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                                   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