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                                                                  EXHIBIT 24(a)

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS




As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our reports dated
January 19, 1996, and January 26, 1996 included in CU Bancorp's report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995 and to all references to  our Firm
included in this Registration Statement.



                                                            Arthur Andersen LLP

Los Angeles, California
February 5, 1997





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