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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
33-74800, 333-23587, 333-59879 and 33-59875 of Hawthorne Financial Corporation
on Form S-8 of our report dated March 20, 2000 appearing in this annual report
on Form 10-K of Hawthorne Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31,
1999.

DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

March 30, 2000
Los Angeles, California