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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 333-07951) pertaining to the Alabama National BanCorporation 1994
Stock Option Plan of our report dated February 29, 1996, with respect to the
1995 consolidated financial statements of Alabama National BanCorporation (not
presented separately in the 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K) which report is    
included in Alabama National BanCorporation's Annual Report (Form 10-K) for
the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Birmingham, Alabama
March 26, 1997





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