Exhibit 16


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, DC  20549
March 22, 2000

Gentlemen:


     We were previously the independent  accountants for KS Bancorp, Inc. and on
January 27, 2000,  we reported on the  consolidated  financial  statements of KS
Bancorp,  Inc. and subsidiary (KS Bancorp) as of and for the year ended December
31, 1999. On March 16, 2000, we were replaced as the independent  accountants of
KS Bancorp.  We have read KS Bancorp's  statements  included under Item 4 of its
Form 8-K for March 16, 2000 and we agree with such statements.

                                                     Very truly yours,


                                                     /s/ McGLADREY & PULLEN, LLP