CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS









    We hereby consent to the use in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus constituting
part of this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated February 20,
1997 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Premier Financial
Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and for the
years then ended, incorporated therein by reference, and to the reference to our
firm under the heading "Experts" in such Proxy Statement/Prospectus.




                             /s/ ESKEW & GRESHAM, PSC
                             ----------------------------
                             ESKEW & GRESHAM, PSC


September 17, 1997
Lexington, Kentucky