FORM 10-QSB

                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          Washington, D.C.  20549

                 QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
                   OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1996

                                     OR

(  )      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

for the transition period from ____________________ to ______________________
Commission File Number        0-22838 
                       ______________________

                       SENTINEL FINANCIAL CORPORATION
                     _________________________________
  DELAWARE                                              43-1656550 
_______________                                       _____________
(State or other jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                       Identification No.)


1001 Walnut, Kansas City, Missouri                         64106
_______________________________________                 __________
(Address of Principal executive offices)                 (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code .. (816) 474-9800
                                                     ________________


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes   X      No 
   _____        ____.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of  May 14, 1996  $.01 par value  492,294  common
shares.                _____________                 _________

                  SENTINEL FINANCIAL CORPORATION


                            SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.


                                     Sentinel Financial Corporation
                                              (Registrant)


Date:                        By:                                   
                                  Craig Laemmli
                                  President
                                  Chief Executive Officer



Date:                        By:                                  
                                  John C. Spencer
                                  Executive Vice President