance sheets of National Bankshares,
Inc.  and subsidiaries  as of  December 31,  1999 and  1998, and  the related
consolidated  statements  of  income  and comprehensive  income,  changes  in
stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years  in the three-year
period ended December 31, 1999, which  report is incorporated by reference in
the December 31, 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K of National Bankshares, Inc.


                                                    KPMG LLP



Roanoke, Virginia
March 28, 2000