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                                                                      EXHIBIT 23



                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



The Board of Directors
Banknorth Group, Inc.:


We consent to incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on
Form S-8 (Nos. 33-22205, 33-22206, 33-80310, 333-17467, 333-46367, 333-49999,
333-70095, 333-72909 and 333-36834), on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-34931, 333-64845 and
333-67961) and on Form S-4 (No. 333-61757) of Banknorth Group, Inc. of our
report, dated January 12, 2001, incorporated by reference in the December 31,
2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K of Banknorth Group, Inc.


                                                   /s/ KPMG LLP


Boston, Massachusetts
March 29, 2001