EXHIBIT 23.1










                CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 
                CONSENT OF GRANT THORNTON, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



     We have issued our report dated January 17, 1997, accompanying the
consolidated financial statements of First Commonwealth Financial Corporation
and subsidiaries, as of December 31, 1996, and for the years ended December 31,
1996 and 1995, included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1997, which is incorporated by reference in this Registration
Statement. We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement of the aforementioned report and to the use of our name as it appears
under the caption "Experts."

                                        /s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 3, 1998