Exhibit 23.1






                         Consent of Independent Auditors

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form
S-8) pertaining to the First Defiance Financial Corp.  Employee Investment Plan,
of our report dated January 21, 2000 with respect to the consolidated  financial
statements of First Defiance Financial Corp. included in its Annual Report (Form
10-K) for the year  ended  December  31,  1999,  filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Cleveland, Ohio
August 31, 2000