Exhibit 23.1


                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



         We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in
the Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-59486), as amended, of New York
Community Bancorp, Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein and in its
Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-32881, 333-51998 and 333-66366) of
our report dated August 11, 2000, with respect to the financial statements of
Richmond County Financial Corp. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended June 30, 2000, filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, which is incorporated by reference in this Current Report
on Form 8-K.


                                                      /s/ Ernst & Young LLP

New York, New York
August 15, 2001