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                                   EXHIBIT 23
                         CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP




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                    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 May 13, 1999 on the
financial  statements  and schedules of The Savings Bank of  Manchester  Savings
Plan included in Connecticut Bancshares, Inc.'s form 11-K  dated  April 5, 2000.

We further  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in this  registration
statement of our report  dated  January 15, 1999 (except for Note 14 of Notes to
Consolidated  Financial  Statements as to which the date is October 26, 1999) on
the  consolidated  financial  statements of Connecticut  Bankshares,  M.H.C. and
subsidiary included in Connecticut Bancshares,  Inc.'s registration statement on
Form S-1 dated January 12, 2000.


                                                ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


                                                /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                -------------------------------
                                                    Arthur Andersen LLP


Hartford, Connecticut
April 5, 2000