INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


The Board of Directors
First United Bancorporation


     We consent to incorporation  by reference into the registration  statements
(Nos.  33-23193 and 33-94282) on Form S-8 of First United  Bancorporation of our
report dated January 22, 1997,  relating to the  consolidated  balance sheets of
First United  Bancorporation  and  subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1996
and the related  consolidated  statements  of income,  changes in  shareholders'
equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the three  year  period  ended
December 31, 1996, which report appears in the December 31, 1996,  annual report
on Form 10-K of First United Bancorporation.

                                    /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                    KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Greenville, South Carolina
March 24, 1997