1 Exhibit 23.1 Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Letterhead 345 Park Avenue New York, NY 10154 The Board of Directors Astoria Financial Corporation as acquiror of The Greater New York Savings Bank We consent to incorporation by reference in the Current Report Amendment No. 1 on Form 8-K/A of Astoria Financial Corporation of our report dated January 23, 1997, related to the consolidated statements of financial condition of The Greater New York Savings Bank and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1996, which report is included in the Annual Report to Stockholders of The Greater New York Savings Bank for the year 1996, which report has been incorporated by reference in the December 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form F-2 of The Greater New York Savings Bank. /s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP New York, New York December 12, 1997 4