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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. 33-04295, No. 33-43898 and No. 333-11039) pertaining to the
Incentive Stock Option Plan of Westcorp, the Westcorp 1991 Incentive Stock
Option Plan and the Westcorp Employee Stock Ownership and Salary Savings Plan,
respectively, and in the related prospectus of our report dated January 28,
1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Westcorp included
in the Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
March 12, 1997
 
                                      F-38