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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

Board of Directors
Greene County Bancshares, Inc.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Greene County Bancshares, Inc. on Form S-8 (File No. 333-08609) of our report
dated January 29, 1999, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements
of Greene County Bancshares, Inc. as of December 31, 1998 and 1997, and for each
of the years in the three year period ended December 31, 1998, which report is
included in this Form 10-K.

PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Knoxville, Tennessee
March 25, 1999