Exhibit 23.1




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No. 333-64385
of Merit  Securities  Corporation and its subsidiaries on Form S-3 of our report
dated  April 9,  2004,  appearing  in this  Annual  Report on Form 10-K of Merit
Securities Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2003.




/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Richmond, Virginia
April 14, 2004