EXHIBIT 23.1.



               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February 5,
2002, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of F.N.B.
Corporation and subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the
year ended December 31, 2001 in the following Registration Statements and
Prospectuses:

1)       Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to F.N.B. Corporation 1990
         Stock Option Plan (File #33-78114).

2)       Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to F.N.B. Corporation
         Restricted Stock Bonus Plan (File #33-78134).

3)       Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to F.N.B. Corporation 1996
         Stock Option Plan (File #333-03489).

4)       Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to F.N.B. Corporation
         Restricted Stock and Incentive Bonus Plan (File #333-03493).

5)       Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to F.N.B. Corporation
         Directors Compensation Plan (File #333-03495).

6)       Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to F.N.B. Corporation
         401(k) Plan (File #333-38372).

7)       Post-Effective Amendment No.1 on Form S-8 to Registration Statement on
         Form S-4 (File #333-01997).

8)       Post-Effective Amendment No.1 on Form S-8 to Registration Statement on
         Form S-4 (File #333-22909).

9)       Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to the F.N.B. Corporation
         Subordinated Notes and Daily Cash Accounts (File #333-74737).

10)      Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to stock options assumed in
         the acquisition of Mercantile Bank of Southwest Florida (File #333-
         42333).

11)      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 on Form S-8 to Registration Statement on
         Form S-4 (File #333-58727).

12)      Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to stock warrants assumed
         in the acquisitions of Southwest Banks, Inc. and West Coast Bancorp,
         Inc. (File #333-31124).

13)      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 relating to the F.N.B.
         Corporation Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan (File
         #333-38374).

14)      Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 relating to the registration of F.N.B.
         Corporation Subordinated Term Notes and Daily Notes (File #333-38370).






15)      Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the F.N.B. Corporation
         Salary Savings Plan (File #333-40648).

16)      Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the F.N.B. Corporation
         1998 Directors Stock Option Plan (File #333-38376).

17)      Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the F.N.B. Corporation
         2001 Incentive Plan (File #333-63042).

18)      Registration Statement on Form S-3 relating to the registration of
         F.N.B. Corporation and FNB Capital Trust I common stock, preferred
         stock, debt securities, warrants, and trust preferred securities (File
         #333-74866).

19)      Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the F.N.B. Corporation
         1996 Incentive Plan (File #333-83760).

20)      Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to stock option agreements
         granted under the Promistar Financial Corporation 1998 Equity Incentive
         Plan and assumed by F.N.B. Corporation (File #333-83756).


                                                       /s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP

                                                       Ernst & Young LLP


Birmingham, Alabama
March 21, 2002