EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF MCGLADERY & PULLEN, LLP










                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
                         -------------------------------


To the Board of Directors
First Midwest Financial, Inc.
Storm Lake, Iowa




We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the First  Midwest  Financial,
Inc.  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 of  First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc.,
pertaining to the First Midwest Financial,  Inc. 1995 Stock Option and Incentive
Plan, of our report dated  October 27, 2000,  which appears in the annual report
on Form 10-K of First  Midwest  Financial,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  for the year
ended September 30, 2000.


                                                     /s/ McGladery & Pullen, LLP
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                         McGladery & Pullen, LLP




Des Moines, Iowa
December 28, 2000