EXHIBIT 23(a)



                        Consent of Independent Auditors
                        -------------------------------


The Board of Directors
First Citizens Financial Corporation
Gaithersburg, Maryland:

We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statements (Nos.
33-27259,  33-62466 and  33-91612)  on Form S-8 of our report dated  February 3,
1995, related to the consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and
cash flows of First Citizens  Financial  Corporation and subsidiary for the year
ended  December  31,  1994,  which  report is  incorporated  by reference in the
December  31,  1996  annual  report  on Form  10-K of First  Citizens  Financial
Corporation.



                                                           KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP



Washington, D.C.
March 24, 1997