CONSENT OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS






Board of Directors
First Colonial Group, Inc.

     We  have  issued  our  report  dated  March  8,  2001,   accompanying   the
consolidated  financial  statements  included  in the  Annual  Report  of  First
Colonial Group,  Inc. and  Subsidiaries on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 2000. We hereby consent to the  incorporation by reference of said report in
the Registration  Statements of First Colonial Group, Inc. on Form S-3 (File No.
33-21126, effective July 6, 1989) and on Forms S-8 (File No. 33-84400, effective
September 17, 1994; File No. 333-24745, effective April 8, 1977).




/S/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
Grant Thornton LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
March 28, 2001