EXHIBIT 23.1



                CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTS


         We have  issued  our  report  dated  March  8,  2001  accompanying  the
consolidated financial statements of First Colonial Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
appearing in the 2000 Annual Report of the Company to its shareholders  included
in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2000 which are
incorporated  by reference  in this  Registration  Statement.  We consent to the
incorporation by reference in the Registration  Statement of the  aforementioned
reports.

                                                     GRANT THORNTON LLP



Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
July 16, 2001