[LETTERHEAD]


                                                                  Exhibit 23.1


                     CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
            
   
We hereby consent to the inclusion of our Independent Auditor's Report dated 
January 30, 1998 regarding the consolidated balance sheets of BSM Bancorp and 
Subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related consolidated 
statements of income, changes in shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each 
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in the Form 10-KA 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and included as 
Appendix F to the Form S-4 filed by BSM Bancorp with the SEC and the 
reference to our firm as experts.
    

                                           /s/ VAVRINEK, TRINE, DAY & CO., LLP


May 8, 1998
Laguna Hills, California