EXHIBIT 23.1

                  INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT



The Board of Directors
City National Corporation:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 
33-32543, 33-38029, 33-60668 and 333-01993) on Form S-8 of City National 
Corporation of our report dated January 24, 1997, relating to the 
consolidated balance sheets of City National Corporation and subsidiaries as 
of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and the related consolidated statements of 
income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report appears in the 
December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K of City National Corporation.

/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Los Angeles, California
March 17, 1997