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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
Long Island Bancorp, Inc.

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 October 21,
1997, related to the consolidated statements of financial condition of Long
Island Bancorp, Inc. and Subsidiary as of September 30, 1997 and 1996, and the
related consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity,
and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended September
30, 1997, which report is included in the Annual Report to Stockholders of Long
Island Bancorp, Inc. for the year 1997, which report has been incorporated by
reference in the September 30, 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Long Island
Bancorp, Inc.



/s/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP

New York, New York
December 10, 1998





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