Exhibit 23.6


            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 February 9, 1998 on the December 31, 1997 financial
statements of First Home Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries, included
in Sovereign Bancorp, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form
10-K/A dated March 29, 1999 and May 25, 1999, respectively, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission and incorporated by
reference in this registration statement and to all references to
our Firm included in this registration statement.  It should be
noted that we have not audited any financial statements of First
Home Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries subsequent to December 31,
1997 or performed any audit procedures subsequent to the date of
our report.

                              /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
September 10, 1999