INTERCHANGE FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                    FORM S-8


                                  EXHIBIT 23(a)







INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in this  Registration  Statement of
Interchange  Financial Services  Corporation  ("Interchange") on Form S-8 of our
report dated  January 19, 2000,  appearing in the Annual  Report on Form 10-K of
Interchange for the year ended December 31, 1999.

/S/ Deloitte & Touche, LLP
__________________________
Parsippany, New Jersey
June 26, 2000