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