EXHIBIT 23(c) CONSENT OF BEARD & COMPANY -------------------------- We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Pre-effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of our report dated January 16, 1998, except for Note 2 as to which the date is January 26, 1998, with respect to the financial statements of Ambassador Bank of the Commonwealth, included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, and to the reference to our Firm under the caption "Experts" in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus. /s/BEARD & COMPANY, INC. Allentown , Pennsylvania - --------------- May 8 , 1998 - ---------------