EXHIBIT 15

                         STATE STREET BOSTON CORPORATION

                 INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANT'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT LETTER

The Stockholders' and Board of Directors
State Street Boston Corporation

We are aware of the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement
(Form S-8 Nos. 33-57359, 33-38672, 33-38671, 33-2882, 2-93157, 2-88641 and
2-68698) and the Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to Registration Statement (Form
S-8 No. 2-68696) pertaining to various stock option and performance share plans,
and in the Registration Statement (Form S-3 Nos. 333-2143 and 33-49885)
pertaining to the registration of debt securities and preferred stock of State
Street Boston Corporation, of our report dated October 11, 1996 relating to the
unaudited consolidated interim financial statements of State Street Boston
Corporation which are included in its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
30, 1996.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c) of the Securities Act of 1933, our report is not a part
of the registration statements prepared or certified by accountants within the
meaning of Section 7 or 11 of the Securities Act of 1933.

                                                       ERNST & YOUNG LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
November 12, 1996