EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
 
The Board of Directors
 
City National Corporation:
 
    We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statements
(Nos. 33-32543, 33-38029, 33-60668 and 333-01993) on Form S-8 of City National
Corporation of our report dated January 14, 1999, relating to the consolidated
balance sheet of City National Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31,
1998 and 1997 and the related consolidated statements of income and
comprehensive income, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of
the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998, which report appears
in the December 31, 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K of City National
Corporation.
 
                                          KPMG LLP
 
Los Angeles, California
March 15, 1999