1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS






We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated November 22, 1999 relating to the
supplemental financial statements of Fleet Boston Corporation, which appears in
the Current Report on Form 8-K of Fleet Boston Corporation filed November 22,
1999. We also consent to the reference to us under heading "Experts" in such
Registration Statement.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers


Boston, Massachusetts
December 8, 1999