EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We hereby consent to the use of our report dated January 28, 1998 in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K  relating to the  Consolidated  Financial  Statements of F&M
National  Corporation  and  Subsidiaries,  appearing  under  Item  8,  Financial
Statements  and  Supplementary  Data,   including,   without   limitation,   the
incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Prospectuses  constituting  part  of  the
Registration  Statements on Form S-8  (#2-77374  and  #33-47685) of F&M National
Corporation.


                      Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C.


March 5, 1998
Winchester, Virginia