EXHIBIT 23.1



              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



     We hereby consent to the use of our report dated January 24, 1996 and
August 31, 1996 relating to the consolidated financial statements of ABC Bancorp
included in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 and to the reference of our
Firm under the caption "Experts" in the Prospectus/Proxy Statement.


                                       /s/ Mauldin & Jenkins, LLC
                                       MAULDIN & JENKINS



Albany, Georgia