Exhibit 23.1

                        Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP




INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT
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We consent  to the use in  Amendment  No. 1 to this  Registration  Statement  of
Mutual Bancshares on Form S-1 of our report dated May 14, 1999, appearing in the
Prospectus,  which is part of this  Registration  Statement,  and of our  report
dated May 14, 1999,  relating to the  financial  statement  schedules  appearing
elsewhere in this Registration Statement.

We also consent to the  reference to us under the headings  "Selected  Financial
Data" and "Experts" in such Prospectus.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP


DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Seattle, Washington

August 2, 1999