<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ JOE L. ALLBRITTON                  Chairman of          March 25, 1997
--------------------------------        the Board         --------------------
Joe L. Allbritton    (Signature)       (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    1 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ TIMOTHY C. COUGHLIN                                          3/19/97
---------------------------------        Director         ---------------------
Timothy C. Coughlin   (Signature)       (Capacity)                (Date)




















                                    2 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ JOHN L. DAVIS                     Chief Financial              3/26/97
--------------------------               Officer          ---------------------
John L. Davis   (Signature)             (Capacity)                 (Date)



















                                    3 of 25

<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ BARBARA B. ALLBRITTON                                        3/20/97
-----------------------------------      Director         ---------------------
Barbara B. Allbritton   (Signature)     (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    4 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ ROBERT L. ALLBRITTON                                          3/18/97
----------------------------------       Director         ---------------------
Robert L. Allbritton   (Signature)      (Capacity)                 (Date)




















                                    5 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ FREDERICK L. BOLLERER                                         3/18/97
------------------------------------     Director         ---------------------
Frederick L. Bollerer    (Signature)    (Capacity)                 (Date)




















                                    6 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ CALVIN CAFRITZ                                                3/19/97
-----------------------------            Director         ---------------------
Calvin Cafritz    (Signature)           (Capacity)                 (Date)




















                                    7 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ CHARLES A. CAMALIER, III                                      3/19/97
---------------------------------------  Director         ---------------------
Charles A. Camalier, III    (Signature) (Capacity)                 (Date)




















                                    8 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ RONALD E. CUNEO                                              3/18/97
------------------------------           Director         ---------------------
Ronald E. Cuneo    (Signature)          (Capacity)                (Date)




















                                    9 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ FLOYD E. DAVIS, III                                          3/18/97
---------------------------------        Director         ---------------------
Floyd E. Davis, III   (Signature)       (Capacity)                (Date)




















                                    10 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ JACQUELINE C. DUCHANGE                                        3/19/97
-------------------------------------    Director         ---------------------
Jacqueline C. Duchange    (Signature)   (Capacity)                 (Date)




















                                    11 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ MICHELA A. ENGLISH                                        March 21, 1997
---------------------------------        Director         ---------------------
Michela A. English    (Signature)       (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    12 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ JAMES E. FITZGERALD                                          3/20/97
----------------------------------       Director         ---------------------
James E. Fitzgerald    (Signature)      (Capacity)                (Date)




















                                    13 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ HEATHER S. FOLEY                                            3/19/97
--------------------------------         Director         ---------------------
Heather S. Foley     (Signature)        (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    14 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ DAVID J. GLADSTONE                                           3/18/97
---------------------------------        Director         ---------------------
David J. Gladstone    (Signature)       (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    15 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ LAWRENCE I. HEBERT                                       March 21, 1997
---------------------------------         Director        ---------------------
Lawrence I. Hebert    (Signature)        (Capacity)             (Date)




















                                    16 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ MICHAEL J. JACKSON                                          3/20/97
---------------------------------        Director         ---------------------
Michael J. Jackson    (Signature)       (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    17 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ TIMOTHY A. LEX                                              3/19/97
-----------------------------            Director        ---------------------
Timothy A. Lex    (Signature)           (Capacity)              (Date)




















                                    18 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

/s/ LEO J. O'DONOVAN                                            3/19/97
-------------------------------          Director         ---------------------
Leo J. O'Donovan    (Signature)         (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    19 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ STEVEN B. PFEIFFER                                       March 19, 1997
--------------------------------         Director         ---------------------
Steven B. Pfeiffer   (Signature)        (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    20 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ JOHN A. SARGENT                                             3/19/97
------------------------------           Director         ---------------------
John A. Sargent    (Signature)          (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    21 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ ROBERT L. SLOAN                      Vice Chairman           3/20/97
------------------------------           of the Board     ---------------------
Robert L. Sloan    (Signature)            (Capacity)             (Date)




















                                    22 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ JAMES W. SYMINGTON                                           3/18/97
---------------------------------        Director         ---------------------
James W. Symington    (Signature)       (Capacity)               (Date)




















                                    23 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.


/s/ JACK VALENTI                                                 3/24/97
---------------------------              Director         ---------------------
Jack Valenti    (Signature)             (Capacity)                (Date)




















                                    24 of 25
<PAGE>

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY


     Know all men by these  presents  that each person whose  signature  appears
below   constitutes   and   appoints   Linda  A.  Madrid  his  true  and  lawful
attorney-in-fact  and with full power of substitution,  for him and in his name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities,  to sign the Form 10-K for the Riggs
National  Corporation  for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1996, and to file
the same with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact
and agent  full power and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and
thing  required and necessary to be done in and about the premises,  or fully to
all intent and purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and
confirming  all that said  attorney-in-fact  and  agent,  or her  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.



/s/ EDDIE N. WILLIAMS                                          3/19/97
--------------------------------         Director        ---------------------
Eddie N. Williams    (Signature)        (Capacity)              (Date)



















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