EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF MCGLADREY & 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 26, 2001, which appears in the annual report
on Form 10-K of First Midwest Financial, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year
ended September 30, 2001.


                                                  /s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                  McGladrey & Pullen, LLP



Des Moines, Iowa
December 28, 2001