EXHIBIT 23.1

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


     As  independent  public  accountants,  we  hereby   consent  to  the
incorporation   in   this   Registration   Statement  of  First  Commerce
Corporation (the "Company") on Form S-8 of our  report  dated January 10,
1997, on our examination of the consolidated financial statements  of the
Company  and  its  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for
the years ended December  31,  1996, 1995 and 1994, by reference from the
Annual Report of the Company on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1996.



                                   /s/  Arthur  Andersen  LLP

                                   ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


New Orleans, Louisiana,
April 22, 1997