Exhibit 23.2



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We have issued our report dated January 19, 1999 accompanying the consolidated
financial statements of Brookline Bancorp, Inc. and subsidiaries included in the
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998 which is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. We consent to the
incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of the aforementioned
report.



/s/Grant Thornton LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
June 14, 1999