EXHIBIT 23 (a)


                        Consent of Independent Auditors


We consent to the incorporation by reference in (1) the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 No. 33-55336) pertaining to the Republic Bancorp Inc. Tax-Deferred
Savings Plan; (2) the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-55304) pertaining
to the Republic Bancorp Inc. Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan; (3) the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 33-62508) pertaining to the Republic
Bancorp Inc. Directors' Compensation Plan; (4) the Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 333-26515) pertaining to the Republic Bancorp Inc. 1997 Stock Option
Plan; (5) the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-83267) pertaining to the
D&N Financial Corporation 1984 Stock Option and Incentive Plan; and (6) the
Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-83265) pertaining to the D&N Financial
Corporation 1994 Management Stock Incentive Plan in the related Prospectuses of
our report dated January 12, 2001, with respect to the consolidated financial
statements of Republic Bancorp Inc. included in the annual report (Form 10-K)
for the year ended December 31, 2000.


/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Detroit, Michigan
March 22, 2001