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                                                                  EXHIBIT 24.1



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT 

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
33-23303 of National Mercantile Bancorp and subsidiary on Form S-8 of our
report dated March 28, 1996 (which report expresses an unqualified opinion and
includes an explanatory paragraph for a going concern uncertainty) appearing in
this Annual Report on Form 10-K of National Mercantile Bancorp and subsidiary
for the year ended December 31, 1995.

   
                                           Deloitte & Touche LLP
    


April 15, 1996
Los Angeles, California