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                                                                  EXHIBIT 23.1




                        [ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP LETTERHEAD]



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement of our reports dated January 19, 1996
and January 26, 1996, included in CU Bancorp's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995 and Home Interstate Bancorp's Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, respectively, and to all references to our Firm included in
this Registration Statement.


                                           ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


   

Los Angeles, California
June 7, 1996