EXHIBIT 5.1

              Opinion of Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C. as to
                the validity of the Common Stock being registered






                     MALIZIA, SPIDI, SLOANE & FISCH, P.C.
                                ATTORNEYS AT LAW
                               1301 K STREET, N.W.
                                 SUITE 700 EAST
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20005
                                 (202) 434-4660
                            FACSIMILE: (202) 434-4661




November 10, 1997

Board of Directors
Little Falls Bancorp, Inc.
86 Main Street
Little Falls, New Jersey 07424

         RE:      Registration Statement on Form S-8:
                  ----------------------------------
                  Little Falls Bancorp, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan

Gentlemen:

         We have acted as special  counsel to Little Falls Bancorp,  Inc., a New
Jersey  corporation (the  "Company"),  in connection with the preparation of the
Registration  Statement on Form S-8 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the  "Registration  Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  relating to 304,175  shares of common stock,  par value $.10 per share
(the  "Common  Stock") of the Company  which may be issued upon the  exercise of
options  granted or which may be granted  under the Little Falls  Bancorp,  Inc.
1996 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), as more fully described in the Registration
Statement.  You have  requested the opinion of this firm with respect to certain
legal aspects of the proposed offering.

         We have examined such documents, records, and matters of law as we have
deemed  necessary for purposes of this opinion and based thereon,  we are of the
opinion  that the Common  Stock when issued  pursuant to the exercise of options
granted  under  and in  accordance  with the  terms of the Plan will be duly and
validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

         We hereby  consent to the  filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration  Statement and to references to our firm included under the caption
"Legal Opinion" in the Prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement.

                                     Sincerely,

                                     /s/ Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.

                                     Malizia, Spidi, Sloane & Fisch, P.C.