CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the registration  statements of
Triangle Bancorp,  Inc. on Forms S-8 (File Nos. 33-82020,  33-82022,  333-17511,
333-23131, 333-30091 and 333-40931) of our report dated January 19, 1998, on our
audits of the consolidated  financial statements of Triangle Bancorp, Inc. as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1997, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
Raleigh, North Carolina
March 26, 1998