1


                                 EXHIBIT 23.2
                         CONSENT OF RADICS & CO., LLC






 2




                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
                         -----------------------------



The Board of Directors
West Essex Bancorp, Inc.


We consent to incorporation  by reference in the registration  statement on Form
S-8 of West Essex Bancorp,  Inc. of our report dated February 5, 1999,  relating
to the  consolidated  statements of financial  condition of West Essex  Bancorp,
Inc.  and  subsidiaries  as of  December  31,  1998 and  1997,  and the  related
consolidated   statements   of   income,   comprehensive   income,   changes  in
stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for each of the  years in the  three-year
period ended December 31, 1998, together with related notes and to the reference
to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Registration Statement.



/s/ Radics & Co., LLC
- ----------------------
Radics & Co., LLC
Pine Brook, New Jersey
August 9, 1999