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,  333-40931,  333-51553 and 333-53521) of our report dated
June  16,  1998,  on our  audits  of  the  supplemental  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 Current Report on Form 8-K.



/S/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Raleigh, North Carolina
June 16, 1998