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 Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to 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
 June 24, 1999