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                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.5

[FURMAN SELZ LLC LETTERHEAD]







                          CONSENT OF INVESTMENT BANKER

We consent to the inclusion in the registration statement on Form S-4 of
AmVestors Financial Corporation/Financial Benefit Group, Inc. and the related
prospectus/joint proxy statement which is a part thereof of our opinion dated
the date of the registration statement included as Appendix II thereto and the
references to our firm in the Prospectus/Joint Proxy Statement.

In giving such consent, we do not admit and we hereby disclaim that we come
within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, nor do we thereby admit that we
are experts with respect to the term "experts" as used in the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.

                                       /s/ Furman Selz LLC
                                       -------------------      
                                       FURMAN SELZ LLC