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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements
(Forms S-8 No. 33-8405 and No. 33-43898) pertaining to the Incentive Stock
Option Plan of Westcorp and the Westcorp 1991 Stock Option Plan, respectively,
and in the related prospectus of our report dated January 19, 1994, with respect
to the consolidated financial statements of Westcorp included in the Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1993.
 
                                                                   ERNST & YOUNG
 
Los Angeles, California
March 10, 1994
 
                                      F-32