Exhibit 23.1






                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



      We consent to the incorporation by reference in this registration
statement of Triangle Bancorp, Inc. on Form S-8 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 has been included in
Triangle Bancorp, Inc.'s 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K, and, our report dated
June 16, 1998 on our audits of the supplemental consolidated financial
statements as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the three years in
the period ended December 31, 1997, giving retroactive effect to the merger
consummated on April 16, 1998, which report has been included in the Form 8-K
dated June 17, 1998.


/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
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    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Raleigh, North Carolina
July 31, 1998