1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our report dated January 21, 1997, included in First Tennessee National Corporation's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K, into the Company's previously filed registration statement file Nos. 33-8029, 33-9846, 33-40398, 33-44142, 33-52561, 33-57241, 33-58975, 33-63809, 33-64471, 333-16225, 333-16227, 333-17457, 333-17457-01, 333-17457-02, 333-17457-03, and 333-17457-04 and to all references to our firm included therein. Arthur Andersen LLP Memphis, Tennessee March 27, 1997