Exhibit 23(a)



                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                   -----------------------------------------



Household International, Inc.:

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation by
reference in this registration statement on Form S-3 relating to the offering of
up to $3,000,000,000 of Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Debt
Securities, Preferred Stock (without par value), Common Stock ($1 par value),
Stock Purchase Contracts and Stock Purchase Units to be filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on or about June 8, 2001, of our report dated
January 15, 2001, included in Household International, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2000, and to all references to our Firm included in this
registration statement.



/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP


Chicago, Illinois
June 8, 2001