EXHIBIT 23(a)

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
Westamerica Bancorporation:

     We consent to the use of our report dated January 25, 2002, with respect to
the consolidated balance sheets of Westamerica Bancorporation and subsidiaries
as of December 31, 2001 and 2000, and the related consolidated statements of
income and comprehensive income, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows
for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2001, included
in Westamerica Bancorporation's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2001, which is incorporated by reference herein, and to the
reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the Proxy Statement/
Prospectus.

/s/  KPMG LLP

San Francisco, California
April 10, 2002