[LETTER OF TRIDENT FINANCIAL CORPORATION APPEARS HERE]

                                                                   Exhibit 23.40


                              January 31, 1994   




Board of Directors
BB&T Financial Corporation
223 West Nash
Wilson, North Carolina 27893

Board of Directors
Home Savings Bank of Albemarle, S.S.B.
155 West South Street
Albemarle, North Carolina 28002


Gentlemen:

      We hereby consent to the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts"
in Post-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Form S-3 Registration Statement and in 
BB&T Financial Corporation's Prospectus/Proxy Statement for the acquisition of 
Asheville Savings Bank, S.S.B. and do further consent to the use of the summary
of our appraisal opinion of Asheville Savings Bank, S.S.B. in the
Prospectus/Proxy Statement.


                                                    Sincerely,

                                                    /s/ JOHN F. SCHRAMM  
 
                                                     John F. Schramm   
                                                     Senior Vice President