1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(b)


                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement (Form S-4) and related Prospectus of Huntington
Bancshares Incorporated for the registration of 34,000,000 shares of its common
stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January
15, 1997, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Huntington
Bancshares Incorporated incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1996, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.


                                       /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP


June 26, 1997