Exhibit 23



                        INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS' CONSENT
                        --------------------------------




The Board of Directors
OceanFirst Financial Corp.:

We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
333-42088) on Form S-8, pertaining to the OceanFirst Financial Corp. 2000 Stock
Option Plan, and in the registration statement (No. 33-34143) on Form S-8,
pertaining to the OceanFirst Financial Corp. 1997 Incentive Plan, and in the
registration statement (No. 33-34145), on Form S-8, pertaining to the Retirement
Plan for OceanFirst Bank, of OceanFirst Financial Corp., of our report dated
January 16, 2002, relating to the consolidated statements of financial condition
of OceanFirst Financial Corp. and subsidiary as of December 31, 2001 and 2000
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, 2001, which report is incorporated by reference in the December 31,
2001 Annual Report on Form 10-K of OceanFirst Financial Corp.

                                                       KPMG LLP

Short Hills, New Jersey
March 20, 2002