Exhibit 23.3
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the use in this Amendment  No. 1 of Registration Statement No. 
333-63593 of Provident Bancorp, Inc. on Form S-1 of our report dated November 
17, 1995 relating to the consolidated statements of income, changes in equity, 
and cash flows of Provident Bank and subsidiaries for the year ended September 
30, 1995, appearing in the Prospectus, which is part of this Registration 
Statement.

We also consent to the reference to us under the headings "Provident Bank
Consolidated Statements of Income", "Change in Accountants" and "Experts" in
such Prospectus.


/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Parsippany, New Jersey
November 3, 1998