EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 pertaining to C&F financial Corporation 1998 Non-employee Director Stock Compensation Plan of our report dated January 15, 1999, on the consolidated financial statements of C&F Financial Corporation as of December 31, 1998, and for the period ended December 31, 1998, which appears in the annual report on form 10-K of C&F Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1998. /s/ Yount, Hyde & Barbour, P.C. Winchester, Virginia October 20, 1999