EXHIBIT 23.2









               Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants

We have reissued our report dated January 8, 1999  accompanying the consolidated
financial  statements (not presented  separately) of Metropolitan State Bank and
Subsidiary (a wholly owned  subsidiary of Lakeland  Bancorp,  Inc.)  included in
Lakeland  Bancorp,  Inc.'s Form 8-K dated October 12, 1999 which is incorporated
by reference in this Registration  Statement. We consent to the incorporation by
reference in the Registration  Statement of the aforementioned report and to the
use of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts".

Grant Thornton LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
October 22, 1999