CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Board of Directors
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.

We consent to the use of our report, incorporated herein by reference in the
registration statement on Form S-8 of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.,
pertaining to its Savings and Investment Plan, dated February 16, 1996, relating
to the consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows of
Liberty Financial Companies, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended December
31, 1995 which report appears in the December 31, 1995 annual report on Form
10-K of Liberty Financial Companies, Inc.


                                                KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
August 12, 1998