Exhibit 23.1      Consent of McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

To the Board of Directors
North Central Bancshares, Inc.
Fort Dodge, Iowa

We consent to the  incorporation  by reference in the North Central  Bancshares,
Inc.  Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 of North  Central  Bancshares,  Inc.,
pertaining to the North Central Bancshares,  Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan, of our
report dated  February 2, 2001,  which appears in the annual report on Form 10-K
of North Central  Bancshares,  Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December
31, 2000.





                                            /s/  McGladrey & Pullen, LLP
                                            ----------------------------
                                            McGladrey & Pullen, LLP





Des Moines, Iowa
March 27, 2001