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                   CONSENT OF COBITZ, VANDENBERG & FENNESSY
                                 EXHIBIT 23.0

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                          COBITZ, VANDENBERG & FENNESSY
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                        7800 WEST 95TH STREET, SUITE 301
                          HICKORY HILLS, ILLINOIS 60457
                                     ------
                                 (708) 430-4106




                          INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT



The Board of Directors
Southwest Bancshares, Inc.



We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration  Statement  (No.
33-54112 - 1992 Stock  Option  Plan for Outside  Directors)  on Form S-8 and the
Registration Statement (No. 33-54114 - 1992 Incentive Stock Option Plan) on Form
S-8 of Southwest Bancshares,  Inc. of our report dated January 31, 1997 relating
to  the  consolidated   balance  sheets  of  Southwest   Bancshares,   Inc.  and
subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1996 and 1995 and the  related  consolidated
statements of earnings, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each
of the years in the three year period ended  December 31, 1996,  which report is
incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K of
Southwest Bancshares, Inc.


                                             /s/ Cobitz, Vandenberg & Fennessy 


Hickory Hills, Illinois
March 18, 1997