EXHIBIT 23.6
 
                          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 American Federal Bank, F.S.B., included
as Appendix B to the Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus that is a part of this
Registration Statement, and to the references to such letters and to our firm in
such Joint Proxy Statement-Prospectus. In giving such consent we do not thereby
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.
 
                                         WHEAT, FIRST SECURITIES, INC.
 
Richmond, Virginia
Date: