EXHIBIT 23.1






                 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS






To Old Kent Financial Corporation:

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation
by reference in this Form S-4 Registration Statement of our report dated
January 14, 1999 included in Old Kent Financial Corporation's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 and to all references to
our Firm included in this Registration Statement.


                                   /s/Arthur Andersen LLP


Chicago, Illinois
 May 19, 1999