EXHIBIT 23(b)

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the  incorporation by
reference  in this  Registration  Statement  of our report dated March 26, 1999,
incorporated by reference in Atlantic  American  Corporation's  Form  10-K for
the  year  ended December  31,  1998,  and to  all  references  to  our  firm
included  in  this Registration Statement.



/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
October 27, 1999