1
 
                                                                    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 February 26, 1999 (March 30, 1999 as to Note N)
appearing in this annual report on Form 10-K of Hawthorne Financial Corporation
for the year ended December 31, 1998.
 
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
 
March 30, 1999
Los Angeles, California