EXHIBIT 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                  KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose
signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Edgar W. Blanch, Jr. and
Daniel P. O'Keefe (each with full power to act alone), his true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and
resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all
capacities, to sign a Registration Statement on Form S-8 and any or all
amendments (including post-effective amendments) thereto, with respect to the
1993 Stock Incentive Plan of E. W. Blanch Holdings, Inc., and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and
agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite or necessary to be done in and about the premises,
as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or their or
his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.




         Signature                            Title                               Date
         ---------                            -----                               ----
                                                                      
/s/ Edgar W. Blanch, Jr.            Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive  November 5, 1997
- --------------------------          Officer and Director
Edgar W. Blanch, Jr.                


 /s/ Chris L. Walker                President, Chief Operating Officer      November 5, 1997
- --------------------------          and Director
Chris L. Walker                     


 /s/ Ian D. Packer                  Executive Vice President and            November 7, 1997
- --------------------------          Chief Financial Officer
Ian D. Packer                       


/s/ Frank S. Wilkinson, Jr.         Executive Vice President and Director   November 5, 1997
- --------------------------
Frank S. Wilkinson, Jr.


/s/ James N. Land, Jr.              Director                                November 3, 1997
- --------------------------
James N. Land, Jr.


                                    Director                                November  , 1997
- --------------------------
Steven G. Rothmeier


                                    Director                                November  , 1997
- --------------------------
Paul B. Ingrey


/s/ William B. Madden               Director                                November 4, 1997
- --------------------------
William B. Madden


/s/ Joseph D. Sargent               Director                                November 3, 1997
- --------------------------
Joseph D. Sargent