EXHIBIT 23.1

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement No.
333-61707 on Form S-3 and No. 333-92416 on Form S-8 of Hawthorne Financial
Corporation of our report dated March 5, 2004, appearing in this Annual Report
on Form 10-K of Hawthorne Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31,
2003.

/S/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


Los Angeles, California
March 5, 2004