Exhibit 23.4

                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

The Board of Directors
MECH Financial, Inc.


We consent to the use of our report  incorporated herein by reference and to the
reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the joint  prospectus/proxy
statement.

                                                      /s/ KPMG LLP
                                                      --------------------------
                                                          KPMG LLP


Hartford, Connecticut
March 24, 2000