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                                                                    Exhibit 23.1
                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation in this registration statement of Metropolitan
Financial Corp. on Form S-1, of our report dated February 20, 1998 on the
consolidated financial statements of Metropolitan Financial Corp. As of December
31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the prospectus, which is part of this registration statement.



                                               Crowe, Chizewk and Company LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
April 8, 1998