1
                                                                    Exhibit 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



     The Plan Administrator
     Emerald Financial Corp.:


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
     No. 333-27373 of Emerald Financial Corp. of our report dated May 14, 1999,
     relating to the statements of net assets available for benefits, with fund
     information of The Strongsville Savings Bank 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
     as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the related statement of changes in
     net assets available for benefits, with fund information for the year ended
     December 31, 1998, which report appears in Form 11-K of The Strongsville
     Savings Bank 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan.





     KPMG LLP

     Cleveland, Ohio
     June 30, 1999