Exhibit 23
 
              Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants
 
The Board of Directors
Heritage Financial Corporation:
 
  We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements (No.
333-57513 and No. 333-71415) on Form S-8 of Heritage Financial Corporation of
our report dated January 29, 1999, relating to the consolidated statements of
financial condition of Heritage Financial Corporation and subsidiaries as of
June 30 and December 31, 1998, and the related consolidated statements of
income, stockholders' equity and comprehensive income, and cash flows for each
of the years in the three-year period ended June 30, 1998 and for the six
month period ended December 31, 1998, which report appears in the December 31,
1998, annual report on Form 10-K/A of Heritage Financial Corporation.
 
                                          KPMG LLP
 
Seattle, Washington
March 30, 1999