Exhibit 23.1


                       Consent of Independent Accountants

     We hereby  consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the  Registration
Statement on Form S-3  (No.333-26583,  declared  effective November 23, 1998) of
Intervest Bancshares  Corporation of our report dated January 24, 2003 appearing
in this Form 10-K.

/s/ Hacker, Johnson & Smith, P.A., P.C.
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Hacker, Johnson & Smith, P.A., P.C.
Tampa, Florida
March 3, 2003