Exhibit 23(c) 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 July 19, 2001, included in BB&T Corporation's Form 8-K/A dated July 27, 2001, and to all references to our firm included in this registration statement. Our report dated January 27, 2001, included in BB&T Corporation's financial statements previously filed on Form 10-K, and our report dated April 27, 2001, included in BB&T Corporation's financial statements previously filed on Form 8-K, and incorporated by reference in this registration statement are no longer appropriate since restated financial statements have been presented giving effect to a business combination accounted for as a pooling of interests. /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP Charlotte, North Carolina, September 21, 2001.