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Exhibit J(2)
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Independent Auditors' Consent
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The Board of Directors of
Mercantile Mutual Funds, Inc.:
We consent to the use of our report dated January 21, 2000 for the Mercantile
Mutual Funds, Inc. - U.S. Government Securities Portfolio, Government &
Corporate Bond Portfolio, Missouri Tax-Exempt Bond Portfolio, National Municipal
Bond Portfolio, Equity Income Portfolio, International Equity Portfolio, Small
Cap Equity Index Portfolio and Small Cap Equity Portfolio, incorporated by
reference herein, and to the references to our firm under the headings
"Financial Highlights" in the Prospectuses and "Independent Accountants and
Financial Statements" in the Statement of Additional Information.
/s/ KPMG LLP
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Columbus, Ohio
December 7, 2000