EXHIBIT 23(A)
 
                           INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors
Fleet Financial Group, Inc.:
 
   
We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the accompanying Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement.
    
 
                                          /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
   
Boston, Massachusetts
September 23, 1998