Exhibit 23 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 2400 Eleven Penn Center Philadelphia, PA 19103-2962 Phone: (215) 963-8615 Facsimile: (215) 963-8824 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of Progress Financial Corporation on Forms S-3 (File Nos. 333-43109, 333-48039, 033-58377 and 333-74059) and Forms S-8 (File Nos. 333-06107, 033-58781 and 333-72543) of our report dated January 22, 1999 on our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Progress Financial Corporation as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996, which report is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP Philadelphia, Pennsylvania March 26, 1999