EXHIBIT 5



                 [Letterhead of Luse Gorman Pomerenk & Schick]


                                                                       Exhibit 5




(202) 274-2000

August 5, 2002

The Board of Directors
Citizens South Banking Corporation
245 West Main Avenue
Gastonia, North Carolina  28052

                  Re:      Citizens South Banking Corporation
                           Common Stock Par Value $.01 Per Share

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         You have requested the opinion of this firm as to certain matters in
connection with the offer and sale (the "Offering") of the common stock, par
value $0.01 per share ("Common Stock") of Citizens South Banking Corporation
(the "Company"). We have reviewed the Company's Certificate of Incorporation,
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (the "Form S-1"), as well as applicable
statutes and regulations governing the Company and the offer and sale of the
Common Stock.

         We are of the opinion that upon the declaration of effectiveness of the
Form S-1, the Common Stock, when sold, will be legally issued, fully paid and
non-assessable.

         We hereby consent to our firm being referenced under the caption "Legal
Matters" and to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Form S-1.

                                            Very truly yours,



                                            /s/ LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK
                                            ---------------------------------

                                            LUSE GORMAN POMERENK & SCHICK
                                            A PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION