EXHIBIT 23.2



                                                                    Exhibit 23.2


                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

We have issued our report dated January 30, 2002 accompanying the financial
statements of Citizens South Banking Corporation (formerly Gaston Federal
Bancorp, Inc.) and subsidiaries as contained in the Rregistration Statement on
Form S-1 and the Form AC of Citizens South Banking Corporation and subsidiaries
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of Thrift
Supervision on or about June 25, 2002. We consent to the use of the
aformentioned reports in the Registration Statement and Prospectus and to the
use of our name as it appears under the caption "Experts" in the Prospectus.

/s/ Cherry, Bekaert & Holland, L.L.P.


Gastonia, North Carolina
June 25, 2002