EXHIBIT 23.1

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


The Board of Directors
West Bancorporation, Inc.

      We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement on
Form S-8 of West Bancorporation, Inc. of our report dated January 9, 2004
relating to the consolidated balance sheets of West Bancorporation, Inc. and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2003 and 2002 and the related consolidated
statements of income, stockholders' equity, comprehensive income, and cash flows
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003 which report
appears in the 2003 annual report on Form 10-K of West Bancorporation, Inc.

/s/ McGladrey & Pullen, LLP

Des Moines, Iowa
October 29, 2004

Word/Form S-8

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