<PAGE>   1
                                  Exhibit 23.1

                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement of
Metropolitan Financial Corp. on Form S-8 of our report dated February 25, 2000,
on Metropolitan Financial Corp.'s consolidated financial statements appearing in
the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Metropolitan Financial Corp. for the year
ended December 31, 1999.

                                         /s/ Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP
                                         Crowe, Chizek and Company LLP


Cleveland, Ohio
July 28, 2000



© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission