Exhibit 23.8



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 February 28, 1994, 
covering the consolidated financial statements of Southern National Corporation 
for the year ended December 31, 1993, included in BB&T Financial's Current 
Report on Form 8-K dated November 7, 1994, and to all references to our firm 
included in this registration statement.


                                                     /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                                     ------------------------
                                                     ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


Charlotte, North Carolina,
    
    November 7, 1994.