I

                                                                   Exhibit 23.1


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to  incorporation  by reference  in the  Registration  Statement  No.
333-64385 of Merit Securities  Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated March
30,  2001,  appearing  in this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Merit  Securities
Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000.



DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP




Richmond, Virginia
April 6, 2001