EXHIBIT 23

 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
    We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration 
statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-00615, 33-23667, 33-33097, 33-39700, 
33-48334, 33-65480, 33-65482, 33-65484 and 33-93276) of our report, which 
includes an explanatory paragraph concerning changes in methods of accounting 
for impaired loans and mortgage servicing rights in 1995, dated February 
22, 1997, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of PALFED, 
Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for the years 
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, which report is included in this 
Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 


                                       COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 


Atlanta, Georgia
March 26, 1997