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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement of BostonFed Bancorp, Inc. on Form S-4 of our report dated January
20, 2000, incorporated by reference in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of
BostonFed Bancorp, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 1999 and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus, which is
part of this Registration Statement.


/s/ KPMG LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
February 5, 2001