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-3 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,
May 27, 1997