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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We have issued our report dated February 1, 1996 (except for Note K as to
which the date is May 7, 1996) accompanying the financial statements of First
Enterprise Financial Group, Inc. contained in the Registration Statement and
Prospectus. We consent to the use of the aforementioned report in the
Registration Statement and Prospectus, and to the use of our name as it appears
under the caption "Experts."
 
                                          GRANT THORNTON LLP
 
Chicago, Illinois
   
July 17, 1996