Exhibit 23.6

                    CONSENT OF KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.

                                 March 24, 2003

     We hereby consent to the use of our opinion letter to the Board of
Directors of Bridge View Bancorp included as Annex C to the Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus forming a part of this Registration Statement on Amendment
No. 1 to Form S-4 and to all references to our firm in such Joint Proxy
Statement-Prospectus. In giving such consent, we do not hereby admit that we
come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of
the Securities Act of 1933 or the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder.


                                     KEEFE, BRUYETTE & WOODS, INC.


                                     By:      /s/ Joseph H. Moeller
                                              -----------------------------
                                     Name:    Joseph H. Moeller
                                     Title:   Managing Director