EXHIBIT 24

                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ RICHARD L. ANTONINI
                                   Richard L. Antonini


























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ JOHN D. BOYLES
                                   John D. Boyles




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ WILLIAM P. CRAWFORD
                                   William P. Crawford




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ RICHARD M. DEVOS, JR.
                                   Richard M. DeVos, Jr.




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ WILLIAM G. GONZALEZ
                                   William G. Gonzalez




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ JAMES P. HACKETT
                                   James P. Hackett




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ ERINA HANKA
                                   Erina Hanka




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ MICHAEL J. JANDERNOA
                                   Michael J. Jandernoa




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ KEVIN T. KABAT
                                   Kevin T. Kabat




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ FRED P. KELLER
                                   Fred P. Keller




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ JOHN P. KELLER
                                   John P. Keller




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ HENDRIK G. MEIJER
                                   Hendrik G. Meijer




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ PERCY A. PIERRE
                                   Percy A. Pierre




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ MARILYN J. SCHLACK
                                   Marilyn J. Schlack




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ PETER F. SECCHIA
                                   Peter F. Secchia




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ DAVID J. WAGNER
                                   David J. Wagner




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ MARGARET SELLERS WALKER
                                   Margaret Sellers Walker




























                         LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     (EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARD PLAN)


The undersigned, in his or her capacity as director or officer, or both, as
the case may be, of Old Kent Financial Corporation, does hereby appoint
DAVID J. WAGNER, ROBERT H. WARRINGTON, MARK F. FURLONG and MARY E. TUUK,
and any of them severally, his or her 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-8 Registration Statement of Old Kent Financial
Corporation relating to shares of Common Stock, $1 par value, to be issued
pursuant to the Old Kent Financial Corporation Employee Recognition Award
Plan, any and all amendments and supplements to such Registration Statement
and post-effective amendments and supplements thereto, and to file the same
with all exhibits thereto and all other documents in connection therewith
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



Dated:  February 15, 1999          /S/ ROBERT H. WARRINGTON
                                   Robert H. Warrington