EXHIBIT 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Post-Effective Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement No. 333-21455 of National Mercantile Bancorp
on Form S-2/A of our report dated March 7, 1997 (which expresses an unqualified
opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating National Mercantile
Bancorp and Subsidiary's ability to continue as a going concern) appearing in
and incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of National
Mercantile Bancorp for the year ended December 31, 1996, and to the reference to
us under the heading of "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is a part of this
Registration Statement.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Los Angeles, California
    
May 15, 1997