EXHIBIT 23.1

                                     CONSENT

The Board of Directors
American Bancorporation:

We consent to the use of our report dated March 26,  1998,  included in the 1997
Annual Report to  shareholders  of the Company  incorporated by reference in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K incorporated herein by reference and to the reference
to our firm under the  heading  "Experts"  in the  Prospectus  and  Registration
Statement.  Our report refers to a change in accounting  for mortgage  servicing
rights as of January 1, 1996.

                                                       /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                                       -------------------------
                                                           KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 8, 1998