Exhibit 23.1
                        Consent of Independent Auditors



The Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Point West Capital Corporation:


We consent to  incorporation  by reference in the  registration  statement  Nos.
333-21825  and  333-21827 on Form S-8 of Point West Capital  Corporation  of our
report dated February 26, 1998,  relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of
Point West Capital Corporation as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of operations,  shareholders' equity, and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, which report
appears  in the  December  31,  1997,  annual  report on Form 10-K of Point West
Capital Corporation.

                                                /s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


March 24, 1998