Exhibit 23.1




                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



         We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of our report, dated January 27, 1999, on the consolidated financial
statements of F&M National Corporation as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998. 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.



                                         YOUNT, HYDE & BARBOUR, P.C.


Winchester, Virginia
November 5, 1999