EXHIBIT 23.1



                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


To Old Kent Financial Corporation:

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to the Form S-4 Registration Statement
of our report dated January 14, 1998 included in the Old Kent Financial
Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1997 and to all references to our Firm included in this Registration
Statement.


                              /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP



Chicago, Illinois
July 9, 1998