Exhibit 23(a) [LOGO OF PEAT MARWICK] One Mellon Bank Center Telephone 412 391 9710 Telefax 412 391 8963 Pittsburgh, PA 15219 Telex 7106642199 PMM & CO PGH The Board of Directors of Mellon Preferred Capital Corporation: We consent to the use of our report included herein and to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus. /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania September 23, 1996 [LOGO OF PEAT MARWICK]