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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-75133 and 333-46693) of Staten Island Bancorp,
Inc. of our report dated August 15, 2002 relating to the financial statements of
SI Bank & Trust 401(k) Savings Plan, which appears in this Form 11-K.



/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

New York, New York

June 19, 2003