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 (Registration #333-33089) as filed with
the Commission on August 7, 1998 and the Registration Statement on Form S-8
(Registration #333-82490) as filed with the Commission on February 11, 2002, of
our report dated January 30, 2004, which appears in the annual report on Form
10-K of North Central Bancshares, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended
December 31, 2003.



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





Des Moines, Iowa
March 22, 2004