EXHIBIT 24


                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ B.P. SHERWOOD, III       Vice Chairman of the Board     September 25, 1996
B.P. Sherwood, III             and Treasurer and Director




















                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ JOHN D. BOYLES           Director                       September 25, 1996
John D. Boyles























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ RICHARD M. DEVOS, JR.    Director                       September 25, 1996
Richard M. DeVos, Jr.























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ EARL D. HOLTON           Director                       September 25, 1996
Earl D. Holton























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ JOHN P. KELLER           Director                       September 25, 1996
John P. Keller























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ WILLIAM U. PARFET        Director                       September 25, 1996
William U. Parfet























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ PERCY A. PIERRE          Director                       September 26, 1996
Percy A. Pierre























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ ROBERT L. SADLER         Vice Chairman of the Board     September 27, 1996
Robert L. Sadler               and Director























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ DAVID J. WAGNER          Chairman, President, Chief     September 24, 1996
David J. Wagner                Executive Officer and
                               Director






















                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, in his or her capacity as a director or officer, or both,
as the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, B. P. SHERWOOD, III, MARY E. TUUK and ALBERT T. POTAS, and
any of them, his or her true and lawful attorney or attorneys, with full
power of substitution, to execute in his or her name in his or her capacity
as a director or officer, or both, as the case may be, of Old Kent
Financial Corporation, a Form S-4 Registration Statement of Old Kent
Financial Corporation with respect to the issuance of shares of its Common
Stock, $1.00 par value, to be offered to the shareholders of Seaway
Financial Corporation in connection with the merger of Seaway Financial
Corporation with and into Old Kent Financial Corporation, and any and all
amendments to such Registration Statement or additional registration
statements as may permitted pursuant to Rule 462 issued under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and to file the same, with all exhibits
thereto and all other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  Each of such attorneys shall have full
power and authority to do and to perform in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned, in any and all capacities, every act whatsoever requisite or
necessary to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying
and approving the acts of such attorneys and each of them.


       SIGNATURE                      TITLE                        DATE

/S/ ALBERT T. POTAS          Senior Vice President/         September 26, 1996
Albert T. Potas                Controller