Exhibit 23(iii)

                            T.C. EDWARDS & CO., P.C.
                          CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
                                   Since 1902

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE BOSTON BANCORP:

     We consent to incorporation by reference in the Company's Form S-8 (No.
33-76958) Registration Statement of the report dated January 2, 1996, relating
to the consolidated statements of financial condition of The Boston Bancorp and
Subsidiaries of October 31, 1994, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended October 31,
1994 and 1993, which report appears in The Boston Bancorp's annual report to
Stockholders for the year ended October 31, 1995, and which is incorporated by
reference in The Registration Statement.

/s/ T.C. Edwards & Co., P.C.

Woburn, Massachusetts
January 25, 1996


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