ARTHUR
                                   ANDERSEN

                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN & CO. SC



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
    
As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the reference to our 
firm under the caption "Independent Public Accountants" in this Amendment No.1
to Registration Statement Form S-3 and related Prospectus of Riggs National
Corporation and Riggs Capital for the registration of Junior Subordinated
Deferrable Interest Debentures and Preferred Securities and to the incorporation
by reference therein of our report dated January 17, 1996 with respect to the
consolidated financial statements of Riggs National Corporation in its Annual
Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1995, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.       


                                                         /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
    
Washington, D.C.
March 26, 1997