1



                                                                   Exhibit 23.1

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

                  We consent to the reference to our firm in the Registration
Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the F.N.B. Corporation Salary Savings Plan
and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated January 31,
2000 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of F.N.B. Corporation
and subsidiaries incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1999, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.

                                                     /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
June 29, 2000