1 EXHIBIT 23.1 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement No. 333-68453 of Hamilton Bancorp Inc. on Form S-3 of our report dated January 30, 1998, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Hamilton Bancorp Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1997 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of such Registration Statement. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Miami, Florida December 18, 1998