1 EXHIBIT 23 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS To Home Interstate Bancorp: As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our report dated January 26,1996, included in Home Interstate Bancorp's 1995 Annual Report to Shareholders into the Company's previously filed Form S-8 Registration Statement File No. 33-30573. ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP Orange County, California March 22, 1996