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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1


                         INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S CONSENT

        We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of Golden West Financial Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated
January 20, 2000, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Golden West
Financial Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2000 and to the reference
to us under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is part of this
Registration Statement.



/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP


Oakland, California
July 12, 2000