EXHIBIT 23.5
 
                          CONSENT OF FINANCIAL ADVISOR
 
     We hereby consent to the use in this registration statement on Form S-4 of
our letter to the Board of Directors of Salem Trust Bank included as Appendix C
to the Prospectus/Proxy Statement that is a part of this Registration Statement,
and to the references to such letter and to our firm in such Prospectus/Proxy
Statement. In giving such consent we do not hereby admit that we come within the
category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities
Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange
Commission thereunder.
 
                                         THE CARSON MEDLIN COMPANY
 
Raleigh, North Carolina
                  , 1996