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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(b)
    
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
   
     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to this
Registration Statement No. 333-66089 of Norwest Financial, Inc. on Form S-3 of
our report dated January 18, 1999, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K
of Norwest Financial, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1998 and to reference
to us under the heading of "Experts" in the prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.
    
 
   
                                          /s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
    
                                          Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
   
March 23, 1999