EXHIBIT 23.1

     [CROWE, CHIZEK AND COMPANY LLP LETTERHEAD]


           CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


Board of Directors
Peoples Bancorp of Washington



     We consent to the inclusion in the Registration
Statement Form S-4, to be filed by German American
Bancorp, and in the Proxy Statement of Peoples Bancorp of
Washington, both relating to the issuance of securities
in the proposed merger of Peoples Bancorp of Washington
into a wholly owned subsidiary of German American
Bancorp, of our Independent Auditor's Report dated
January 11, 1996, on the consolidated financial
statements of Peoples Bancorp of Washington as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for each of the three
years in the period ended December 31, 1995, and we
consent to the use of our name and the statements with
respect to us appearing under the heading "Experts" in
the Prospectus.


                   /s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
                   Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP

November 18, 1996
Indianapolis, Indiana

0014\02\PEOPLES\CONSENT.CRO