EXHIBIT (23)(b) CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement (Form S-3) of our report, dated January 29, 1999, relating to the financial statements of Commerce Bank/Harrisburg, N.A. incorporated by reference in its Annual Report (Form 10-KSB) for the year ended December 31, 1998. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the prospectus. /s/ BEARD & COMPANY, INC. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania September 15, 1999 -25-