EXHIBIT 23.1

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated
January 18, 1996, appearing on page 88 of Great Western Financial Corporation's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995. We also consent
to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Prospectus.


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP


Los Angeles, California
January 10, 1997