Exhibit 23 Consent

                CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

      We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Annual Report on Form
10-K of Northway Financial, Inc. of our report dated January 18, 2001, relating
to the consolidated statements of financial condition of Northway Financial,
Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the related
consolidated statements of income, changes in stockholders' equity,
comprehensive income and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year
period ended December 31, 2000.

                                    /S/ Shatswell, Macleod & Company, P.C.
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                                    SHATSWELL, MacLEOD & COMPANY, P.C.
West Peabody, Massachusetts
March 9, 2001