EXHIBIT 23.1.

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS



     We consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated February
8, 2003, 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, 2002 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 acquisiton 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).


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    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).

    21)   Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the F.N.B. Corporation
          401(k) Plan (File #333-97113).

    22)   Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the Roger Bouchard
          Insurance, Inc. 401(k) Plan (File #333-97115).


                                                            /s/ERNST & YOUNG LLP
                                                            --------------------
                                                            Ernst & Young LLP

Birmingham, Alabama
March 18, 2003


























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