Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of our report, dated January 20, 1997, on the consolidated financial
statements of F&M National Corporation as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1996. We also consent
to the reference made to us under the caption "Experts" in the Proxy
Statement/Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement.

                                                 /s/ YOUNT, HYDE & BARBOUR, P.C.
   
Winchester, Virginia
February 11, 1998